Spectacular light show will return to York next year – this time on its biggest ever canvas.
York BID is bringing Colour & Light back for 2026 to not one, but two iconic York locations.
For the first time, two of York’s landmark buildings will be illuminated together, as York Castle Museum and Clifford’s Tower become a combined stage for a fully choreographed projection show, transforming the Eye of York.
In partnership with York Museums Trust and English Heritage, and made possible thanks to funding from the York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority, the event returns on its largest scale yet.
The continuous, looped, 10 minute show will bring York’s historic characters to life in a family-friendly projection that’s open to all, completely free to see and with no tickets required. It will run 6-9pm nightly from Wednesday 4 to Sunday 22 February 2026.
The event aims to encourage people into the city centre during some of the coldest and darkest weeks of the year, offering an uplifting, after-dark experience for local people, families and visitors, and celebrating York’s status as the UK’s only UNESCO City of Media Arts.
Carl Alsop, operations manager at York BID, said; “Colour & Light has become a real bright spot in York’s winter calendar, and we’re proud to be bringing it back bigger than ever for 2026.
“Making the event completely free is incredibly important to us – it means anyone can come into the city centre, enjoy the atmosphere, and experience our city after dark.
“By working with York Museums Trust and English Heritage, we’ve been able to create a show on our biggest scale yet and we can’t wait for everyone to see it.”
Since its launch in 2023, Colour & Light has grown into one of York’s most popular winter attractions, with last year’s edition at York Minster drawing more than 100,000 people.
York Museums Trust last participated in 2024, when the projections of artwork across the ages lit up the front of York Art Gallery.
Siona Mackelworth, head of audience and programme at York Museums Trust, said; “The 2026 show brings something different as it explores some of York’s potentially lesser-known history and, for the first time, will be projected across multiple buildings.
“Working in conjunction with York BID and English Heritage at Clifford’s Tower has been an exciting venture in bringing two iconic York locations together.”
