This week it was announced a trail of dazzling art installations will light up Southend seafront next month.

The first ever Southend LuminoCity Festival of Light will bring four incredible nights to the city in February 2022.

Here we look at everything you need to know. 

When will it take place and what will it involve?

There will be nine largescale interactive light installations that will pop up around the town centre and seafront next month.

No specific dates have been announced but it will take place over four nights. 

The LuminoCity installations come from around the world including New York, Dubai, Lyon, Moscow, Baltimore, Jerusalem, Amsterdam, Romania, Berlin, Denmark, Moscow, Singapore, to name a few.

One of the installations is set for its UK premiere.

Southend’s illuminations were started in the 1930s and at one point were judged the third best in the world.

Echo: A picture shows what the illuminations used to look like in SouthendA picture shows what the illuminations used to look like in Southend

The old illuminations which stopped in 2007, to the disappointment of generations of families who spent their summer evenings amid the glistening seafront lights.

Talks about having the illuminations trail to boost tourism started more than a year ago.

What has the council said?

Councillor Carole Mulroney, cabinet member for environment, culture, tourism and planning, said it will be something Southend residents have never seen before.

“I am thrilled to announce that we will be hosting the first ever Southend LuminoCity Festival of Light.

“This event will be something our residents will never have seen before in Southend, and the exciting trail of artwork provides a free, fun event for the whole family.

Echo:

“Hosting global artists’ work in our town, including a UK premiere, goes to show that our soon-to-be city has the pulling power of much larger, well-established cities.

“We are just finalising some of the details and will make a further announcement very soon, including full details of each light installation, and a handy guide for families to use.”

The event has been funded through the Government’s welcome back fund.

Chairman of the Southend Tourism Partnership, Jacqui Dalimore, said: “This is such an exciting event for the town.

“This is something that we have never seen before and it will bring a much-needed boost for our economy, as we expect thousands to flock to town to see the interactive light displays, take pictures and enjoy Southend.

“I am pleased the tourism partnership and the council have collaborated to bring this event to the town.”

Further information on this event will be released shortly.