Bringing light, art, and community together.
Light Up Fest is a vibrant, community-driven celebration by Autin Dance Theatre in partnership with Midlands Arts Centre (MAC), featuring awe-inspiring performances, interactive installations, and large-scale processions. Bringing light, movement, and creativity to public spaces, the festival invites audiences to explore themes of connection, resilience, and hope. Light Up Fest is where art meets community, transforming ordinary spaces into extraordinary experiences.
Dont forget to book!
The event is FREE, but as spaces are limited, booking is essential. Book now to avoid disappointment.
Current FREE Opportunities
✨ Light Up Fest is back! ✨ Cannon Hill Park – Saturday 21st February 2026
We’d love for you to join and return to our FREE Lantern-Making Workshops at Midlands Arts Centre – MAC Birmingham.
Come along to our fun, inclusive, and safe workshops where you can design and make your own lantern.
The first workshop date to kick things off is on Tuesday 9th December 2025, 5pm to 7pm at MAC (following sessions are on Tues 20th Jan, Tues 27th Jan, Tues 3rd Feb, and Tues 10th Feb)
Join us again for a magical lantern procession around the park as we celebrate creativity, community, and light! We’ll walk together at dusk, filling the park with colour and handmade lanterns created by several local schools and community groups.
For more info email hello@autindt.co.uk & natasha@autindt.co.uk and visit https://autindt.co.uk/light–up–fest/
Lantern Making Workshops as part of Birmingham Light Festival
Light Up Fest Lantern Making Workshops as part of Birmingham Light Festival are welcoming, hands-on community sessions inviting families, young people, and visitors of all ages to come together and create beautiful, illuminated lanterns inspired by light, connection, and love.
Hosted by the Pen Museum and led by artists from Autin Dance Theatre, these workshops offer the chance to design, build, and decorate your own sustainable lantern using bamboo, willow, and tissue paper, finished with battery-powered LED lights.
Each workshop space glows with warm light and gentle music, creating a relaxed and friendly atmosphere for creativity, conversation, and togetherness. Step-by-step guidance and accessible materials are provided, and no previous experience is needed — just curiosity.
As part of the experience, the Pen Museum will also offer the incredible opportunity to make your own pen, adding an extra layer of creativity and discovery to the session.
After the workshop, take your lantern home and enjoy a candlelit tour of the Pen Museum. Then, the following weekend on Saturday 21 February — bring your lantern along to join the Lantern Procession at Midlands Arts Centre (MAC).
Booking & Information
Cost: The workshops are FREE, but spaces are limited, so booking is essential.
Dates: Thursday 12 – Saturday 14 February
Time: 5.00pm – 7.30pm
Location
Pen Museum, Jewellery Quarter The Argent Centre 60 Frederick Street Jewellery Quarter B1 3HS, Birmingham
Links
Book via: bit.ly/ADT-penmuseum
Find out more: birminghamlightfestival.co.uk/events-lantern-making-workshop
Make Your Own Lantern at MAC and Join the Parade
from 4.30pm and sets off at 5.15pm, and participants are welcome to stay a little longer if needed to finish their lantern.
Light Up Fest is back, and we need you!
Get Involved!
We have partnered with United by 2022 to provide volunteers at our festival. Please sign up to their portal by Saturday 31st January 2026 using the following sign up button above.
Project’s Impact
Social, Cultural, and Artistic Outcomes
– Building stronger community connections through shared creative experiences
– Celebrating diversity and inclusivity in the arts
– Inspiring audiences to see public spaces in a new light—literally and metaphorically.
“Light Up Fest has transformed Birmingham’s urban spaces into hubs of artistic expression, fostering a sense of pride and belonging among participants while sparking curiosity and delight in audiences.”
How Participants Can Engage
– Call for volunteers to help with lantern-making workshops or parade logistics.
– Open invitations for schools, community groups, or local artists to participate.
– Encourage families to join interactive sessions and attend Lantern Procession performances.
We’re inviting local schools and community groups to join us in creating illuminated art for the festival parade! No prior experience needed—just bring your creativity!
We’re inviting local schools and community groups to join us in creating illuminated art for the festival parade! No prior experience needed—just bring your creativity!
Join us again for our 2nd edition of Light Up Fest in 2026 (Saturday 21 February 2026)—a celebration of light, movement, and community! Reserve your spot now and be part of the magic, email us at hello@autindt.co.uk
Join us again for our 2nd edition of Light Up Fest in 2026 (to be confirmed)—a celebration of light, movement, and community! Reserve your spot now and be part of the magic, email us at hello@autindt.co.uk
Show Credits
Artistic Director:
Johnny Autin
Learning and Participation Manager:
Natasha Boyes
Workshop Leaders:
Natasha Boyes, Anghara Jones, Hannah Woodlife, Tori Drew & Freya Davis
BSL Interpreter: Olivia Whitter
Olivia Whitter
Special Notes:
Accessibility: This is BSL interpreted performance
Senior Producer:
Annalise McIntyre
Project Coordinator:
Kirsten Tranter
Performing acts:
Sign Spinning UK, False Feet Stiltst, Ashbourne Festival and some special appearances
Music:
TBA soon
Participating Organisations and Schools:
Loop Learning, West Midlands Creation Centre, Chandos School, Colmore Junior School, BHCATS, Lift montgomery Primary School, Autistic Girls Network, Uffculme School & Micro Rainbow
Our Sponsors & Supporters
This project is proudly delivered by Autin Dance Theatre, commissioned and supported by Midlands Arts Centre
Upcoming Tour Dates
Use the filter to select Light Up Fest