The University of Sussex campus was alight with colour and creativity on Thursday 12 February 2026 as the inaugural Glimmer lantern and lights trail welcomed hundreds of staff, students, friends and family for a community-wide celebration.

The free evening event, commissioned and produced by Division of Library, Culture & Heritage in partnership with award-winning community arts charity Same Sky, transformed the campus as dusk fell into a trail of illuminated sculptures, handcrafted lanterns and artistic light installations, weaving through the university’s woodland and open spaces. The festival culminated on the lawns by the Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts (ACCA) with food, warm drinks and live soundscapes created by University of Sussex music and music technology students.

Click here to see a photo gallery from the festival.

Glimmer invited visitors to explore a route starting near Arts A Cafe, meandering through Spence Quarter and finishing at the ACCA hub, where participants gathered to enjoy performances and community atmosphere. Lantern workshops led by local artists in the lead-up to the event gave students and community members the chance to contribute personally to the displays.

Organisers said the event was designed to celebrate the changing seasons while strengthening connections across the campus community, offering families and individuals of all ages a chance to take part in a shared creative experience.

Students were also able to log points towards their Spirit of Sussex Award in the Creativity and Culture category for taking part, encouraging engagement and recognition of cultural contribution.

Representatives from Same Sky, staff from the Faculty of Media Arts & Humanities, Student Engagement teams, University Chaplaincy and Estates & Facilities praised the turnout and community involvement.

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