Using the façade of the NatWest Bank in King’s Street, Legacy recounts the site’s former use as St Thomas’ Almshouses, which were given to the town in the will of Henry Pinnock in 1624, “for the better relief and maintenance of such poor decayed people as should from time to time dwell in the ancient Parishes of Gravesend and Milton.”

Exploring the themes of philanthropy, benevolence and charity, the installation pays tribute to those who have given to those less fortunate than themselves, as well as highlighting an ambition to leave the world in a better place than when we came into it.

Students at the University of Kent’s School of Architecture, Design and Planning will each be creating a light installation using the façade of Gravesend’s Library. Over this year, students have been developing an understanding of the different ways light can play with architecture, and each of them will create a piece that either has a passive relationship with the building using it as a canvas for their work, or it will activate the façade bringing it alive.

Inspired by a field trip to witness the Fête des Lumières in Lyon in December, each student has been given free license to interpret the festival’s theme of Reflection in their own unique way. With each piece lasting around 3 minutes, the overall programme will last around 40 minutes, giving time for audiences to see their favourite pieces again.

Emergency Exit Arts & Lightfires are bringing their fantastical travelling Fire Fayre to the Gravesend Light Festival!

Are you strong enough to beat the Test of Strength? Is your aim good enough for the Atomic Accelerator? Can you race to the top on the Hydro Blaster? Succeed in these trials and then rest your feet by our colourful fire pits.

Fun and fiery combustion for all the family!

Come and participate in our interactive fire installation, located outside St. George's shopping centre over the weekend of Gravesend Light Festival.

Working in collaboration with the Filaments Art Collective and shadowgrapher Drew Colby, Light Vessel 21 is switching on her searchlights and turning the spotlight on the Gravesend riverfront at St Andrew’s Gardens for Gravesham Light Festival 2024.

Beams of lights and echoing sounds illuminate the quayside, calling visitors to the riverfront and welcoming audiences aboard the historic ship. Explore a series of site-specific illuminated installations and outdoor projections reflecting on the locale, its people and stories, created by the Filaments Arts Collective both aboard the ship and along the quayside - including “Disco-tents” – a colourful line of modified camping tents with internal sensory lighting systems, Tidal Traces - The piece brings together two parallel, simultaneous projections of reflections of the flowing waters of the River Thames with intertwined imagery of vintage photos featuring local people, boats and the area.

My Shadow and Me: Take part in a hands-on shadowplay workshop on the ship and learn the art of shadowgraphy with award-winning shadowgrapher Drew Colby. This show is free, but booking is required via the Woodville website.

Drew Colby specialises in the ancient art of Hand Shadows (or Shadowgraphy) - the art of creating and animating shadow images using little more than the performer's hands. In Drew Colby's hands, this artform is a source of comedy, beauty and wonder that will be wowing audiences aboard Gravesend’s historic lightship, LV21.

My Shadow and Me: Take part in a hands-on shadowplay workshop on the ship and learn the art of shadowgraphy with award-winning shadowgrapher Drew Colby. This show is free, but booking is required via the Woodville website.

Bell Orchestra is an interactive musical game for families that invites audiences of all ages to come together to play beautiful melodies on a set of giant chimes.

Guided by performers, the participant percussionists follow patterns and improvisational instructions to strike the chimes with their beaters, each chime playing a different note with striking resonance.

Stop to listen to the unique sounds, become captivated by the spectacle, and charmed by the joy of watching participants learn the sequences and tuning in to each other. With a playful invitation and ceremonial tone, this unique instrument will create many memorable moments of togetherness.

The Guru Nanak Darbar Gurdwara is one of largest in Europe, and we are lucky enough to have it on our doorsteps here in Gravesend.

The temple will be lighting the fountains and beautiful facade for both nights of the Light Festival, so if you've never seen this incredible building before, now is your chance.

Please note that the Gurdwara will only be lit until 7pm, so if you would like to experience this as part of your Light Festival, please plan accordingly to avoid disappointment.

Immerse yourself for 10 minutes in Funki Porcini's Laserium as you walk the Gravesend Light Festival. Music physically vibrates mirrors and glass with 700 lasers refracting light to create a mesmerising experience.

About the artist/s: James Patrick Darcy Braddell is an English musician and film maker who uses the stage name of Funki Porcini. "Funki Porcini" is a twist on "Funghi Porcini", the Italian name of the mushroom Boletus edulis, commonly known as "penny bun”.

Fourth Portal @ St Andrew's Art Centre is a relaxed place to meet, socialise, work, learn, enjoy performances, art and workshops surrounded by an eclectic array of furnishings, books and technology under stunning stained glass windows.

‘Good Times’ is a kinetic light and music installation that celebrates the foreshore factory workers of Gravesend & Northfleet and the vibrant nightlife that offered a weekend respite.

Unexpected pieces of industrial plant will be painstakingly covered in thousands of individual mirror tiles and when powered up the multiple rotating drums and site specific soundtrack will create a unique outdoor nightclub for dancers young and old.

About the artist: Mark Whitehouse is a Gravesend based designer and music curator who has completed commissions for record labels and youth brands including; Island Records, Phonogram, Virgin & Sony Playstation.

A co-created art exhibition for the Gravesham Light Festival 2024 by the MESS ROOM and LV21, featuring artworks created by students at Chantry Community Primary School, Ifield School, and artists from Kent Association for the Blind art groups.

Our Reflections at St George's Art Centre Gallery brings together an immersive display of shadows and reflections, illuminating and mirroring the participating artists’ responses and thoughts on the theme of ‘Our Reflections’.

The installation re-uses elements of TAPE by the international award-winning designer, Numen/For Use. TAPE was a fully immersive gigantic cocoon-like installation made entirely from tape installed March - June 2023 at The Historic Dockyard Chatham as part of A+E Lab’s ALT*MED Festival.

Art Is For All Gravesend are creating a carousel of art and science activities for young people based on the "reflections" theme. Their carnival atmosphere will be sure to bring excitement light into the dark evenings.

Families can manipulate a variety of different media and techniques to create original pieces such as lanterns, slime and reflective art.

There will also be opportunities to interact with our living statue, enjoy working the automaton, see themselves in the hall (gazebo) of mirrors and learn more about the science and art of light and reflection.

About the artist/s: Art is for All is an exciting new artist collective based in Gravesend town centre, with their own gallery & gift shop. Their initiative is based on the idea that ‘everybody should be surrounded by beautiful things’, and that the arts should be accessible to all.

Trans1 is an international aerosol artist who has sprayed artworks all over the world.

Trans1 is Gravesend born and bred and will be working on live pieces on the night, outside The Kent Bar in Gravesend high street.

Why not come along for a chat with the artist and find out more about this amazing artform and its links to the hip hop music scene and modern culture?

Scott Cooper will give the viewer a snapshot of different aspects of vessels that have travelled past Gravesend over the years. These images will be drawn onto concave canvases with accompanying information and illuminated from within. The installations are designed to merge both fine art and Gravesend’s history and will be placed in shop windows in Gravesend High Street.

About the Artist: Working with diverse mediums including acrylics, pencils, and charcoal, as well as some more obscure items such as coffee, dirt, and building materials, Scott is inspired by repurposing everyday items. Scott will be exhibiting other artworks within his pop-up exhibition base in Gravesend Borough Market on both nights alongside a giveaway craft for children to take away on the night.

FREE guided tours at Gravesham Light Festival, starting from Gravesend Library and finishing at St George’s Arts Centre!

Your tour guide will share snippets of history about different locations. The tours start at 6pm, 6:30pm and 7pm. Please book in advance.

Click here to book!

Enjoy the lively and infectious sounds of Samba from local community band, Old School Samba.

Please note that the performance will only be on Saturday 27th, so if you would like to experience this as part of your Light Festival, please plan accordingly to avoid disappointment.

This fantastic live glow show is delivered by a group of performers and combines drumming, choreography and beautiful lighting design to create a show that always blows audiences away!

The performance features light, sound, static set-pieces, movement between sites, and audience interaction. With high-tech lighting design and fantastic LED light-adorned costumes, the show gradually builds in intensity, culminating in a huge climax of light, sound, smoke and movement. These performances have been generously sponsored by CPA Property Services, a local family run business hosting three generations.

Please note this performance is only taking place on the Friday (26th). If you would like to experience this as part of your Light Festival, please plan accordingly to avoid disappointment.

An interactive comedy walkabout about a tree family looking for somewhere to settle down. As the forests are getting smaller and smaller the tree family decides to live with humans. These walking and talking trees blend in with human behaviour, interact and cause gentle chaos by putting down roots in the wrong place, telling stories about their ancient lives, playing games with the humans and bringing nature’s beauty to town.

Please note this performance will be on the 26th only - we encourage you to plan accordingly to avoid disappointment.

Can you feel that chill in the air? Jack Frost and Snowy are here to spread glistening winter magic and joy all around. Illuminated stilt walking winter walkabout characters, for family interactions and photo opportunities.

Please note this performance will be on the 27th only - we encourage you to plan accordingly to avoid disappointment.

Come and join local artist, Sonnia, to create cool Mexican mirrors inspired by the Mexican folk art – Hojalata. Using paper and pens, create your own fun and colourful designs.

Suitable for all ages

Please note this is a free event, but the drop-in sessions are timed and you will therefore need to collect your entry timeslot from the stand in the Market before attending the craft workstation.

Starting times for the workshop are every 15 mins from 5.30pm until 8.15pm.