Tickets selling fast for Longford Lights 2026

Festival includes unique Nighttime Illuminated Bicycle Parade ’Glow on the Go’

It's one of the most visually stunning arts extravaganzas in the Midlands , the 2026 Longford Lights Festival, offers a packed programme that's sure to entertain.

The countdown is on for Longford Lights 2026, Ireland’s largest community-based light festival. It returns to Connolly Barracks, Longford Town from Thursday, February 19 to Sunday, February 22.

Now entering its fifth and final year, the 2026 festival features a trail of illuminated art and events that will inspire visitors to explore Longford Town at night. This year's event will feature 28 artworks based on the theme of ‘Lightly Playful’, staged around outdoor locations in Longford Town and Connolly Barracks.

Hosted by Longford County Council and Mide Arts Group this gathering will bring together families and friends of all ages to get together and explore the captivating art installations that transform Longford’s county town.

Longford Arts Officer and Festival Manager, Shane Crossan, spoke of the innovations of this year's event: “Perhaps one of the most exciting additions to this year’s festival is Ireland’s first ever Nighttime Illuminated Bicycle Parade- ‘Glow on the Go’.

“Longford Lights has teamed up with artist Conor McCague, the Irish Wheelchair Association and the Heartland Wheelers Cycling Club to create a nighttime parade around Longford Town finishing at the festival venue.”

Special bicycle creations called ‘Frankenstein Bicycles’ will be made for the event and illuminated with led lights and lanterns: “Youth Members of Longford’s Irish Wheelchair Association will propel the bicycles with the help of Heartland Wheeler volunteers. As far as we know, this is the first event of its kind in Ireland,” Mr Crossan said.

The nighttime parade will take place on Friday, February 20 and Sunday, February 22 at 7.30pm from Connolly Barracks.

Other highlights of this year’s gathering include ‘The Glowing Flock’ by Harveen Chintamunee, which is an illuminated performance featuring a glowing shepherd, his flock of light filled sheep and playful sheepdog puppet. This piece celebrates rural life, connection and joy through light and gentle humour.

Sky Streamers Community Project will see four hundred lantern windsocks shimmer above the Connolly Barracks parade ground each illuminated with a child’s chosen word forming the magical Sky Streamers community installation. Another feature of the Longford Lights 2026 Programme is Shadó Shadó by Liam Delaney. Nature’s movement is transformed into projected shadow imagery, forming a quiet, cinematic installation told gently through light.

The festival is delivered and funded by Longford County Council in partnership with Mide Arts Group. Funding is also provided by The Arts Council, Creative Ireland and Longford Tourism. Over 7,000 visitors came from across the country to attend the 2025 festival, which had 32 artists and 43 schools and community organisations involved.

They created 35 art installations made from thousands of lights. As with last year, 2026 will see community involvement as local groups and organisations will work with internationally and nationally celebrated artists to create the many art installations within the festival.

Longford County Council Cathaoirleach, Garry Murtagh, advised people to get booking: “2026 will see the grand finale of Longford Lights as this wonderful spectacle enters its final year. Once again it will attract a significant amount of people to Longford. I encourage people to get their tickets now and support a festival that belongs to the people of Longford.”

Chief Executive of Longford County Council, Paddy Mahon highlighted the importance of this year's festival: “Longford Lights 2026 brings our whole community together and is proudly supported by the Council. This year’s illuminated bicycle parade shows how creativity and inclusion can sit side by side in a simple way. Tickets are selling fast, so I urge everyone to book early and be part of a festival that welcomes all.”

Tickets for Longford Lights 2026 festival are on sale on LongfordLights.ie, through Ticket Tailor and Longford Arts Service. Tickets are €5 each.