Lumiere Durham

The city centre of Durham hosts a variety of illuminated installations from many worldwide artists and designers in a festival held every other year. The focus is usually on the peninsula area around Palace Green with the Cathedral itself open as part of the exhibitions – the fabric of the building  is used as a backdrop and the interior is full of lights and music. Other installations are scattered through the city including on the bridges over the River Wear and for the first time in 2021 there were exhibits further afield at landmarks around the County of Durham as well as the city. Visitors attend from all over the world and it’s easy to see why – it lights up the dark dull spell before Christmas gets going!

Helpful Hints

The festival takes place every two years on odd-numbered years. In 2023 it ran from Thursday 16th to Sunday 19th November- 2025 dates are yet to be announced. Click the link below for full programme, map and locations.

Overcrowding can be a problem  – if you’re able to, go outside the most popular visiting hours around 7pm. The park and ride service is very handy but may fill up at peak times so if travelling by car be prepared to park outside the centre and walk in- and take a torch as it seems very dark when you get away from the streetlights. Maps with all the locations marked are handed out on the night or you can download them from the website. It took us 3 hours and we didn’t see everything so allow plenty of time (and we went at around 8.30 so we’d have needed longer if we’d been there when it was busiest).

Click here for the event website : http://www.lumiere-festival.com