Northern Lights Newcastle Wrap up 2023 as a Sparkling Success
Northern Lights bids adieu to 2023 – the launch year of its enchanted light trail at Newcastle’s Leazes Park. As Northern Lights 2023 comes to an end, the magical light trail has proven to be a resounding success, attracting over 100,000 visitors in its debut year, across five weeks.
With admiration and praise from both visitors and the press, Northern Lights quickly became a must-see experience and an integral part of the city's winter celebrations, leaving an unforgettable mark on the North East’s festive landscape.
Curated by the family-owned business 'From The Fields,' Northern Lights transformed Leazes Park into a magical world of immersive visuals, original audio compositions, and jaw-dropping illuminations. The event, in collaboration with Urban Green Newcastle the charity that cares for Newcastle’s parks and allotments, showcased the talents of local and national artists and creators, delivering a mile-long audio-visual spectacular.
The journey through the trail in the Victorian Leazes Park left a lasting impression on attendees, with many reporting a real "wow" moment such as Samantha Rickelton from North East Family Fun describing the light trail as a "real night out with a difference, taking Christmas in Newcastle to another level!” Visitors also described Northern Lights Newcastle as an "immensely impressive light show" and “a truly amazing experience for all to enjoy”.
Beyond the enchanting lights, Northern Lights gave back to the community by launching a fundraiser to revitalise the children’s playpark, through matching all donations made by its ticket buyers. Northern Lights has helped raise almost £6k so far [with more donations expected] to restore and repair the play park equipment in Leazes Park.
Carol Pyrah, Chief Executive of Urban Green Newcastle, said; “2023 was a very special year for Leazes Park as it marked 150 years since the park was first opened to the public. Northern Lights was a wonderful way to celebrate this milestone and showcase the city's first public park. Just as thousands of people would have flocked to Leazes Park when it opened in December 1873, last December saw more than 100,000 people enjoy the amazing spectacle that was Northern Lights.”
Northern Lights also partnered with the children’s ward at the Royal Victoria Infirmary with the heart-warming collaboration ‘Luminary Lane’, which featured 80 pieces of artwork crafted by young patients that were beautifully projected onto the paths of the trail.
As Northern Lights Newcastle marks the end of its first year, Event Director Roxy Robinson expressed her excitement, stating, "The whole team is overwhelmed with the support and positive feedback we've received from visitors following our first year of Northern Lights. Newcastle has welcomed us with open arms, and the warmth of the community has made this journey truly extraordinary. The enthusiasm from those who came along to see the trail has been nothing short of amazing. "
To ensure you don’t miss out on the latest information, we recommend signing up for their newsletter: https://northernlightsnewcastle.com
