Moon bathers, star sailors and all-things-light lovers, gather around because Nightfall 2022 is coming back to Middlesbrough! Think magical twinkling light art in amongst the trees, spectacular live performances, and cups of hot chocolate to warm you on a winter’s night. Yes, it’s just as fantastical and warm-and-fuzzy as you’re imagining, and you’re invited!
Nightfall truly is one of my favourite Teesside events and after the hit that was Nightfall 2021, I’m so ready for it to be back. It’s everything you could want in a winter event and more! But if you want tickets, you’ll need to get in there quick. Still need more info? Take a read of this blog post to find out all of the details and what you might be able to expect from Nightfall 2022.
When is Nightfall 2022?
Make sure you get your woollies out for this one because Nightfall is back from Thursday 1st to Sunday 4th December 2022 in Stewart Park, Middlesbrough. That’s Stewart Park, The Grove, Marton-in-Cleveland, Middlesbrough, TS7 8AR for your sat navs.
And of course, as it’s a light art-orientated event, all of the time slots are at night time for you to get the full experience. Each experience will last around 1.5 hours, but could be longer if you hang around in the final zone.
Tickets are on sale NOW, so make sure you get booked up before it sells out! At the time of writing, there are some early slots left on Thursday, and plenty of late slots on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, so go go go!
What is Nightfall?
If you’re new to Nightfall, let me illuminate you (pun absolutely intended). It’s an annual Tees Valley light festival event and for 2022, is themed around ‘Brighten Our Northern Sky’. It’s a family-friendly celebration that brings people together to experience the magic of an illuminated artwork trail and performance after dark. It’s the ideal event for curious rainbow seekers, adventurers, friends and families to enjoy magic and mystery of nature, art and light.
I’m really looking forward to seeing how the artists interpret the ‘Brighten Our Northern Sky’ theme. I’m imagining glorious Northern Lights style pieces across the Boro sky. Or amazing kaleidoscopes of light that make the leafy trees look like stars. It’s going to be amazing!
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.
Nightfall is produced by Stellar Projects, the minds behind creative projects and imaginative events, including Make & Mend Festival. Based in Stockton-on-Tees, Stellar Projects has a passion for creating amazing collective experiences, for making those ‘you just had to be there’ moments. Their projects bring people together, using innovative approaches to create events that amaze and entertain.
Will Nightfall 2022 be accessible?
I find that Stellar Projects aim to be as inclusive as possible with all of their events and Nightfall 2022 will be no different. The main car park has disabled parking spaces, so be sure to book your blue badge parking during the ticket process and pop your badge on display when you arrive. The route will have a clear path (but there may be some uneven ground) making it easier to get around with buggies and wheelchairs, and there will be a shorter route to take if needed.
Tickets for the designated relaxed sessions have now sold out, but these time slots had fewer tickets available to stop crowding, and there will be changes to the light and sound levels to make the trail more accessible. It’s something to consider next year if you need a calm approach to the experience. And in both the relaxed and standard sessions, some of the storytelling and performances will be BSL interpreted, so everyone can come and get involved!
What else can I do at Nightfall?
Not only can you wander 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 programmed by the fantastic Base Camp Boro, scrumptious street food from indie traders and all the mulled wine you can shake a stick at. Think mini festival vibes, but late at night and in winter. It’s a winning recipe!
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 at various points around the trail and at the end, as well as storytelling. And if you need a bit of quiet away from the music, there’s a brand new relaxed space that’s new for 2022.
How much are tickets for Nightfall 2022?
Tickets are £12.50 per adult and £8.50 per child under 16 years old. 2 years and under can go free, but need a pre-booked ticket. At the moment, there are only a handful of tickets left, so you’ll need to grab them while you can. I recommend going for the later time slots as they tend to be less busy and luckily, there’s plenty of later times available on Friday, Saturday (great for non-school nights) and Sunday. Plus, the later time slots give you the fullest experience as it’ll be so dark that it’ll be impossible to miss a single installation!
Parking must be booked alongside your event tickets and displayed on the night. A main car park ticket (£3.50) or park and walk ticket (50p) are needed to gain entry to car parks. Park and walk is only a 5 minute walk from the event entrance at Middlesbrough Sports Village and you only need one pass per car. For more information on public transport options please visit www.connectteesvalley.com.
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.
What do I love most about Nightfall?
When people hear “Teesside” in mainstream media, their minds often jump to a negative straight away. Seeing the area from the outside and jumping on to the stereotypes is so easy. But if you look a little closer, you’ll see tight knit communities and events like this that bring us together. It’s an event that is available to all, no matter your age, gender or background, and that really shows from the amount of people that turn up for it.
I also love that it makes you feel like a kid again. While it’s ideal for children and invokes that sense of wonder in them, it does the exact same for grown ups too! You’re invited to put aside any stress or adulting for the evening, and really let go for just a moment to 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 hard to come by, so we need to savour it when we can.
And finally, I love that this event makes you see somewhere so familiar in a totally different light (another pun that’s absolutely intended). 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 2022 light trail, it’s going to look completely different. After the 2021 event, I’m really looking forward to seeing how they transform the park again!
Nightfall 2022 kicks off in just a few months and there are limited tickets available now. Definitely don’t hesitate! If you want to grab your slot or need any more info, head to the Nightfall website, but also make sure you keep up with Stellar Projects’ Facebook for more updates and info closer to the time. They’ll be revealing lots more about the programme and artwork soon, so keep your eyes peeled.
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 #Nightfall22. That way, you might get shared on the Stellar Projects socials!
This post is sponsored by Stellar Projects. All opinions are my own.