Milton Keynes Islamic Arts and Culture returns with the City of Codes and Light Festival 2025. A free, city-wide celebration of culture, science, technology and creativity.
From 1–22 October, venues across Milton Keynes will host Constellations of Stars: Echoes Across the Sky. This year’s festival celebrates the work of Islamic astronomers such as al-Sufi and Ali Qushji and invites visitors to experience the night sky as a shared story connecting cultures and generations.
The festival features interactive installations, immersive projections, live performances, workshops, exhibitions, and community events.
Bletchley Park: Special opening event with a panel of speakers including Dr. Alice Dumford, space instrumentalist and physicist, and Ruhee S Kahar, stellar astrophysics PhD student at the University of Dundee. Get free tickets for the launch event here
This Saturday, 4th October, there will be some changes in place to help keep everyone safe while enjoying the evening in the city centre.
Road closure: From 6:00 PM, Silbury Boulevard will be closed from the MK Council Building.
Free parking: From 6:00 PM onwards, visitors can use free car parking at Cornerstone Church, with easy access to different parts of the shopping centre.
We’d love for you to come along and enjoy the evening, just remember to plan a little extra time for your journey.
You will also find our friendly security stewards lining the route of the parade from 18:00.
Thank you for your understanding and for helping us keep the event safe and welcoming for all.
Mind & Matter Projection: 7:15PM
Large-scale projection by multimedia creative studio Limbic Cinema, illuminating the MK Central Library with the story of astronomy from ancient stargazers to modern discovery. The projection will start at 7:15PM followed by the Lantern Parade.
Lantern Parade: 7:35PM
City procession led by artist Emma Garofalo, featuring willow lanterns created by local school groups inspired by stars and constellations. Starting from the MK Central City Library at 7:30PM, the parade will weave through the city ending at the John Lewis Car Park, Milton Keynes where guests can enjoy more exciting activities, music and food.
In Infinity: from 8PM
In Infinity: An immersive galaxy installation created with Goldsmiths University of London students Jie Shuai & Xin Yan. Using interactive floor projection, the work invites audiences to step into a cosmic landscape of sound and shifting light, exploring the rhythms that connect human life with the stars. Available for guests to see from 8PM at the John Lewis Car Park, Milton Keynes.
Live Music and Food Stalls: 6PM-8PM
Community evening of music, refreshments and celebration. Available from 6PM at the John Lewis Car Park, Milton Keynes.
STEAM Workshops: 21 & 22 October 9:30AM-5PM
Interactive science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics activities designed to inspire young people.
Workshop 1: Theatre style performance telling the story of STEAM heritage storytelling with focus on astronomy by Khayaal Theatre Group. These workshops are free but will need to be prebooked.
Get free tickets for the workshops here.
Workshop 2: Learn about stars and astronomy though a special computer game designed by SCIOT-MK College. These workshops will be free to drop into and don’t require tickets.
Symposium: 21 October 11AM-11:45AM
Presentation from Ruhee S Kahar and Dr. Alice Dumford exploring astronomy and space science.
Exhibition: 21 & 22 October 9:30AM-5PM
Showcasing interactive installations and artworks including:
Constellations of Stars: Echoes Across the Sky by Clemence Debaig, with contributions by Selen Lun, produced by Unwired Dance Theatre and commissioned by Milton Keynes Islamic Arts and Culture. An interactive installation exploring astronomy, cultural legacy, and Islamic astronomical heritage through motion-reactive star maps, light, sound, and poetic storytelling. Visitors can trace constellations and exchange “celestial messages” across borders.
Evening Performance: 21 October 6–7.30pm
Step into a universe of stars, music, and movement with the Turkish Whirling Sufi Dancers at Middleton Hall, centre:mk
Dates: Wednesday 1st – Wednesday 22nd October 2025
Venues: Bletchley Park, Milton Keynes City Centre, centre:mk, and various locations across the city
Free entry for all major events
Fully accessible event sites
Join MKIAC and the Milton Keynes community for a powerful and inspiring celebration of culture, science, technology and creativity.
For more event information and participation opportunities contact: mkiac@mkcollege.ac.uk
MKIAC delivers a diverse range of art projects to promote shared learning, community cohesion and cultural understanding.
MKIAC is a not for profit organisation. We'd like to thank our supporters who enable us to produce high quality of arts delivery in Milton Keynes and the surrounding areas.
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Since 2002, MKIAC has been at the forefront of promoting inclusive arts and culture in Milton Keynes which reflects the city’s cultural diversity. Read about our journey here.
