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Festival centre lights up Illuminate, including launch of first festive market
20th November 2019
Illuminate at the Yard
The Royal William Yard is set to once again come alive with light as Plymouth’s spectacular light festival, Illuminate, makes its welcome return later this month. Back for its third year, the festival centre will be transformed into an unforgettable, immersive experience. Set to be bigger and better than ever before with mesmerising light projections and interactive activities, Illuminate marks the first event of the Mayflower 400 commemorative year.
Set to magically transform the Yard on Thursday 28th November to Sunday 1st December, from 5:30pm, the unmissable free event is set to be a night to remember, promising immersive visual art, incredible light installations and a variety of interactive activities for all ages.
As darkness descends on Illuminate there’s plenty of opportunities to make the most of the evening, and the Yard’s well-known restaurants and bars are on hand to provide the perfect experience to plan your evening with friends and family. The illuminate experience will also welcome pop up traders around the yard, offering sweet treats and authentic street food to help keep you warm whilst gazing at the stunning projections.
A unique viewing exclusive to the Yard, visitors even have the opportunity to take to the water on illuminated paddleboards to not only admire the glowing spectacle but to be a part of it. Embarking from Firestone Arch, South West SUP is offering night paddling experiences throughout Illuminate. Tickets are £20 per person and limited to 10 paddlers each night, to find out more go to www.southwestsup.co.uk
Artists
Returning to the Yard by popular demand, renowned international artist Xavi Bové will be wowing visitors with Tree of Memory, a jaw-dropping installation of projection mapping, light and synchronized music. In memory of the lost, the gigantic tree will be located at Mills Bakery where it will sound subtle, individual voices that together form a choir.
Work will also be on show from local artists including Cornish husband-and-wife team, Paul Clark and Antonia Coppen. Celebrating the South West’s vibrant maritime history, their piece, Laser Halyard, will transform the Mills Bakery chimney with an interactive laser display. Audiences are encouraged to join the crew to haul a line of laser flags to the top of the chimney, while an immersive soundscape cheers them on.
Boat, bus, bike, walk to Illuminate
A busy event that attracts thousands of visitors, this year Illuminate is restricting parking in order to reduce the event’s carbon footprint, alternative travel options are available to reach the Yard. A convenient travel option, Plymouth Citybus will be providing an increased service for the duration of Illuminate. A Park and Ride option is also available, leaving from Milehouse Park and Ride to Royal William Yard (Via Stoke) and back to the City Centre, with a return journey to Milehouse Park and Ride.
Visitors can travel to the Yard aboard Plymouth Boat Trips’ ferry service, taking time to admire the coastal scenery. The marina will be open for mooring and will also feature a VIP vessel for the duration of Illuminate. Princess Yacht’s R35 – the new state-of-the-art Princess performance sports yacht – will be displayed on the Yard’s bridge pontoon and is bound to become a star of the show.
First festive market
To commemorate Illuminate, Royal William Yard will debut its first Christmas market of the season. The popular Festive Good Food and Craft Market will take place on Sunday 1st December – the final day of the event –providing plenty of opportunities to eat, shop and be merry.
Located within the Yard’s historic Melville building from 10am–3pm, visitors are promised a winter retail experience like no other; a not to be missed introduction to the Yard’s array of upcoming December markets. It’s the perfect opportunity to choose a unique gift for someone special and begin the countdown to Christmas with friends and family.
The festivities don’t stop there, following on from the Yard’s popular Good Food and Craft market, visitors to Illuminate will be treated to a special selection of pop-up traders from 5:30-9:30pm, lit by the glowing artistry. It’s the perfect taster of what to expect from the Yard’s upcoming Night Markets, on the 11th and 18th December.
Hailey Cattle, Regional Marketing Manager for Urban Splash, said: “Set to be the best year yet, we can’t wait to welcome people back to experience the exceptional artistry of Illuminate. The Yard’s countdown to Christmas is all about getting people together – and Illuminate is the perfect way to begin the festivities.
“Making the most of all that the Yard has to offer, visitors can make an evening of it by visiting one of the resident eateries or wine bar. Not to be missed, Illuminate is just the start of our bursting winter events calendar!”
Dates for the diary:
Festive Good Food & Craft Market - Sunday 1st, 8th and 15th December
Eat, shop and be merry this festive season at Royal William Yard’s Festive Good Food and Craft markets. With three markets taking place throughout December, visitors can expect mouth-watering festive food, treats and unique handcrafted gifts from some of the region’s top traders and makers, as well as children’s craft activities. Returning to its Winter home in the Yard’s historic Melville building, it’s the perfect opportunity to enjoy a merry atmosphere and tackle your Christmas shopping list.
Illuminate Light Festival - Thursday 28th November and Sunday 1st December, from 5:30–10pm
Royal William Yard is set to come alive with light again at the South West’s largest and only light festival, Illuminate. The spectacular festival will transform areas of the Yard, the festival centre, into an unforgettable, immersive experience. With mesmerising light projections and interactive activities, Illuminate is set to be bigger and better than ever before and is the perfect evening out for the whole family.
Download the Illuminate App, here https://www.woovapp.com/event/15533
Latest travel information is available on the official website https://illuminate-festival.co.uk/travel/
Late Night Shopping Market - 11th and 18th December, from 5–9pm
Experience the Yard’s first ever late-night market, embark on the ultimate retail experience and discover a selection of the region’s finest food and drink as well as exceptional crafts. Once you’ve found the perfect Christmas gift, take the opportunity to warm up and indulge with a delicious meal at one of the Yard’s many eateries.