Light Up Sheffield to transform the city centre with light, words and storytelling this January
Three iconic buildings. A poetic neon light-art trail. One City. Many Stories.
Sheffield BID has announced the return of Light Up Sheffield, with an expanded programme that will transform Sheffield city centre from 15 January to 3 February 2027.
Building on the success of the event's debut in 2025, Light Up Sheffield will combine spectacular large-scale building projections along with a new poetic light-art trail, creating opportunities for people to explore the city centre during the darkest weeks of winter.
At the heart of the event, three iconic Sheffield buildings will become giant canvases for a series of immersive projection experiences:
- Sheffield Cathedral
- Sheffield Hallam University's Owen Building
- Sheffield Hallam University's Old Post Office
Running daily from 4.30pm until 10pm, the projections will transform familiar landmarks through light, animation and storytelling, offering visitors a new perspective on some of the city's most recognisable buildings.
Complementing the building projections will be IN OTHER WORDS - A Poetic Light-Art Trail, an illuminated trail of neon artworks hosted across six city centre locations and designed by local artist Alastair Flindall. The trail will invite visitors to follow a route through Sheffield city centre, discovering creative installations, unexpected moments of poetry and new reasons to explore different parts of the city.
Together, the projections and trail form part of a single city centre experience built around the theme: One City. Many Stories.
Diane Jarvis, Chief Executive of Sheffield BID, said:
"January can be one of the most challenging months of the year for city centres. The festive season has ended, the Christmas lights have come down, and many people spend less time in town during the darker evenings.
“Light Up Sheffield is designed not only to attract visitors but also to create a brighter, more welcoming city centre for the thousands of people who are already here every day, whether that's for work, study, shopping or socialising.
“The weekend programme will provide a great reason to make a special visit, while the daily projections and installations will help create moments of surprise, creativity and discovery throughout the city centre across the three-week period.
“We want people to experience Sheffield in a different light and to be reminded that even in January, the city centre is a vibrant place to be."
While weekends are expected to attract the largest dedicated audiences, all installations will operate throughout the event period, helping to create a brighter and more welcoming city-centre atmosphere for workers, students, residents and visitors during the winter months.
Whether people make a special trip or simply encounter the installations as part of their everyday journey, Light Up Sheffield is designed to enhance the experience of being in the city centre after dark.
The event will also be supported by participating city centre businesses, with visitors encouraged to make an evening of their visit by enjoying food, drink and entertainment across the city centre.
Light Up Sheffield forms part of Sheffield BID's wider programme of activity to encourage people to discover, explore and enjoy more of Sheffield city centre throughout the year.
Dates: 15 January - 3 February 2027
Times: Daily, 4.30pm - 10pm
Admission: n/a - Free