Britain's What's On Event Guide
UCL Illuminated
Book your tickets now for UCL Illuminated, a spectacular central London sound and light show and opening event, celebrating 200 years of UCL.
Running on the evenings of 11, 12 and 13 February 2026, with multiple shows each night, UCL's iconic Wilkins Building, Portico and newly remodelled Quad will be transformed into a Son et lumiére - an immersive sound and light experience using state-of-the-art 3D projection mapping.
As evening falls, attendees will be transported back to the streets of London in 1826, where they’ll watch the story of UCL's foundation. A tour de force of light, music and animation, projected onto the historic Wilkins Building, will chronicle 200 years of UCL history, from a small community of intellectuals on the city’s edge to the global powerhouse of science, arts and humanities research it is today.
The show will pay homage to UCL’s most notable figures, from Nobel Prize winners to Oscar winners, finishing with an optimistic look to the university’s future.
Produced by Double Take Projections, the display will kick off a year of bicentennial celebrations as the university marks its 200th anniversary. This is not just for staff, students and alumni - everyone is invited!
Tickets are available to book online and cost £5 each, which includes entry to UCL Illuminated and a UCL souvenir gift. Running time of UCL Illuminated is 12 minutes and visitors will have plenty of time to explore the Quad, stalls and exhibition. Proceeds from the sale of all tickets will support UCL200 Scholarships, helping to create a lasting legacy for UCL’s Bicentenary.
Under-16s will be able to attend for free, as long as they are accompanied by an adult.
Running on the evenings of 11, 12 and 13 February 2026, with multiple shows each night, UCL's iconic Wilkins Building, Portico and newly remodelled Quad will be transformed into a Son et lumiére - an immersive sound and light experience using state-of-the-art 3D projection mapping.
As evening falls, attendees will be transported back to the streets of London in 1826, where they’ll watch the story of UCL's foundation. A tour de force of light, music and animation, projected onto the historic Wilkins Building, will chronicle 200 years of UCL history, from a small community of intellectuals on the city’s edge to the global powerhouse of science, arts and humanities research it is today.
The show will pay homage to UCL’s most notable figures, from Nobel Prize winners to Oscar winners, finishing with an optimistic look to the university’s future.
Produced by Double Take Projections, the display will kick off a year of bicentennial celebrations as the university marks its 200th anniversary. This is not just for staff, students and alumni - everyone is invited!
Tickets are available to book online and cost £5 each, which includes entry to UCL Illuminated and a UCL souvenir gift. Running time of UCL Illuminated is 12 minutes and visitors will have plenty of time to explore the Quad, stalls and exhibition. Proceeds from the sale of all tickets will support UCL200 Scholarships, helping to create a lasting legacy for UCL’s Bicentenary.
Under-16s will be able to attend for free, as long as they are accompanied by an adult.
Wed 11 Feb 26 to Friday 13 Feb 26
Gower Street London WC1E 6AE
Evenings of 11, 12 and 13 February 2026. Shows at 17:15, 18:30. 19:35, 20:40 and 21:45
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