West End Lights is only possible because of you, our Illuminators. Whether you are an experienced illuminator in WEL or somebody who has only recently moved into the area, you are welcome to be part of this unique community experience.
What is West End Lights?
Lincoln’s annual home grown pop-up festival of light not only takes to the streets but lights them up too!
Front windows become cinema screens, shadow puppets step out of the darkness and light sculptures bloom in West End gardens. It’s created entirely by volunteers, local residents both old and new and shines for one night only each year.
Its heart though is here in the West End of Lincoln city where each year images flicker from houses, projections creep up walls and lights bud and open in roadside trees.
It’s become a unique local tradition when residents wrap up warm to gather on street corners to marvel at their neighbours’ creations and surprised passersby stop in their tracks to look again at the trickery of light that has magically appeared out of the darkness in front of them.
In 2025, we will glow again on 5/12/2025.
Put Yourself on the Map for 2025
Are you ready to be part of the magic? Whether you’re planning to illuminate your home or offer a charitable contribution to warm the hearts (and hands!) of visitors, we want to put you on our map.
Add your illumination or contribution now by filling in our simple form at: https://lincoln-west-end-lights.com/mapform
This year, like last, we’re not only mapping illuminations but also showcasing charitable contributions across our community. Planning to offer home-baked treats, warming drinks, handmade crafts, or any other inspired creation for a good cause? We want to feature you! All we ask is that contributions are for charity or offered free of charge – it’s all about community spirit.
See who’s already glowing: Check out the growing map of this year’s illuminations and contributions at https://www.lincoln-west-end-lights.com/west-end-lights-2025/ (updates don’t happen instantaneously, updates every few days)
If you’re offering both an illumination and a charitable contribution, simply fill in the form twice (once for each). We’ll add you to the map with the appropriate icon so visitors can find all the wonderful offerings across the West End on the night.
Stay in the loop
Stay in the loop by joining our illuminators mailing list (see bottom of the page!), where you’ll receive all the latest updates and news about this year’s West End Lights and future iterations. If you have joined the mailing list in previous years, no need to do so again. You will receive all the important information already.
Join the mailing list
If you are new and are considering joining the fun this year, and you want to be in the loop about activities and news, simply register below to be signed up to our illuminators mailing list, to receive all the updates in preparation for this and all coming West End Lights. If you have signed up before, we hope you will still be joining us again, and have kept you on the mailing list, so there is no need to sign up again. The only requirement: You need to have access to a house in the Lincoln Westend (and immediately neighbouring areas, we are very tolerant!) to illuminate. Once you have registered below, you’ll soon receive a welcome email from the organising team, and we will soon let you know how you put yourself on our map for the big night to glow.