Mansfield’s first ever Light Night event is to be held next month when Carr Bank Park will be illuminated in dazzling creative displays.

It will kick off a series of events as part of the Destination Mansfield project that will see more than £450,000 invested in events in the next two years. The investment has been made possible through working with partners to put funding from the Towns Fund, Arts Council England, Mansfield BID and other private sector contributors to best use.

The FREE four-day family event, organised by Mansfield District Council, will be held from Saturday 10 February until Tuesday 13 February, between 4pm and 8pm daily. It should take 30 and 60 minutes to complete the circuit.

Coun Andy Burgin, portfolio holder for Environment and Leisure, said; “Don’t miss the opportunity to be part of this magical event with art and light coming together to create an unforgettable experience.

“Carr Bank is one of our most scenic parks and this four-day event will be a unique opportunity to see it in a new light. It is the first time we have illuminated our park – it’s going to be amazing! Please support us and come along.

“It is suitable for all ages and promises to be the perfect way to perk up February. Bring your torches, lights and glowsticks to Carr Bank and banish any winter blues. We will have more announcements to make about Light Night so look out for them so you can plan a spectacular and enjoyable night out to remember.”

Light Night will feature four stunning lighting displays. They include:

• The Radiant Bandstand: The park bandstand will be adorned with 360 screens showcasing artistic performances. The surrounding area will be enhanced with spotlight seating and patterns dancing on the floor, creating a visual spectacle.
• Tranquil Tree Canopy: Visitors will be able to unwind in an area decked with fairy lights draped over the majestic trees. There will be illuminated pathways to follow with benches to take a moment to enjoy the ambience.
• Enchanted Forest: More than 250 LED candles will be scattered on the floor, with beam lights casting on rotating mirror balls. The Forest will be lit in cool tones of blue and pink while woodland animals will make appearances. Visitors might even hear them, if they listen carefully!
• Carnival Party: A multi-coloured sensory area will create a carnival atmosphere with colour, dynamic patterns, bright light, a dazzling light tunnel and radiant floating tree hula hoops. Visitors can conclude their journey sitting on LED cube chairs, while energetic music fills the air.

More news about the event will be revealed in the coming weeks and details of the event and how to get there can be found at: www.mansfield.gov.uk/events/event/1433/mansfield-light-night

Mansfield Light Night has been funded by £20,000 from the £500,000 Destination Mansfield project, which is among schemes in the district to benefit from the government’s £12.3m Towns Fund allocation to Mansfield District Council.

Mayor Andy Abrahams said: “Although some of council’s events from their own budget have had to be significantly reduced to help bridge the projected shortfall in this year’s overall council budget and in future years, we still have an extensive programme of events like never before.

“They will instead be funded through considerable pots of money that have come from our Town’s Fund allocation for Destination Mansfield and from Arts Council England.

“We intend to show that Mansfield is the events capital of Nottinghamshire and ensure that this district is where you will find plenty of family-friendly enjoyment and fun.

“Some of the events in the district will also be delivered by our partners with in-kind council support rather than direct financial support.”

They include:

• A giant world-renowned Architects of Air inflatable sculpture in Chesterfield Road Park during the school Easter holidays from Thursday 4 to Saturday 13 April. The Luminarium (above) air and light exhibition includes an inflatable sculpture will be fully accessible and features domes and a maze of winding passages inspired by bazaars.
• A tribute act performance at the Turner Hall, Mansfield Woodhouse, on 5 May. This is a Mansfield Woodhouse Community Development Group (MWCDG) event supported by the council.
• Hands On Heritage Day on 18 May.
• Party on the Market in Mansfield Market Place on Sunday 2 June will be a Mansfield BID and council event, funded by Destination Mansfield and Mansfield BID.
• Mansfield Carnival on Saturday 22 June in the town centre.
• Party in the Park will be held on Saturday 29 June at Yeoman Hill Park in Mansfield Woodhouse in partnership with MWCDG.
• Thanks & Fun will be Mansfield’s Tribute to the Armed Forces on Sunday 30 June in the town centre with a parade from West Gate to the Market Place, live music, entertainment and family activities. It is a Mansfield BID event with support from the council.
• Warsop Carnival on Sunday 7 July is Warsop Carnival Committee event with council support.
• Learning Disability Pride will be held in Mansfield town centre on Friday 12 July. The council is working with OneFest to help deliver this event.
• Mansfield Film Festival at Mansfield Palace Theatre will be held from Friday 26 to Sunday 28 July. This is being supported by NPO funding.
• The Full Shebang festival will be held in the town centre in September, by First Arts group, with support from the council.
• October is expected to see Walk the Plank Breathe, a major art installation about the human body to be installed on the green space at the Oak Tree estate. This event will be jointly funded by NPO money and by the Destination Mansfield project.

Jay Rowlinson, CEO of Mansfield BID and lead officer for the Destination Mansfield event committee, said: “This is an exciting time for Mansfield and the fun factor for residents, visitors and business is set to hit an all-time high in the next two years.

“We will work together to put Mansfield on the map, to generate footfall and demonstrate that Mansfield is a great place to live, work and visit.

“I am sure that Mansfield businesses will get behind this programme and offer a warm welcome to the thousands of people who will come to Mansfield in 2024 and beyond. We’re ready to bring events to Mansfield – are you ready to come and enjoy a great day out?”

For more details see the Events pages on the council website at www.mansfield.gov.uk/events  or sign up to the mailing for news about events at https://myaccount.mansfield.gov.uk/q/registeror follow the council’s Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/mymansfielduk.