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
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