A winter light festival’s theme originates from a “lost” Christmas carol, which archivists unearthed nine decades after its composition. Arthur Godfrey, a bottle-maker from Barnsley, composed the carol “Christmas Eve” in 1933. This composition has now been selected as the central theme for the Bright Nights event, taking place in the town centre. The festival showcases illuminated artworks, various performances, and displays, scheduled to run from November 22-23. In the previous year, 24,000 individuals attended Bright Nights in Barnsley, marking a 45% rise in attendance compared to figures from 2022. The event is set to commence with a multimedia projection presented in Glass Works Square, alongside live choir performances. The programme for Saturday features an illuminated parade, which will include inflatables, hand-crafted lanterns, musical elements, and participation from community groups. Now in its seventh year, the event receives funding from Arts Council England, Barnsley Council, and several key partners, such as The Glass Works, Barnsley College, the Alhambra Shopping Centre, and Barnsley Civic. According to Barnsley Council, the festival requires 12 months of planning and is integrated into the Light Up the North network, alongside events in Leeds and Liverpool.

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