LuminoCity returns to Southend

February 10, 2023

With less than a week to go until the return of Southend’s LuminoCity light extravaganza, brought to you by Southend-on-Sea City Council and headline sponsor, Essex Sound & Light Ltd (ESL), why not plan your visit using the festival map and website at: www.southendluminocity.co.uk.

Its half term between 16 to 18 February, and the festival map reveals a dazzling route through the heart of the City Centre, including the High Street and central seafront. It will be packed with displays and events.

See Ursula Lassos the Moon, a stunning 3D installation reproducing the surface details and textures of the moon in the gardens at Central Museum. High street light installations include PULSE, sponsored by Southend City Bid, featuring a series of 4.5 metre diameter rings, each with 14,400 individually programmable LEDs, creating a tunnel of ever-changing light.

At Lightbattle located at Royal Square, sponsored by Forward Motion South Essex, you will experience the Dutch cultural heritage of cycling in a completely different way. Visitors can compete against each other by riding static bikes which help power LED lighting under three interactive arches. Let battle commence!

And we haven’t forgotten music, come and see legendary Southend DJs from the past five decades pumping out tunes on Southend seafront under a giant disco ball at Disco City. Sponsored by Atlantic Pacific Group, Disco City shines a light on the night life heritage of Southend-on-Sea and is a celebration of all the ballrooms, dance halls, and nightclubs of the City.

Cllr Carole Mulroney, cabinet member for environment, culture and tourism, said: “LuminoCity attracted over 200,000 visitors last year and we hope that, with the incredible new displays, this year will be even more popular! Our City Centre car parks are free after 6pm but they will get very busy during LuminoCity.

“So I would encourage visitors to make use of all transport links including the extensive bus network and the two direct train lines of C2C and Abellio Greater Anglia – both stations have LuminoCity installations close by and make for great starting points.

“More details will be released early next week but Southend Airport will also be offering free parking from 3pm to midnight on each day of the festival. So you could even choose to park there and hop on the train which is only a couple of stops away.

“I highly recommend using the festival map and website to help you plan and navigate your way around all of the wonderful installations on display. You won’t want to miss any!

For full festivals details including map and travel details visit: www.southendluminocity.co.uk.

Details of all Southend car park are available on the council website.