UCL prepares immersive sound and light show to mark its 200th anniversary in February 2026
UCL has announced UCL Illuminated, a three-day immersive sound and light experience celebrating the university’s 200th anniversary and marking the start of its bicentennial program.
University College London (UCL) has taken to LinkedIn to announce a large-scale public event to mark its bicentenary in February 2026. UCL is London’s oldest university and a major research institution with a global academic community.
The event, called UCL Illuminated, will run from 11–13 February 2026 and will transform the Wilkins Building and the recently remodeled main Quad into a sound and light installation tracing the institution’s history from 1826 to the present day.
Event marks the start of UCL’s bicentennial program
UCL states that the experience will combine projection mapping, sound, storytelling, and animation to illustrate key moments from the university’s past two centuries. The event is open to the public, with evening showings scheduled across the three days.
In its post, UCL wrote: “London’s oldest university is getting a glow-up with UCL Illuminated. The iconic Wilkins Building and the main Quad fresh from its remodelling will be transformed into an immersive sound and light experience, telling the story of UCL from its radical beginnings in 1826 to the global community it is today.”
Showings are expected to last roughly one hour, including time to explore indoor exhibitions and activities.
Following the outdoor installation, attendees will be able to visit Two Centuries Here, a new exhibition inside the Wilkins Building highlighting UCL’s origins, former staff and students, and examples of research taking place today.
UCL encouraged the community to take part in the celebration, writing: “Come with us as we look back on two centuries of discovery, celebrate some of the remarkable students and staff who have lived and worked here, and look forward to the future.”
The ETIH Innovation Awards 2026
The EdTech Innovation Hub Awards celebrate excellence in global education technology, with a particular focus on workforce development, AI integration, and innovative learning solutions across all stages of education.
Now open for entries, the ETIH Innovation Awards 2026 recognize the companies, platforms, and individuals driving transformation in the sector, from AI-driven assessment tools and personalized learning systems, to upskilling solutions and digital platforms that connect learners with real-world outcomes.
Submissions are open to organizations across the UK, the Americas, and internationally. Entries should highlight measurable impact, whether in K–12 classrooms, higher education institutions, or lifelong learning settings.
