The idea
Baylight is a fun, free, family-centred, light art trail and community parade set in beautiful Morecambe. It takes place over 2 nights in darkest February (Fri 21st- Sat 22nd) culminating in our fantastically popular parade night on the Saturday. This year the parade has an emphasis on celebrating our local artists and communities, so there'll be lots of opportunities to get hands on and be part of the event.
Baylight 24 attracted 28,000 visitors into the town centre and massively boosted community morale and the local economy alike at a time of year when spirits are low and trading is hard going.
This year we see a change in our funding so we are even more appreciative of any donation you can make to help us realise the amazing event we all want to see.
Baylight 23 was a finalist in the Lancashire Red Rose Awards in the best tourism category, and Baylight 24 was brilliant, now with your help we can make Baylight 25 bigger and better!
What we'll deliver
- An amazing parade with opportunities for everyone to join.
- A free, family-friendly and accessible parade.
- Pre-parade workshops with local artists and community groups.
- Music and drumming to lead the parade.
- Activities with local dance troupes.
- Walkabout performances.
- Making workshops, open to all, to light up the parade.
Why it's a great idea
Baylight provides a significant draw and motivation for people to visit the town, and generates income at a crucial time of year for local businesses.
Additionally, Baylight helps us banish the winter blues with an upbeat, joyous event, an occasion to bring all your family together and an opportunity to invite your friends from far and wide.
The parade also provides a rich experience for volunteers to join in and assist.
The total economic impact of Baylight 24 was calculated at just over £900,000 (11% up on 2023) with a return on investment of over £3 for every £1 invested.
So supporting Baylight is helping to support our local businesses and economy, our local artists and talent, our vital community organisations and our mental well-being.
Pledging just £5 can add a bulb to the festoon lighting, £100 can go towards funding a community making workshop for the parade and £1000 can fund a micro-commission for a local artist.
Every bit helps!! Let's Make Morecambe SHINE!!
Steps to get it done
- Engage artists
- Engage Music performers
- Set up Community Making Workshops
- Arrange Security
- Engage volunteers
- Confirm Community programme
- Community practitioners contracted
- Street vendors plan agreed
- Event insurance in place
- Community workshops booking goes live
- Community workshops facilitators contracted
- Community workshops delivered
- Workshop venues confirmed
- Security, medical and traffic management confirmed/contracted
- Event management plan in place
- All relevant policies in place (H&S, Volunteering etc)
- Event delivery
- Confirm road closure with relevant authority
This year in response to feedback, the popular parade night will move to the Saturday to allow more people to enjoy the fun. But get into town early, it gets very busy! There's still plenty in Morecambe to enjoy before the parade starts! Our website includes all the information you'll need to plan your visit, including bus and rail times, where to park, places to eat, other things to do and how to get home.
Visit our website at www.baylightmorecambe.co.uk
