Battersea Light Festival 2024: everything you need to know about the illuminated display

From giant glowing butterflies to a cycling light battle, here's what to expect this year
Glow up: Battersea Light Show is back
roundturnervisuals.com
Josh Barrie @joshbythesea24 January 2024

Battersea Power Station will again be transformed into an illuminated playground this year as the fourth incarnation of its lights festival gets underway on January 25. 

The old industrial building and its surrounds are to feature colourful artworks, bright installations, and soundscapes, all free to view between 8am and 11pm each day until February 25. 

LED performers, silent discos, even a playable “light piano” will also feature, with everything interspersed throughout the 140 restaurants, bars, shops and entertainment venues. 

Light Art Collection
Light battle at the Battersea Light Festival
Light Art Collection

The headline piece in 2024 is titled Butterfly Effect by the Japanese artist Masamichi Shimada. Six gigantic butterflies, emitting a bright blue glow, will rise and fall on the water feature in Circus West Village. Shimada hopes “to portray how something as delicate as a butterfly can possess such immense power,” press material explained.

Another standout attraction, by the north entrance next to the river, is Singularity by Squidsoup, “a monolithic suspended sphere of abstract and dynamic light and movement.” The arts group said the idea is to imagine a point in time when technological growth becomes “uncontrollable and irreversible.” 

The Light Festival, Battersea Power Station image shows Eternal Sundown by Mads Vegas
John Sturrock

And there will be a UK debut from Singaporean artist Angela Chong, whose "C/C" piece on Electric Boulevard is to be interactive as it is stunning. The sculpture can be used as an enormous bench, and by day will be turned off to allow the sun to create shadows on the concrete below. By night, it will sparkle in effervescent light. 

Those keen on activities might also enjoy Lightbattle III by Dutch designers Venividimultiplex, where in Malaysia Square people will be invited to celebrate the country’s cycling culture by competing on exercise bikes to illuminate two arches of light. The harder participants ride, the brighter and more intense their lights will be.

The Light Festival At Battersea Power Station Opens To The Public
A light installation called "Digital Origami Tigers" by LAVA is seen on the launch day of the Light Festival at Battersea Power station
Getty Images

The power station will feature numerous other art pieces, light displays and installations, each designed to be immersive and "amazing." Family events and workshops will appeal to younger audiences, with some free and others ticketed. Visit the Battersea Power Station website to find out more.

Battersea Light Festival runs between January 25 and February 25 throughout Battersea Power Station. batterseapowerstation.co.uk

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