Coming up over the next two weeks…
Lumiere returns to Durham from Thursday, set to illuminate the city again for four nights, with a programme from Artichoke that extends beyond the city into the wider county for the first time ever. Highlights include a newly-commissioned work in collaboration with Durham University, New Writing North and leading international poets, whose illuminated words will be projected onto Durham Castle; a video-mapped journey from reflection to celebration on the façade of Durham Cathedral; and Lumiere’s first online interactive artwork that allows anyone to take part from wherever they are. There’s a packed programme of 37 artworks, including Lumiere’s new county programme ‘Marks in the Landscape’, where six international light artists were invited to respond to previous interventions in the landscape made by humans across County Durham.
Wild Rumpus are once again transforming Chester Zoo into a spectacular wonderland with The Lanterns at Chester Zoo starting today. Escape to fantastical worlds, each different from the last, that will take you on an illuminating journey showing the zoo in a whole new light. Discover incredible spaces, each filled to the brim with colourful lanterns, spectacular costumed characters and Christmas scenes.
Three nights of illuminating free events, installations and arts activities are taking place across Barnsley town centre in Barnsley Bright Nights from 25-27 Nov. Start at the Town Hall on the Thursday for a spectacular light show and festive party to switch-on the Christmas lights, then follow the Light Art Trail at venues across the town centre over all three nights of the winter festival. Highlights include STORM by Vision Mechanics with Cirque Bijou’s LED umbrellas, Mars by Luke Jerram, Surge 360 by Tom Dale Company, Luminous Birds by Kathy Hinde, Mr Wilson’s Second Liners, Sound Intervention’s Projector Bikes, and more!
On Sunday London Mela returns to present Southall Carnival of Lights, a one of a kind ‘Night Carnival’ featuring extraordinary performance, fabulously-lit floats and lots of community participation, all taking place in Southall. The procession will be led by The Dhol Company accompanied by the Munde Punjab De Bhangra Dancers, followed by over 120 lit up paper lanterns made by 240 school children. Joining the parade are Emergency Exit Arts with their magical Firebird sculpture and Nutkhut‘s fabulous stiltwalkers and Swyron. They will be promenading with Jay Kumar’s Bolly Brollys featuring Cirque Bijou’s illuminated umbrellas and Circus Flambe’s spectacular fire performers.
Luminate Coombe opens in the historic grounds of Coombe Abbey Park on Thursday, with a spectacular, illuminated light trail, full of wonder and intrigue. Immerse yourself in the mesmerising mile long trail, with stunning lighting elements and fabulous light play, all set to ambient music. Luminate Wales also returns on Thursday to Margam Country Park and Castle with the magical mile long winter light trail, encapsulating some of the highlights from 2019 along with stunning new elements.
The popular monthly Stalybridge Street Feast will be taking a spectacular twist this evening with the addition of some suitably fantastic entertainment in the shape of the Plague Doctors, Bessemer the Dragon, and Toni the Fire Bat – all courtesy of Mossley-based carnival artists Global Grooves. Stand by for them to wow the crowds with their quest to purify the dark elements with dragon fire. All this will be in addition to the usual mouthwatering array of street food and drink in the historic surroundings of Armentieres Square.
Christmas is here! Get in the festive spirit as Christmas at Longleat transforms Longleat into a magical land full of festive cheer. Journey through a mesmerising tunnel of light and sound, marvel at the magnificent musical display and surround yourself by over 100 warmly lit Christmas trees, explore the Wonderland Walk through Jungle Kingdom and Monkey Temple, wander through the Hedge Maze, listen to carols in the Main Square, and experience The Flight Before Christmas with the owls in The Longhouse.
Christmas also arrives at Kew Gardens this Wednesday with their magical winter trail. Take all the family along for the annual after-dark festivities, including sparkling tunnels of light, dancing waterside reflections, and the panoramic Palm House light display. Christmas magic also returns to Belton from 25 Nov with Christmas at Belton. Travel along the illuminated trail, pause at mesmerising flickering flames in the fire garden, gaze up at larger-than-life illuminations, and don’t forget to glimpse Father Christmas along the way.
Monday sees the return of Illuminate Light Festival in Plymouth, with two weeks of intriguing experiences at Ocean Studios in Royal William Yard and Market Hall in Devonport. Expect illuminating artworks, immersive dome screenings, creative sessions for little ones, the Plymouth Jest Fest, the Light Organ, bioluminescent print workshops, panel discussions, and more.
The amazing Wondrous Woods is lighting up the majestic grounds of Hopetoun House until 14 Nov. For the second year running the grounds are being extensively lit up to create a magical, mystical woodland journey, so grab your coats and scarves and take all the family along.
Walk through the beautiful grounds of Leonardslee Lakes & Gardens as they come to life with spellbinding illuminations, large scale projections, music and theatrical performances in Leonardslee Illuminated, starting on 25 Nov. Experience the gardens awash with light, sound, colour and festive cheer, feast on seasonal food and drink, enjoy the funfair rides, and explore the Christmas market.
Ludic Rooms invites you to a night time experience of art and light for all ages along Coventry Canal this weekend for Random String: Canals Network(ed.). Random String is Ludic Rooms’ biennial festival of arts and technology, and this year they are bringing light, sound and projections to a stretch of Coventry Canal, following a 1km trail that ends in the Canal Basin. Venture along the canal and explore artworks that transform the waterway and our sense of place. This year’s theme is Future Folk, exploring new kinds of folklore and rituals for life by the water in the 21st Century. Discover the future creatures of the urban canal, gods and goddesses of the waterways, and new kinds of folk-tales.
The award winning Lightopia Festival returns to London, to the historic Crystal Palace Park from next Friday. Promising to be London’s finest festival of lights this Christmas, see the Palace reborn in light, alongside incredible installations and routes. Lightopia Festival is also back in Manchester and ready to light up Heaton Park from 25 Nov, brighter than ever with brand new installations and routes. Embark on a magical journey through the new Fantasy themed light trail, showcasing bright immersive installations, colourful lasers, and water shows.
Head along to Christmas at Bedgebury from next Friday where over a million lights, twinkling reflections and seasonal sounds will fill the air with festive fun, in an after-dark illuminated winter woodland walk. Christmas at Dunham Massey also begins next Friday, with an illuminated trail through festive gardens full of lights, lasers, and illuminations. For two magical festive experiences head to Christmas at Blenheim Palace also from next Friday. Enjoy the after dark illuminated trail in The Great Outdoors and the story of The Nutcracker re-imagined inside the Palace.
Immersive yourself in a mind-boggling bio-hazardous adventure to find the source of the toxic gloop engulfing the thriving alternate reality of Glasglopolis in GlasGLOW this weekend. Explore Glasgow’s Botanic Gardens in a safe outdoor environment, a 60 minute route and gourmet street food village & bar, running until 14 Nov.
Start your festive season off at Cowdray Park from 24 Nov as they host a unique Christmas light trail after dark in the grounds of the historic country estate in the heart of the South Downs National Park. Inspired by the theme ‘Joy’ the work created by a select band of international artists casts the landscape in a new light, illuminating the parkland in Christmas at Cowdray.
