Arts Outburst are excited to present their fourth Light Up Thurrock festival on Friday 28 March 2025.
Starting at 6:00pm, we will be lighting up Falcon Woods and residents are invited to come along to see light installations from festival favourites Same Sky and a dance performance by LED Dance Artist, Ed Grimoldby. Lanterns will be available for people to collect to take part in a Light Up Parade.
Following on from the success of Light Up Thurrock 2024 and back by popular demand, the Parade will be led by Flash Bang Brass who will be performing their Time Tunnel playlist, chosen by local residents, as they lead us along Argent Street, up the High Street and on to the Thameside complex via Orsett Road. Puppets with Guts will be back for the parade with The Lips and on the way you will be able to see window displays and buildings lit up along the route.
On arrival at the Thameside there will be performances from The Lips, Ed Grimoldby, Coda Dance Company and interactive light installations by Connor Turansky who will be working with local people to create a piece based on the past, present and future of Thurrock. CMPM will once again light up the area and there will also be a makers market and a visit from the Essex Gaming Bus.
Light Up Thurrock began in March 2022 when Arts Outburst produced five Light Up Festivals across Thurrock, in Stanford-le-hope, Corringham, Tilbury, South Ockendon and Grays. In 2023 they took Light Up Purfleet-on-Thames and lit up High House Production Park. Light Up Thurrock 2024 started in November 2023 with Arts Outburst back in Purfleet-on-Thames and finished with a festival in Grays Town Park.
Arts Outburst will be presenting an exhibition of photos, installations and videos entitled FLASHback at the Thameside Gallery from 22 March – 3 April where you can come and reminisce about Light Up Thurrock from the last 3 years. You might even spot yourself in the crowd!
There will be plenty of opportunities for local people to get involved – Arts Outburst will be asking you to suggest music for Flash Bang Brass’ playlist, come along to workshops and make your own lantern for the parade or apply to volunteer at the event.
Arts Outburst Director, Daryl Branch said “This is our fourth year of Light Up Thurrock and we are excited to welcome back Same Sky, Connor Turansky and Puppets with Guts in a venue that is close to our hearts. The Thameside complex has been our home for many years and we hope that this festival will help people to see the Thameside in a different light. Arts Outburst believe that everyone should have access to high quality arts and thanks to funding from Arts Council England, START Thurrock, Riverside Community Big Local and UKSPF we are able to ensure these events are free of charge for all”.
Light Up Thurrock will be back in Grays on 28 March 2025.
