The popular Gravesham Light Festival is back this January. This years theme is Circus of Light and will illuminate our streets on Friday 24 & Saturday 25 January 2025.
This years theme is the Circus of Life, which will illuminate the streets of Gravesend in the dark days of winter with a joyous, ambitious celebration of fun and creativity, interaction and installation.
With a promenading Disco Turtle, trapeze artists suspended on a travelling storm ship along with dazzling circus performers and a canopy of illuminated jelly fish. It could be that there is something for everyone as we celebrate the power of assembly and enjoy the spectacle in the Circus of Life.
Aquanauts Adrift - By Enter Edem (1)
St George’s Church Gardens
Procession & show 6pm & 7.30pm from outside St George’s Arts Centre
Join the fantastical world of vintage deep-sea divers as they trawl their giant bubble net through the streets. Marvel at their whimsical bin liner and barnacle aesthetic, their eye-catching bubble helmets, and the mesmerising underwater atmosphere they create.Interactive Walkabouts and static performances.
Pocahontas the Elephant - By Jonny Dixon (2)
St George’s Church Gardens
Enter the magical world of Pocahontas the Elephant, one of the most playful and enchanting characters of the Gravesham Light Festival. Nestled inside her glowing, bespoke big top tent in St George’s Church gardens, Pocahontas is ready to delight visitors of all ages with her colourful charm and larger-than-life personality.
Step Right In – Sensory Igloos - By National Autistic Society/Artrack (3)
St George’s Church Gardens
Take a moment to rest in our calming sensory igloos with comfy beanbags, gentle projections and relaxing music.
Silent Disco (4)
St George’s Arts Centre. Get ready to groove at the Circus of Life with a Silent Disco like no other! Taking over St George’s Arts Centre, this unique experience lets you choose your own soundtrack and dance the night away under the glow of the festival lights.
Light Ship - By Circo Rum Ba Ba (5)
High Street based at the Quadrant. Approx show times (6.45pm,7.30pm) voyaging up and down the High St
Set sail on a journey of light and drama with Circo Rum Ba Ba’s The Light Ship. This glowing frigate will navigate the streets, battling raging storms and heaving waves as it tells a tale of courage, teamwork, and the indomitable spirit of the sea complete with trapeze artist.
Disco Turtle - By Emergency Exit Arts (6)
High Street based at Town Pier Square. Approx show times(5.45pm,7pm) funking up and down the High St. Get ready to groove with the Disco Turtle, a shining star of this year’s Circus of Life! This dazzling creation is more than just an installation, it’s a fully mobile party machine that will have you dancing in the streets of Gravesham.
Laser Circus Spectacular - By Laserfire (7)
St Andrew’s Quayside Approx show times (6pm,6.45pm,7.30pm,8pm).
New for 2025, don't miss Laserfire’s spectacular light show! Multi-coloured lasers will illuminate the skies above St Andrew’s Quayside, creating jugglers and jesters, lions and clowns alongside the river Thames.
Waterside Wonders - By Howard Griffin (8)
St Andrew’s Quayside. Discover the stories of our intriguing riverside communities with this extraordinary new installation piece projected onto the iconic Gravesham landmark, St Andrew’s Arts Centre.
Good Times - By Mark Whitehouse (9)
Location TBC
A welcome return for Good Times, a kinetic light and music installation that celebrates the foreshore factory workers of Gravesend and Northfleet and the vibrant nightlife that offered a weekend respite.
Wayfinding Clowns - By Mona Whitton (10)
One of the new commissions created for this event offers a novel way to navigate the festival. Illuminated signage will guide you around the installations and activities and, from time to time, you may meet some helpful
Let’s Glow - Exhibition (11)
St George’s Arts Centre. Accompanying the Silent Disco – an amazing exhibition by local artists that glows and glows!
Circus Workshops – by Kinetic Circus (12)
St George’s Shopping Centre. Hone your juggling and diablo skills – learn how to really spin plates. Drop in Circus skills for the whole family.
Craft Workshops - By Andy Hopton & Enter Edem (13)
St George’s Shopping Centre.
Create your own Light Festival Hat with Andy Hopton. Jellyfish making workshop with Enter Edem and Aquanauts Adrift.
Walkabout Circus Acts (14)
Various Locations.
The Circus of Life heats up with an electrifying line-up of performers! Prepare to be amazed as fire eaters, hula hoopers, jugglers and stilt walkers light up the night with dazzling skills and breath-taking energy.
Lights and Music at Hatch (15)
Gravesend Borough Market.
Head to Kent’s only indoor street food market for live music and a fantastic light show. While you’re there, enjoy food from over 12 different stalls, have a game of digital darts or enjoy a cocktail or two!.
Music on the Pier (16)
Gravesend Town Pier.
The pop-up café on the pier returns for the Light Festival with Installations, live music, food and hot drinks providing the perfect opportunity to take a moment and relax on the world’s oldest cast iron pier.