This post is sponsored by Stellar Projects. All opinions are my own.
I absolutely love this time of the year – for the festive feelings, the wintry flavours of food, the winter event calendar, and the cosy darker nights. And one of the most exciting events in the winter calendar that takes full advantage of the darker nights is Nightfall! Think beautiful artwork, mesmerising colour, live music, street food, performances and so much more, all in the crisp night air. It truly is one to get in your diaries!
I was first introduced to Nightfall back in 2019 when it was held in Preston Park, but the event was first held in Centre Square, Middlesbrough in 2016. The event was nominated for the Best Teesside Event in the Journal Culture Awards and since then, it has developed into an even more magical and entertaining experience. Following the online event in 2020, Nightfall 2021 will be in its new home, the amazing Stewart Park in Middlesbrough.
Sounds like Nightfall might be right up your street? Let me give you all the details you need to know and tell you about what I’m excited to see.
What is Nightfall 2021?
Nightfall is an annual Tees Valley light festival event and for 2021, is themed around ‘A Stellar Rainbow’. It promises to provide a joyful escape and injection of colour into the grey we’ve all experienced over nearly two years of uncertainty. In its fourth year, the event aims to bring people together to experience the magic of an illuminated artwork trail and performance after dark. It’ll be the ideal event for curious rainbow seekers, friends and families to enjoy the vibrant beauty and sometimes hidden colours of the night sky, inspired by stars, comets, planets and nebulae.
Where will Nightfall be held for 2021?
This year’s event will be up and running in Stewart Park, Middlesbrough (Stewart Park, The Grove, Marton-in-Cleveland, Middlesbrough, TS7 8AR – for your sat navs). This spot has great transport links, including a designated park and ride, and a train station a short walk away, so it’s perfect if you’re coming from near or far. It’s also a huge space with lots of open areas, ponds, woodland spots, and a courtyard, so I can’t wait to see how they use it for the trail.
When is the event?
Nightfall 2021 launches pretty soon and will run from Thursday 2nd December to Sunday 5th December.
Where can I get Nightfall tickets?
You better get your skates on because there are only a handful of tickets left! You can purchase tickets via the Nightfall website, as well as car parking and park and ride tickets.
Will there be food?
You know me, I’m always looking for the next place I can get a bite to eat! So I’m pleased to say that there will be street food available at the end of the Nightfall trail. This will include:
- Parm-o-rama Parmos (from Thurs-Sun)
- GRK Greek (from Thurs-Sun)
- Cook’s Pizzeria (Fri and Sun)
- Spud Gun Loaded Fries (Thurs, Fri and Sun)
- Cook’s Cafe (Fri, Sat and Sun)
- Fat Hippo (from Thurs-Sun)
- Flip ‘n’ Fast Crepes (from Thurs-Sun)
You’ll also be able to get piping hot drinks from San Seb Coffee and Barista Sisters. Or if you want something a little stronger, there’ll be festive tipples and alcohol available from Tap Garden and Thirsty Horse Bar. There really is something for everyone!
What else can I do at Nightfall?
Not only can you meander through the light and art trail, soaking in the atmosphere and awakening that childlike sense of wonder we all have in us, there’s actually lots more to get involved with! At the end of the trail, you can enjoy some live music with a line up that has been supported by Base Camp Boro. You can also get crafty at one of the drop-in workshops, where all materials are free and provided for you. There are live performances, like Moths at Work by Pif Paf and Whippet Tales by Whippet Up, as well as storytelling by Ian and Jo Douglas, and Fireside Stories from Stellar Projects.
Oh, there’s also an online programme of activities that you can get involved with after the live event too. Long story short, there are tons of things to do at Nightfall 2021, which makes it an ideal event for the whole family!
Where can I get more info?
Still have more questions? The Nightfall website has all the answers you might possibly need! You can take a look at their FAQs for lots more details on accessibility, travelling, and event specific info. The easy-read programme is also really helpful and broken down in a way that makes all the info simple.
What am I looking forward to at Nightfall?
What I love most about events like this is feeling like a kid again. We’re currently surrounded by such gloom and ‘grown up stuff’ that it’s lovely to forget about all of that for just a moment. You’re invited to put pandemic, bills and work stress aside for the evening, and enjoy the magic of light and colour instead. That sense of awe and wonder that we feel when we see something extraordinary is precious, and that’s what I love to feel at Nightfall!
Of course, I’m also looking forward to seeing the artwork that’ll make my jaw drop. I think the interactive Spiral of Light by Travelling Light Circus looks incredibly fun and different. Submergence by Squidsoup looks like it’ll be an amazing walkthrough experience, being surrounded by hanging dots of light. End Over End by Studio Vertigo features a giant rainbow slinky, which is guaranteed to turn even the grumbliest of folk into a beaming child.
And as well as all of this, I’m really looking forward to seeing Stewart Park in a new way. This is one of my favourite spots for a walk in Middlesbrough, and it also gained lots of attention after hosting BBC Radio 1’s Big Weekend in 2019. It’s a space that is known and loved by many, but with the Nightfall light trail, it’s going to look completely different. It’s so exciting to get the chance to see it in a new light (badum-tsh!) and I’m intrigued to see how unusual and magical somewhere so familiar can feel.
Nightfall 2021 launches in just a matter of days, kicking things off on Thursday 2nd December. There’s still time to get your hands on some tickets though, so don’t delay! If you need any more info the Nightfall website is your best bet, but also make sure you keep up with Stellar Projects’ Facebook for more updates and info closer to the time.
I hope you’re just as excited for this event as I am, and I’ll look forward to seeing you all there! If you go along, make sure you tag your photos and videos with #Nightfall21. That way, you might get shared on the Stellar Projects socials!
