Thousands flock to see Colour & Light 2026 in York

February nights can be a bit gloomy, can’t they? It gets dark early, it’s chilly, and everyone’s just waiting for spring to show up. But in York, something pretty special is happening to brighten things up. The city is literally being lit up by an incredible light show, and it seems like everyone wants a piece of the action. The Colour & Light 2026 event has already pulled in massive crowds, with thousands of visitors gathering to see historic buildings transformed into a dazzling canvas. It’s a huge, free show that’s proving to be the perfect antidote to the winter blues.

So, what’s all the fuss about?

Imagine standing in front of two of York’s most famous landmarks, the York Castle Museum and the iconic Clifford’s Tower, as they completely change before your eyes. That’s what’s happening every single night. This isn’t just a couple of coloured lights pointed at a wall; it’s a full-on story-telling experience. The Colour & Light 2026 show uses some seriously clever projection technology from the wizards at Double Take Projections to tell tales of York’s most famous rogues, rebels, and legends. It’s like watching a movie, but the screen is a castle.

The whole thing is perfectly timed to music, creating a ten-minute spectacle that brings history to life in a way you’ve never seen. The best viewing spot is the Eye of York, which has become a brilliant gathering point for the whole community. Families, couples, and groups of friends are all wrapping up warm and heading down to watch. And because the show runs in a continuous loop every 10 minutes, there’s no stress about getting there at a specific time. You can just turn up, find a good spot, and soak it all in. The amazing visuals of the projection are so impressive that professional photography from people like Amy D'Agorne is capturing the magic for everyone to see.

A massive hit with the crowds

When you put on a free event, you hope people will come. But the response to Colour & Light 2026 has been phenomenal. In just its first week, an estimated 24,000 people have flocked to see the show. That’s a huge number of visitors. On the first Saturday night, things hit a peak when more than 1,200 people gathered to watch a single ten-minute showing. It just goes to show how much people are loving this unique experience. Even when the weather has been typically British and a bit wet, the atmosphere has been fantastic. It's a real testament to the power of a great public event.

Carl Alsop, who is the Operations Manager at York BID, the team behind the event, has been blown away by the turnout. He said: “Seeing over 1,200 people gathered together for one show on that first Saturday really highlighted what Colour & Light has become - a moment people experience together in the city centre. Despite the very wet weather we’re experiencing at the moment, the atmosphere has been strong each night, with people meeting up, bringing family and enjoying York after dark. There’s still time to see it, and we hope many more people will take the opportunity.”

Why this event is a bright idea for York

This spectacular light show is about more than just looking at pretty patterns on old buildings. It’s a really smart way to support the city. February is usually a quiet time for local shops, cafes, and restaurants. By putting on a big, free attraction like this, the organisers are giving people a brilliant reason to come into the city centre in the evening. This helps local businesses by boosting the night-time economy when they need it most. People might pop out for a bite to eat before the show, or grab a hot chocolate to keep warm while they watch. It all helps keep the high street buzzing.

David Skaith, the Mayor of York & North Yorkshire, also highlighted how important events like this are for the community. He said: "High streets are constantly changing, but they have, and always will be, hubs for our communities. That's why I'm backing community led projects across York and North Yorkshire. Like Colour and Light in York, which brings people into the city centre with a light show projected onto some of York’s best-known buildings. It’s a simple but creative way to attract visitors and give everyone something special to enjoy. Residents and businesses understand most what is needed in their communities, and I am proud to be backing their plans with my £10m Vibrant and Sustainable High Street Fund." This is a great example of how a creative idea can have a really positive impact on the whole city, right here in England.

The nitty-gritty: how to see the show

Thinking of heading down? Good choice. Here’s everything you need to know about the Colour & Light 2026 event. The best part is the cost - it's completely free for everyone to enjoy.

• Dates: The show is on every single night from now until Sunday 22nd February 2026.

• Times: The first projection starts at 6pm and they run every 10 minutes until the last one at 9pm.

• Cost: Absolutely nothing! It’s completely free and you don’t need a ticket. Just turn up.

• Best Viewing Point: For the best view of both the York Castle Museum and Clifford's Tower, head to the Eye of York, York, YO1 9WZ.

There is still plenty of time left to catch this incredible projection display, so don’t miss out on seeing York in a whole new light. It’s the perfect family-friendly evening out and a fantastic celebration of the city’s amazing history and community spirit.