Birmingham Light Festival will return this February, transforming the city into an illuminated open-air gallery.

Running from Thu 12 Feb – Sun 15 Feb, the festival’s second iteration brings with it brand-new temporary illuminated artworks that will take over the streets, squares and public spaces in Birmingham.

Bullring presents FORGED, produced by Birmingham Hippodrome, is described as a high-energy live experience transforming the Bullring with fire performances. Set to a live soundtrack of spoken word and original music from one of the city’s most exciting metal bands, Insurgent, FORGED is inspired by the sparks, steel and rhythm that shaped Birmingham.

Between performances, the spotlight turns to the public as visitors are invited to quite literally play with fire and step up to a spectacular fire-breathing organ, a bold, interactive installation which triggers bursts of flame against the night sky.

1000 Trades Square will take visitors to the home of Reunion, by Kumquat Lab, where sweeping luminous arches outside New Street Station will create a magical backdrop, while My Heart Belongs in Birmingham, by NeonCow, brings illuminated neon hearts to Lower Temple Street.

Back by popular demand and building on the theme of love, Our Beating Heart, by Studio Vertigo, will be taking up residence at Mailbox. This glittering artwork will transform the Canalside with shimmering light whilst inviting visitors to immerse themselves in disco music beside the rotating, heart-shaped mirror ball.

High over Victoria Square, The Look of Love: All Eyes on Town Hall by Designs in Air, will see giant eyes keeping watch over Colmore Business District from Birmingham Town Hall. Voted the favourite installation from the inaugural Birmingham Light Festival, the iconic silent disco is also back. This year, taking the form of a classic party game, The Silly Statues x Silent Disco by festival producers, Outdoor Places Unusual Spaces (OPUS), will transform Victoria Square into a giant game of musical statues, with disco host Madame Freeze rewarding the silliest frozen poses.

Over in the Jewellery Quarter, Firefly Field by Studio Toer will bring a delicate glow to the green space of St. Paul’s Churchyard. Delicate points of light will drift and flicker, creating a mesmerising scene inspired by the subtle movements of fireflies.

Along the canal path, in Oozells Square at Brindleyplace, The Heartbeat of Brindleyplace, by idontloveyouanymore, will see a collection of softly glowing boxes of light arrive, each one connected to, and powered by, live Brummie hearts. Part of a nationwide project, Matters of the Heart, the installation will share the stories of real people from Birmingham, connecting them to their light boxes by monitors which will pulse along with each heartbeat in real-time, wherever they are.

Meanwhile, in Edgbaston, a powerful installation invites festival-goers into the stunning setting of Birmingham Botanical Gardens, as Tipping Point, by international artist Luke Jerram, will create a thought-provoking simulated forest fire.

In collaboration with award-winning composers Dan Jones and Simon Birch, the outdoor artwork includes an immersive soundtrack, evocative audio effects and interviews with people about their experience of forest fires, bringing the reality of deforestation to life. Birmingham Botanical Gardens will also be hosting Climate Conversations, creating a space to reflect and initiate discussions around climate change. Guarantee your access to this experience by booking a free ticket via the Light Festival website.

Alongside the temporary artworks, completing the Birmingham Light Festival journey will be four legacy installations, three of which remained in situ after last year’s festival. A new installation, Where the Trees Begin, by Birmingham-based mural artist Richard O’Gorman, will see Edgbaston Village illuminated with an artwork inspired by the ancient forests that once shaped Birmingham’s landscape.

Richard’s piece was chosen by a panel after local creators and artists were asked to submit proposals for a new legacy piece, and will remain in place after the festival ends. It joins the existing legacy pieces Alright Bab! (Colmore Square), Ideas Happen Here (Newhall Square) and Roof of Stars (Thorp Street).

Businesses across the city are uniting to host a series of special events and festival exclusives. Over 50 events will be taking place across the weekend, including everything from Run the Lights, a group run starting from The Goodsyard taking in all the installations, and Paws of Light, a dog walk that makes sure furry friends don’t miss out on the action.

Edgbaston Village Night Market will give visitors the chance to explore Greenfield Crescent and discover new independent makers, while the CBSO and Canal and River Trust will be bringing back their Bringing the Light Lantern Procession after last year’s success.

You can find the full programme over on the Birmingham Light Festival website.