Morecambe's popular 'Illuminations festival' will not happen in 2026 but organisers say it will be back the following year bigger than ever.
The organising team announced on Thursday that the event, which began in 2023, will "pause" next year.
Morecambe Sparkle CIC said Baylight '26 "will not go ahead due to current financial and time constraints".
The 2025 festival, centred around Morecambe Promenade during the February half-term weekend, pulled almost 20,000 people and generated £1.3m for the local economy.
The event featured a light art trail along the seafront and a popular parade along the Prom.
Morecambe Sparkle CIC said they would now "focus all efforts on fundraising, planning, and building partnerships for Baylight 27—an expanded edition that promises to be the most ambitious yet".
They said it was "a strategic pause - a proactive step to secure the funding, infrastructure, and creative development needed to ensure the long-term success of the festival."
“This pause allows us to think bigger, plan smarter, and come back stronger,” said a spokesperson for Morecambe Sparkle CIC.
“Baylight means a lot to Morecambe, and with the right support, we know 2027 can be our best festival yet.”
In just three years, Baylight has become a headline fixture in Morecambe’s event calendar and a magnet for thousands of visitors who come to see a series of creative lit-up art installations on the seafront.
Baylight '23 welcomed around 21,000 visitors, generating over £800,000 in local economic impact, then in 2024 it attracted an even larger audience of 28,000 visitors, delivering a wider impact of £900,000 to the local economy.
"In addition to boosting tourism and business spend, the festival has created a sense of celebration and pride that has rippled far beyond the seafront—lighting up both winter nights and the town’s growing reputation," said a Morecambe Sparkle CIC spokesperson.
"Baylight’s success is the result of dedicated collaboration, generous sponsorship, and unwavering community support.
The Baylight 2024 parade. Photo: Robin Zahler.
"The Morecambe Sparkle CIC board extends heartfelt thanks to Morecambe Town Council - sponsors of Baylight ’23, ’24 and headline sponsor of Baylight ’25; Lancaster City Council – providing emergency funding in autumn 2024 including support from the LERG fund, officer teams, and public realm support; Lancashire County Council for awarding the LERG (Lancashire Economic Recovery & Growth) Fund and providing emergency funding in autumn 2024; Morecambe BID – provided match funding in 2022 and official sponsor of Baylight ’23, ’24 & ’25; Wright & Lord Solicitors – Baylight ’24 & ’25; Waters & Atkinson – Baylight ’24 & ’25; Althams Butchers – Baylight ’24 & ’25; Morecambe FC Community Foundation – Baylight ’24 & ’25; Midland Hotel – Baylight ’24 & ’25; MJ Catterall - Baylight ’25; Mammoth Scaffolding – official scaffolding contractors to Baylight ’25; EDF Energy - Baylight ‘24; Royal Bar & Shaker - Baylight ‘24."
The Sparkle team said they would launch a public fundraising campaign in autumn 2025, work with city and county councils to explore inclusion of Baylight in the 2026–27 budget cycle, strengthen partnerships with community organisations, creatives, and funders to create another parade, and plan a bigger, more sustainable event with even greater reach, economic value, and cultural impact.
Baylight supporters will receive regular updates on progress, fundraising, and behind-the-scenes planning via: baylightmorecambe.co.uk and follow @BaylightMorecambe on social media.
Read more: Morecambe's Baylight festival pulls almost 20K visitors and boosts economy by £1.3m - Beyond Radio
Man accused of stealing joints of meat at Lancaster Asda by hiding them in his trousers
LISTEN and PHOTOS: Spectacular display of 12,000 poppies unveiled at Lancaster landmark
Eden Project Morecambe boss gives update on early stages of work on new £100m attraction
Lancaster, Morecambe and Carnforth Remembrance services announced
Road closures for pre-Tour de France work announced for Lancaster district
Lancaster rock guitarist braves beard shave for charity
Two arrests made after post office robbery in Lancaster
BBC Philharmonic Orchestra to perform concert for schools at Morecambe Winter Gardens
PHOTOS: Plans go in for major Lancaster regeneration scheme
Lancaster music venue's heartfelt message ahead of final night on New Year's Eve
Morecambe school named among one of England's most improved for attendance
Lancaster hospital nursing boss appointed to University of Cumbria honorary role
Morecambe Football Club placed under another embargo by the National League
£1.5m Lancaster scheme to boost water quality in River Lune is complete
Family pays tribute to Lancaster pensioner who died in road crash
Popular artist's print of Morecambe Bay Academy to be launched at alumni evening
Work set to begin on new Heysham skate park
Light Up Lancaster promises to illuminate city with ‘No Boundaries’
Sadness as Morecambe sports and social club suffers break-in on night of reopening
Man arrested after death of pensioner in Lancaster road crash
