Light Up Middleport Gallery

“We absolutely love this! Truly just like magic .”

Families flocked to the first event in our ✨Light Up Winter✨ series, which was held in Middleport Park on 21 and 22 January.

The event featured immersive light installations and sound experiences The Matter of the Heart by idontloveyouanymore, Circo Tree and Faceboard by Dan Fox and Sound Intervention, and Flying Fish by Wild Rumpus, as well as lanterns made by B Arts and community members.

Were you there? If so we’d really appreciate your feedback via this survey, which you can fill out for all three of the Light Up Winter events.

Sad it’s over?

Not to worry – you can still soak up the atmosphere thanks to these stunning photos from Andrew Billington as well as some fantastic content captured by visitors from We Love Stoke and BBC Stoke & Staffordshire.

Relive all three events in the series by heading to the Light Up Hanley Gallery and Newcastle Under Light Gallery pages.

Thank you to our event partners Middleport Matters Community Trust, event funder Denise Coates Foundation, and to the production team at PH Production Services Ltd for supporting every step of the way and helping make the event feel truly magical.

What an incredibly joyous way to spend a winter’s evening. Rooted in the community and simply beautiful art. Thank you.

Brilliant! Really enjoyed this one.

Wonderful experience exploring interactive art and celebrating our cultural heritage in light and colour, embracing our community.

Wonderful, welcoming & friendly volunteers elevate a brilliant event even further. Thank you!

I really enjoyed it, very calming and atmospheric. Thankyou

👏👏👏

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Light Up Middleport Access & FAQs

Here is everything we think you might need to know about planning your visit to Light Up Middleport. If you have another question that isn’t answered here, send us a message to askus@appetite.org.uk

Do I need a ticket?

No! Light Up Middleport, Light Up Hanley, and Newcastle Under Light, are all free to attend. The events are suitable for all ages, and everyone is welcome! Simply drop by at any point within the opening times and stay for as long as you like. There’s no need to book, and we would absolutely love it if you came to all three events. (See the linked event pages for times and dates.)

Location

The installations are all going to be around the bowling green area of Middleport Park, so there isn’t far to walk between them.

Where can I park?

If you live close by, consider walking to the event if you can. If you are coming by car, please be respectful to local residents and park responsibly as follows:

Blue badge parking is available on Navigation Street.

General on-street parking is available at Newport Lane.

Please DO NOT PARK on Milvale Street, as it will have a controlled closure for the event.

What facilities will there be?

– First Aid will be available

– Stewards and staff to guide you and give assistance

– There will be portable toilets at the event, including an accessible loo

– Vendor vans where you can purchase hot food and drinks

How accessible is Light Up Middleport?

Here are some points to consider, and provisions that we have put in place.

– It will be dark for the majority of the event. As a light-based evening event, the best effect will be during full dark. Sunset is predicted for approximately 4.30pm that day, so If you prefer not to be out when it’s fully dark, join us at the opening time of 4pm when visibility will be better.

– For extra visibility, there will also be some low lighting at path level, and stewards will have torches to guide you if needed.

– Some of the installations will be situated on grassed areas. There will be matting laid on top of the grass to make it accessible for wheelchairs, mobility scooters and pushchairs.

– The paved paths may be uneven. Whether your mobility is usually great or not so much, it’s a good idea to wear flat, sturdy shoes.

– There will be a tour with a British Sign Language interpreter on Wednesday 21st. If you would like to come along, let us know in advance by emailing askus@appetite.org.uk. There are no spoken performances at the event, but soundscapes are used in certain areas. View our BSL introduction video here.

– Ear defenders will be available to loan at The Block. Speak to any of our stewards in an Appetite branded coat who can point you in the right direction.

– All elements of the event are relaxed.

– It’s likely to be cold so please do dress for the weather and wrap up warm!

Is it a dog-friendly event dog?

Middleport Park is a public space with no restrictions on dogs and we expect that some folk might pop in for a visit on their evening walkies. We would ask that if you do bring your dog along to keep them on a short leash while visiting as even the most well-behaved pet pooch can be a potential trip hazard in low light. Please make sure that dogs are kept away from the installations to prevent any unintended damage.

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Light Up Middleport

Let’s Light Up Middleport!

Wednesday 21 & Thursday 22 January

Drop in any time 4pm – 8pm. FREE!

Location: around the Bowling Green in Middleport Park.

Light Up Middleport is the first event in our✨ Light Up Winter ✨ series, which includes Light Up Hanley (3 & 4 Feb) and Newcastle Under Light (4 March).

Featuring immersive artworks, projections and interactive installations, the Light Up Winter series will transform familiar spaces into glowing, playful places to explore after dark.

Each of the three events in the series will feature different artists and artworks, and a special vibe that reflects the community where it happens.

At Light Up Middleport, you will see encounter illuminated boxes flashing in time with residents’ heartbeats, flying fish made from recycled plastic bottles, and a large,

It will also feature a large-scaleinteractive structure where you can create melodies and light patterns using simple hand movements.

With thanks to our Light Up Middleport partners Middleport Matters with support from Canal & River Trust, and to our funder for this event, Denise Coates Foundation.

Got a question?

We’ve got answers! Head over to our Light Up Middleport Access & FAQs page to find everything we think you might need to know to prepare for your visit.

Sneak peeks

The Matter of the Heart

by idontloveyouanymore

The Matter of the Heart is a beautiful installation from an award-winning studio, made up of 30 glowing boxes, each connected to a person’s live heartbeat and accompanied by a short description of their connection to Stoke-on-Trent.

During the event, each participant’s light box will pulse in time with their live heartbeat, bringing the installation to life, forming a portrait of the city’s collective beating heart.

Flying Fish

by Wild Rumpus

Wild Rumpus have transformed recycled plastic and milk bottles into a stunning installation of flying fish. Arranged at different heights on a series of supports, they aim to evoke a sense of movement.

Wild Rumpus are an award-winning arts organisation based in a woodland in Cheshire, working to deepen connections to nature through outdoor events.

Circo Tree

by Dan Fox at Sound Intervention

Circo Tree is a large-scale interactive sound and light installation. It creates a gathering space that feels like being in an open air circus tent.

The audience can play Circo Tree using an invisible beam. A simple hand movement up and down allows the user to play melodies and make patterns in the lights move around the structure.

Listen to artist Dan Fox as he talks you through what you can expect from Circo Tree, why it was made, and his bio.

Faceboard

by Dan Fox at Sound Intervention

Faceboard is a fun interactive re-invention of the iconic seaside comic foreground.

Instead of a painted static image, Sound Intervention use digital animations projected and manipulated by an artist to fit the faces looking through.

You can be anything from a mermaid to a dinosaur, snowman to a dragon!

Kiln Lanterns

by B.Arts and the community

B. ARTS will run a drop-in lantern making workshop in advance of the event. The lanterns made, in the shape of bottle kilns, will be displayed during the event.

At the event you are invited to help create a huge sculptural lantern in The Block, on the Bowling Green.

B. ARTS love making lanterns and teaching other people how to make them! They have made lanterns and bespoke night-time events locally, across the UK and further afield (in Italy, Romanis, Bosnia, Hungary, France, Mexico and Denmark!).

Be part of the art

Would you like your heartbeat to be one of 30 featured in The Matter of The Heart?

Those selected to take part will be invited to a 15-minute session on either 17 or 19 January, between 10am and 4pm, at Middleport Matters’ Harper Street base. Participants will be given a heart monitor to wear, download an app to transmit their heartbeat, and share a few words about what Stoke-on-Trent means to them.

For your chance to be chosen, apply via the idontloveyouanymore website.

The Appetite programme and Light Up Winter series of events is funded by National Lottery through Arts Council England’s Creative People and Places programme. With additional event funding from UK Government, Stoke-on-Trent City Council, Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council, Denise Coates Foundation, and Middleport Matters. Light Up Winter is delivered in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent City Centre BID, Newcastle-under-Lyme BID, and Stoke Creates.

Want to know what else is going on?

Visit the What’s On page for events and go to Get Involved for more opportunities. For regular updates, why not subscribe to our newsletter, or follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

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Light Up Winter with Appetite in 2026!

This winter we are bringing light to the darker months with three special, FREE events as part of our ✨ Light Up Winter ✨ series, which includes Light Up Middleport (21 & 22 Jan), Light Up Hanley (3 & 4 Feb) and Newcastle Under Light (4 March).

Featuring immersive artworks, projections and interactive installations, the ✨Light Up Winter✨ series will transform familiar spaces into glowing, playful places to explore after dark.

Each of the three events in the series will feature different artists and artworks, and a special vibe that reflects the community where it happens. We would love to see you at all three!