Everything You Need to Know About … Northern Lights

What is Northern Lights?

Northern Lights is a series of stunning light installations – with accompanying audio compositions – spread across a one-mile trail through Leazes Park. The event is brought to us by the From The Fields, the production team behind such successful events as the Bluedot and Kendal Calling festivals (who've also worked with artists like Bjork, The Chemical Brothers and Tom Jones), and with light and sound design by a team with experience working for things like Glastonbury and Kew Gardens. As the evening gets dark the park will become a wonderland of light and sound that’s bound to entrance the whole family.

What can people expect from the trail?

Along the one-mile trail there will be a series of installations – 14 are planned – each with its own sound design and distinctive style. Using the natural surroundings of the park and its buildings as a canvas, the length of the trail will be a blaze of colour. For example, there's Aurora Rising, a carefully constructed collection of balls, floating in mid-air above the lake and moving in synch with the specially composed soundtrack. Or The Laser Garden, a battery of laser beams cutting through a haze to create something visually magical. 

The trail takes around an hour to complete but you’re invited to take your time, make use of the park benches to take it all in and there’s no need to hurry round.

The funds raised by the event will be used to repair the park's amenities - specifically play equipment - so families have somewhere fun and safe to play. There'll be a Play Park Fundraiser on December 23rd (marking the park's official birthday), featuring a community choir singing carols among the lights.

Where is Northern Lights taking place?

Northern Lights is taking place in Leazes Park, one of Newcastle’s best-loved and oldest green spaces (in fact, the event coincides with the park’s 150^th anniversary and has been developed in collaboration with Urban Green Newcastle). The trail starts and finishes by the southern entrance to the park near Barrack Road.

When is it taking place?

Northern Lights will be running from November 23^rd until January 1^st, with the exception of November 27^th-29^th and Christmas Day. It will open at 4pm each day until 10pm (there may be some variations to this so it’s best to check the website).

What else is happening at Leazes Park during Northern Lights? 

Northern Lights comes complete with a Christmas Village at the start / end of the trail. This is going to be populated by some of Newcastle’s most popular street food vendors – including Fat Hippo, Acropolis and Shake & Bake. So there’ll be plenty of pizza, kebabs, burgers and the rest!  There will be also some vintage fairground rides, to add to the feeling of magic and nostalgia. And once you’ve completed the trail you’re welcome to stay in the park till it closes at 10pm so you can make an evening of it.

How accessible is Northern Lights?

Because the trail is using the paths through the park, it’s fully accessible to anyone who’d like to come: people using pushchairs, buggies and wheelchairs will all be fine taking part.

How much are tickets?

There are various ticket options – check out the booking website here – but adult tickets are £19.00, tickets for kids from 3 to 16 years old are £13.50 and under threes go free. A family ticket (2 adults and 2 children or 1 adult and 3 children) is £61.48. Booking is essential to secure one of the daily slots, which run from 4pm to 8.15pm.

Northern Lights is a really exciting addition to the festive calendar, a visually stunning event that will delight everyone who sees it. So gather the family, immerse yourselves in colours and sounds and enjoy a hot chocolate or some hotdogs at the end!

[All photos are from a previous Northern Lights Event]