Basingstoke town centre will light up this February half term, thanks to a partnership between Love Basingstoke and Festival Place.

A light trail will span The Malls, The Anvil and The Haymarket, Festival Place, Top of the Town and War Memorial Park during the week of Monday 13 February.

Visitors to War Memorial Park will be able to enjoy Emergency Exit Arts’ interactive installation of neon murals called This is the Place from Thursday 16 to Saturday 18 February from 4pm to 8pm.

For the free trail, artists have created illuminated LED neon murals that cast a glow on the surrounding environment. This Is The Place explores themes of home, belonging and migration, reflecting on the human connection to our home, the Earth, by featuring common creatures in nature, such as snails, bees and spiders.

Local technical production company Zeal Live will transform the Willis Museum with a series of light projections from Monday 13 to Sunday 19 February, between 4pm and 9pm every day. 

Two vacant shops on Loddon Mall and Church Street will be transformed into light installations by local artists, and The Anvil and The Haymarket will also be lit up in an array of colours. A guide to the half term Basingstoke town centre light trail is available at www.lovebasingstoke.co.uk, with printed copies around the town.

Leader of Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council Cllr Simon Minas-Bound said: “I’m looking forward to welcoming residents and visitors to the town centre in February half term, in partnership with Festival Place. Residents and visitors will be able to explore the illuminated trail of neon murals and reflect on our connection to our home on Earth and the natural world around us.”

During the week, a programme of free ‘make and take’ workshops will be hosted by Top of the Town businesses including:

• willow lantern making at The Dice Tower on Tuesday 14 February
• candle making at Gabardine Bar on Wednesday 15 February and Friday 17 February
• shadow puppets in The Willis Museum and Sainsbury Gallery on Thursday 16 February
• face painting at Willows Coffee House on Thursday 16 February and Friday 17 February.

Spaces for many of the workshops are limited, so those wanting to attend should book their free tickets early via www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/love-basingstoke-59808830553

More information will be shared through the Love Basingstoke social media channels and is available on the website at www.lovebasingstoke.co.uk