What’s Lighting Up 2026 at Making Trails

We’re stepping into 2026 with a glow still hanging in the air from a very busy end to last year, and plenty to look forward to in the months ahead.

Just before Christmas, Gary the giant gonk headed out into the world as part of East Staffordshire Borough Council’s Canvas of Light event, with projections by Luxmuralis. Over three evenings, Burton town centre was transformed with large-scale light projections, sound and colour, drawing people into the Memorial Garden and surrounding area for a festive wander. Visitor numbers were estimated at between 8,000 and 10,000 across the three days, creating a brilliant buzz and a real sense of shared experience in the heart of the town.

Seeing Gary out in the wild, surrounded by light, laughter and curious passers-by, was a lovely reminder of what public art can do at its best: give people a reason to pause, explore and enjoy their place together.

Now, we’re turning our attention to the year ahead, starting with The Big Tourism Conference on 15 January at Uttoxeter Racecourse. The conference brings together tourism, culture and place-based organisations from across Staffordshire, and we’re really looking forward to being part of the conversation. We’ll also be sharing news of an exciting new project on the day, which we’ve been quietly working on behind the scenes.

Spring is shaping up to be a busy one for us too. We’ll be delivering two trails, each with their own character and sense of place. The Amber Valley Ay Up Me Duck Trail will see a flock of much-loved ducks popping up across the borough, while Branston’s Pickle Pots Trail will bring colour, creativity and a playful twist to the town, celebrating local identity and heritage.

From illuminated winter moments to springtime trails and big announcements, 2026 is already shaping up to be a busy one. Looking ahead, our giant gonk trail is available to hire for Christmas and other seasonal moments throughout the year. While gonks are a firm festive favourite, they can also be painted and themed for events such as Easter or bespoke campaigns, offering a playful, high-impact way to draw people in and create memorable moments. If you’re planning ahead and would like to explore how a gonk trail could work for your place, get in touch.