A free two-night light art event is returning to Brandon this March, bringing immersive projection artwork and a new community mural to the town centre.
Light Up The Town 2026 takes place on Friday 6th and Saturday 7th March, with events centred around St Peter’s Church and Brandon Heritage Centre.
Inside St Peter’s Church from 6-8pm on both evenings, visitors can experience Water Portals, an interactive video installation by Suffolk artist Henry Driver. The artwork explores the hidden world of microbes in our rivers, lakes and seas, and the impact climate change is having on them. Visitors can also take part in projection art workshops led by Henry during the event. Much of Henry’s work is influenced by his background in farming and his experience of the effects of climate change on the land. Water Portals was developed in collaboration with scientists from the Centre for Environment, Fisheries and Aquaculture Science and the University of East Anglia, and was produced using solar energy.
The weekend begins at 5pm on the Friday with the unveiling of a new mural at Brandon Heritage Centre. Created following engagement sessions with local youth group Teen Chill and painted by mural artist Luke McDonnell, the piece celebrates Brandon’s heritage, landscape and community spirit. The mural includes UV glowing elements, designed to be revealed as part of the wider light art programme.
“As someone who’s always banging the drum for our local community, I feel incredibly lucky to be part of this exciting project,” said Gary Brocklehurst, Chair of Brandon Heritage Centre. “It’s inspiring to work alongside people who genuinely care, and I can’t wait to see it come to life, bring people together, and make a real, positive difference where it matters most.”
Light Up The Town is designed to brighten the late winter months with accessible, free cultural events. No booking is required.
“We’re thrilled to be back in Brandon and reconnect with the hundreds of locals who joined us for our pilot year in 2025,” said Creative Producer, Maddie Exton. “Last year we brought international projection artists to animate artworks by local people onto local landmarks. This year we are creating immersive experiences inside churches and expanding the programme. We’re particularly excited about the creation of a new mural with Teen Chill, which will go on to be of permanent benefit to the town.”
