On Thursday 14 March, a flaming torch-lit procession featuring 500 volunteers will make its way from Hull Minster to Hull Marina, where audiences will enjoy a spectacular performance of The Tower of Light.
The event is free to attend.
The Tower of Light celebrates the Lighthouse, and the people who lived and worked in them: the Lighthouse Keepers who kept sailors safe for centuries. It is a beautifully choreographed outdoor theatre piece centred around a spectacular Lighthouse and its three hapless Lighthouse Keepers who bring the Tower to life with light, fire and stunning pyrotechnic effects.
Led by three mischievous lighthouse keepers in their Ghillie boat, with live music from Bandanarama and semaphore from local community members, the show celebrates 800 years of Hull’s maritime heritage.
As the lighthouse keepers ascend the tower audiences can expect a spectacular show, featuring light, sound and fire, culminating in a fantastic finale.
The free event takes place from 7:10pm, when the parade arrives at Hull Marina for the Tower of Light performance. The event is expected to finish at approximately 8:15pm.
Viewing points are as follows: Watch the procession arriving from Murdoch Connection on Hull Marina and welcome the 500 community volunteers. (Please note: Access across Murdoch Connection will be restricted during the procession.) For the Tower of Light, Head to Humber Dock Street to see the Tower of Light spectacle.
Trinity Live at Trinity Market is also taking place, offering food and live music between 5 – 9.45pm.
Please note there will be some loud bangs and flashes as part of the show.
Parking is available at:
Tower Street Car Park
Tower Street,
Hull HU9 1TQ
Up to 3hrs – £1.50
Up to 5hrs – £6
Fruit Market Multi Storey
Queen Street,
Hull, HU1 1UU
Princes Quay Multi Story
Princes Quay
Hull, HU1 2NL
Open 24 hours 7 days a week
Parking is available by arriving to the car park, or alternatively you can pre-book a parking space on www.yourparkingspace.co.uk Searching by ID 11210 OR Princes quay which will take you to their specific page. Parking fees from 4.30pm until 9.00pm would cost £4.00
Lowgate Car Park
Lowgate
Hull, HU1 2AA
Hull Arena
Parking at the Hull Ice Arena is a Pay and Display long term car park. Up to 70 spaces available for parking (this may be restricted for some events).
Parking prices (Monday to Saturday 8am to 9pm, Sundays free parking) Cash only and does not take card.
Up to 2 hours – £1.80
Up to 3 hours – £2.70
Up to 4 hours – £3.60
Up to 5 hours – £4.50
All day – £6.60
Osbourne Street Multi StoreyMonday to Sunday, 24 hours
£3 for 24 hours car parking starting from the time at which a pay and display ticket is printed.
High Street car park
Pay and Display
£1 per hour
On street parking is also available.
Public Transport
Normal bus services are running.
Road closures
There will be road closures in place as follows:
14 March from 20:30 until 06:00
A63 with full overnight closure, east and westbound. More info.
11 March from 07:30 until 15 March at 22:00
- Wellington Street from Humber Place to Wellington Street bridge.
14 March from 17:45 until 14 March at 20:00
- Trinity Square – whole of
- North Church Side – full length
- Posterngate – full length
- Trinity House Lane – full length
- Whietfriargate – full length
- Princes Dock Street – full length from Whitefriargate to A63
- Humber Dock Street full length Humber Place
- Queen Street – from Humber Street to Nelson Street
14 March from 18:30 until 14 March at 20:00
- Wellington Street from Queen Street Junctions to Wellington Street bridge
- Pier Street full street
- Humber Dock Street between Humber Place and Blanker Row
- Humber Place full length
Alongside the Tower of Light event, Cultural Tides will discuss Hull’s contribution to culture and creativity in the north, as well as kick-start the conversation on a new city-wide cultural strategy.
An audience made up of Hull-based arts, cultural, voluntary, community, education and business sector organisations with an interest in the cultural ambition of the city, will hear from speakers and panels throughout the day at the events space in Princes Quay.
Speakers include Professor John Holden, Visiting Professor at the University of Leeds, who will present his research and ongoing work on cultural ecologies.
The day will also include discussion panels, made up of industry experts Merlijn Poolman, Night Mayor for Groningen, Netherlands, Matthias Rauch, Head of Cultural Innovation & Creative Economy in Mannheim, Germany, Clare McColgan CBE, Director of Culture – Liverpool 2008/Eurovision/UNESCO and Erika Clark, Creative Programme Manager at Belfast UNESCO music city.
The panels will consider how to capture and maintain the energy of large-scale initiatives, how to develop audiences and empower communities, and Hull’s ambition to be a UNESCO Creative City of Music.
The conference will be opened by Leader of Hull City Council, Cllr Mike Ross. He said:
“I’m delighted to be hosting the city’s inaugural Cultural Tides conference. The city has a long and proud cultural heritage, making a mark on the industry here and beyond. Whether it is the long-established organisations, or the more recent events and performers, Hull packs a mighty punch in the sector.
“The world got the see this when the city took on the title of City of Culture in 2017, but the cultural offering has long been strong. The task now is to firmly establish the city as a cultural beacon in the north, navigating the challenging issues faced by the industry.
“This event offers the opportunity to begin that city-wide debate on the sustainability of the industry in Hull, with the chance to learn from the experiences of others from the UK and further afield, helping ensure the culture offer stays strong in Hull for years to come.”
The conference will be majority funded by the UK Government-backed Levelling-Up scheme.
Organisations and industry members wanting to attend the conference can book free tickets here.
