As the colder and darker nights draw in, it can be tempting to settle into the sofa and hibernate away until summer returns. But you’d be missing out on some of the most spectacular – and ubiquitously pleasing – events in the North: light festivals. More popular than ever, our list is bursting with more established as well as brand new events for you to explore. Best of all, light festivals are family friendly and the perfect way to light up the shorter winter days.

You might associate festivals with summer and music, but these illuminated events are a celebration of the magic of the festive period and the beauty of the buildings all around us. Some are more traditional, marking the end of the harvest season, while others showcase cutting-edge light technology; you’ll see everything from handmade, candle-lit lanterns and puppets to large-scale LED and neon sculpture.

Towns become night-time, open air galleries with something to discover around every corner. All sorts of communities get involved, from sprawling cities like Manchester, Newcastle and Leeds to seaside towns like Blackpool and tiny villages like Saltaire. Whether you’re getting involved by crafting your own wicker lantern or interacting with touch-sensitive installations, get ready to be fully immersed in the experience.