Date revealed for possible return of Walsall Illuminations

Walsall Council has revealed a potential date for the return of a much-loved winter attraction.

Earlier this week, Reform’s deputy leader Councillor Nicky Barker announced the council was in ‘advanced talks’ to bring back the Walsall Illuminations.

Now, the authority has confirmed the event could be up and running as early as October 2027.

Walsall Council said ‘considerable work is still needed’ to establish whether the illuminations can actually return. An assessment of the Arboretum’s electrical infrastructure is currently underway.

A feasibility study, including estimated costs and potential funding arrangements, will be shared with councillors for a full review in due course.

Walsall Illuminations once attracted large crowds to the Arboretum over several weeks every autumn.

The festival included laser shows, lakeside displays and a variety of other light performances.

The first Walsall Illuminations was held in 1951 and was launched as part of the Festival of Britain.

It ran until 2008 before it was eventually scrapped for good by the Conservative council administration in 2011. At the time the authority said it was losing six-figure sums each year due to falling visitor numbers.

Councillor Nicky Barker, deputy leader of Walsall Council, said: “The Walsall Illuminations are an important part of the borough’s history and something that lots of residents remember very fondly.

“Our aim is to secure the long-term future of the Illuminations, creating an attraction that residents can take pride in and families can enjoy for years to come.”

By Rachel Alexander | Local Democracy Reporting Service