Barnsley Bright Nights 2023

Tens of thousands of people turned out to Barnsley’s Bright Nights Festival 2023, which included the busiest Saturday since the opening of The Glass Works.
The festive fun got underway with the Christmas Lights Switch-On in The Glass Works Square on the Friday and was followed up with free live entertainment, exhibitions and creative art displays across Barnsley town centre.
Popular activations included The Light Looper - a giant deconstructed arcade game at Barnsley College - and life-size replicas of the TARDIS and Daleks from Doctor Who near the Alhambra Shopping Centre.
The festival concluded on Saturday evening with The Bright Nights Parade. A true family favourite, the parade saw a host of community groups and exciting art performers take the streets and journey through the town centre from Mandela Gardens to The Glass Works Square - creating a vibrant and visual treat for watchers.
Participating venues at this year’s Bright Nights Festival included The Glass Works, St Mary’s Church, The Civic, Barnsley College, Experience Barnsley, The Cooper Gallery. Parkway Cinema, Library @ The Lightbox and the Alhambra Shopping Centre.
Bright Nights is a member of Light Up the North, a network of light festivals taking place across the North of England and it has been funded by Arts Council England.