Garden of Light, a new large-scale light event, has been announced for Newark town
centre this spring, bringing illuminated art, performance and interactive experiences to Newark Market Place and St Mary’s Magdalene Church.
Taking place on Saturday 7th March 2026, from 6pm to 9pm, Garden of Light will
transform the town centre after dark with light installations, projections, live
performance and participatory activity, creating a free evening event for all ages.
The event celebrates themes of renewal, growth and community, marking the transition
from winter into spring through colour, light and shared experiences. Visitors will be
encouraged to explore the town centre and encounter a mix of spectacle and hands-on
moments throughout the evening.
Programme highlights will include a lantern parade curated by Lumo Workshop, featuring
spring-themed lanterns created with local schools, community groups and residents. The
parade will feature later in the evening as a shared moment of light and movement
through the town centre.
Audiences can also expect illuminated walkabout puppets, live brass performances,
immersive installations, interactive projections, a silent disco and family-friendly creative
activities across the event footprint. Local businesses and town centre venues will be
open during the event, offering food and drink options throughout the evening.
Councillor Claire Penny, Portfolio Holder for Sustainable Economic Development at
Newark and Sherwood District Council, said “Events play a key part in attracting footfall
into our town centres and The Garden of Light is set to deliver an exciting activity the
whole family can enjoy. We’ve had great success in the past with ‘A Likely Story’ light show
and the 18-metre-long whale which were both part of the Newark Cultural Heart Initiative,
funded by the UK Government’s Local Regeneration Fund and this event hopes to build on
their success. We’re thrilled to collaborate with We Are Newark and Checkmate
Productions on this spectacular event, which promises to be an unforgettable
experience!”
Matthew Gleadell, Town Clerk at Newark Town Council added ‘Newark is regarded as one
of the finest historic market squares in the country. Its impressive range of historic
buildings will provide the perfect canvas for the use of modern lighting projection
technology to bring the buildings to life in a way not seen before. Complemented by a
range of family friendly activities the event will be a great opportunity to come and
experience the historic town centre in a very different way’.
The Garden of Light is being delivered by Checkmate Productions as part of the Newark
Cultural Heart Initiative, funded by the UK Government’s Local Regeneration Fund. The
programme is overseen locally by the Newark Town Board and administered by Newark
and Sherwood District Council. The Garden of Light event is supported by We Are Newark,
a community platform established to help deliver, promote and connect the work of the
Newark Town Board and community groups across Newark.
Katie-Lou Green for Checkmate Productions said “Garden of Light brings together
large-scale art, performance and community creativity to create something joyful and
unexpected in the heart of Newark. This announcement gives a first glimpse of what’s
planned, with more programme details to be shared soon.”
Emma Holden from We Are Newark added “Garden of Light is an exciting new event for
Newark town centre, bringing together creativity, culture and community participation.
Events like this play an important role in encouraging people to spend time in the town
centre and experience it in new and engaging ways.”
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