Your York BID 
Colour & Light
Your York BID
Colour & Light
Uncover the rogues, rebels, and legends who have left their mark on York's history with Colour & Light from 4th to 22nd February
York BID is bringing Colour & Light back for 2026, this time on it’s biggest ever canvas. For the first time, two of York’s landmark buildings will be illuminated together, as York Castle Museum and Clifford’s Tower become a combined canvas for a fully choreographed projection show, transforming the Eye of York.
The continuous, looped, ten-minute show will bring York’s historic characters to life in a family-friendly projection that’s welcoming to all, completely free to see and with no tickets required.
Here's everything you need to know about Colour & Light:
- Dates: 4th – 22nd February 2026
- Times: Nightly 6-9pm (shows repeat every 10 minutes)
- Completely free – no ticket required
- Best viewing point: Eye of York, York, YO1 9WZ
- Accessibility features: the final hour of each evening features a quiet hour with reduced noise and crowd levels. There are benches available for those who need it
Mad Alice
Lund’s Court was once called Mad Alice Lane, home to an ‘Alice Smith’ rumoured to have a dark past. Legend says she was hanged for murder, but history is less certain.
Moonlight Moggie
How many times did you spot Moonlight Moggie throughout the show? Moonlight Moggie was the York Castle Museum’s cat during World War Two. She was even on the payroll, earning one shilling a week to keep the mice away!
You can spot plenty of cat statues on the rooftops of York. This trend is believed to have started in the 18th Century as a good luck symbol protecting against plague.
Eric Bloodaxe
King’s Square, at the top of the Shambles, is thought to be the site of the Viking Royal Palace – once home to the last Viking King of York, Eric Bloodaxe.
Look out for Eric Bloodaxe’s coin, with a wealth of Viking artefacts including shoes, toys, and jewellery. There’s plenty more Viking-themed fun in York this February, including the world renowned Jorvik Viking Festival.
Filey Brigg Dragon
Local legend says the villagers of Filey defeated a fearsome, people-eating dragon using parkin! It’s bones, said to still be visible jutting into the sea, are known today as Filey Brigg.
Mary Bateman
Mary Bateman, known as the Yorkshire Witch, claimed her hen could predict the end of the world. When she was hanged in 1809, thousands followed her coffin from York to Leeds Infirmary to see what would happen next.
Cottingley Fairies
In 1917, two young girls convinced the world that fairies lived by Cottingley Beck in West Yorkshire, using cleverly staged photographs. The images were later published by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, who thought they proved the existence of fairies.
Swift Nick
Many believe Dick Turpin’s notorious 200-mile journey from London to York in a day was actually completed by John Nevison many years earlier, earning him the nickname ‘Swift Nick’ from King Charles II! John Nevison is buried in St Marys Church.
Roman Legion Ghosts
In 1953, a heating engineer working in the cellar of Treasurer’s House heard a trumpet call. Then he watched in disbelief as 20 Roman soldiers march past, visible only from the knees up, as if walking on the ancient Roman street beneath the floor.
Dick Turpin
When captured at York Castle under the name John Palmer, Dick Turpin tried to send a letter to his brother for help. The letter was returned unpaid and his old schoolmaster recognised the handwriting! Turpin’s true identity was revealed, and he was sentenced to death at Tyburn.
Wild Men of York
Look up at Monk Bar and Micklegate Bar to spot York’s Wild Men statues, guarding the city from above.
Gladiators of York
Did you know the only Roman skeleton in the world with evidence of large cat bites was uncovered in York? It was one of 83 skeletons discovered in Driffield Terrace in 2004, many of which are believed to be gladiators. Many archaeologists believe there was once a Roman Amphitheatre in the city!
Barghest
Folklore is a lesser-known part of York’s history. The Barghest, a huge black dog with glowing eyes, is said to lurk in the city’s Snickelways preying on lone travellers and has even been spotted around Clifford’s Tower.
Guy Fawkes
One of York’s most famous locals, Guy Fawkes, was born on Stonegate and baptised at St Michael-le-Belfrey in 1570. He attended St Peter’s School.
Partnership Project
Colour & Light 2026 is proudly delivered by York BID, in partnership with Double Take Projections, York Museums Trust, and English Heritage.
Colour & Light 2026 and 2027 is supported by David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, and funded by York and North Yorkshire Combined Authority. The project celebrates York's status as one of only 27 UNESCO Cities of Media Arts.
Working Together to Keep York Safe
York BID take your security seriously. We have security measures you can see and, of course, ones you can’t. We ask you to help by staying alert and trusting your instincts. Our friendly Marshals are always on hand to assist you – if something doesn’t feel right, tell them straight away, and they will do the rest. In an emergency, call 999. Let’s keep each other safe.
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