In partnership with the City Curator and supported by Colmore BID, OPUS were commissioned to produce a test event to explore the feasibility of a city wide light festival in 2025.

Illuminating the city centre as we sprung forward into daylight saving time, and delivering an important message of sharing the love in challenging times, Light is Coming took place in Snow Hill Square for three nights in March 2024.

The dazzling giant heart-shaped mirror ball from Studio Vertigo reflected natural light during the day, and as the sun sets, it transformed the space with fantastical dancing lights and an eye-catching wash of colour.

As part of the test event, we trialed peripheral programming to gauge audience appetite for participatory events which enhanced the experience. On the Saturday, over 500 people came along to dance at the silent disco. We worked with social Enterprise, Skate Buddies, to perform dance demos and warmly welcome people onto the dance floor in true brummie spirit. Every demographic was represented on the dancefloor, widely reflecting the diversity of Birmingham.

OPUS are continuing to work together with a wide range of city stakeholders on the planning inaugural edition of Birmingham Light Festival for the benefit of the people of the city.

It was much more beautiful than I'd imagined...It feels like one big party

- Birmingham Live

Skate Buddies really enjoyed this event and when sharing it on our social media we kept getting asked if this event was going to be happening again. What I took from this event was the fact that a very ordinary everyday space can be transformed into a space that brings different people and communities together. This event was amazing and I would love to do this again...you have amazing and innovative ways of bringing people together

- Empress, Founder of Skate Buddies

100%

Would like to see more light events like this in Birmingham

117.7%

Increase on Saturday footfall compared with 2023

10

Roller Skating participants

520

Visitors danced at the silent disco

12

hours of live activity

34.7k views

On X posts alone by Colmore Bid

When asked how the installation made people feel, the most common answer was

HAPPY!

All photos by Verity Milligan

Click the photos to enlarge

Light is Coming - OPUS/Colmore BID (c) Verity Milligan

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OPUS provided:

Creative direction, event design and programme producing
Artist liaison and contracting;
Stakeholder, landowner and City Council liaison;
Graphic design services for digital assets and onsite signage;
Production and Technical management, and full supplier management;
Creative evaluation design, onsite surveys and full project data analysis;
Event Management Plans, including full RAMS and adverse weather planning.

Events like this make the city special. We need reasons to encourage people back into the city and this did exactly that.

Audience Feedback

Brightened up and brought life to a drab public space that is usually empty during the evening

Such a memorable moment for me and my friends to join a special gathering of strangers and dance alongside a beautiful installation. Thank you!

I have never seen the square look so pretty and different. It made me want to stay and spend time there

My daughters comment was ‘thank you so much mommy for bringing me to such fun things, can we have a silent disco at home’ she was one happy customer!

It makes it feel like a place, rather than a place you pass through. It feels less like a ghost town.

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