Cathedrals are Lighting Up this Winter

Luxmuralis on Tour – Winter 2024

Visitors can find the creative duo Luxmuralis lighting up our cathedrals with their interactive sound and light installations this Autumn and Winter.

Salisbury Cathedral

A new interactive sound and light installation opened in Salisbury Cathedral on 5 November inviting visitors to journey through time, space and imagination.

Sarum Lights: Time by Luxmuralis runs until Saturday with projections across the front of the cathedral as well as inside the building with a special finale that promises to illuminate the full length of the nave, literally showing the cathedral in a new light.

The show will include examples of early cave paintings, a walk through Einstein’s theories of relativity and text from HG Wells’ The Time Machine.

For the first time there is an interactive installation called A Note to Myself, which invites visitors to write a message to their past, present or future self. The postcards will then form a growing cascade in the north transept of the Cathedral.

Sarum Lights: Time runs from Tuesday 5 – Saturday 9 November from 5.30pm each evening, with 15 minute timed slots available. Tickets must be booked in advance, and are available to purchase from the cathedral website.

Peterborough Cathedral

Next week sees the turn of Peterborough Cathedral to dazzle with the opening of Luxmuralis’ Starlight, which heralds the start of the cathedral’s Advent and Christmas programming.

Family-friendly and intergenerational Starlight will light up both the exterior and interior of the cathedral with projections and music, inviting visitors to journey through scenes from the Nativity and to embrace the season ahead.

Discounted tickets are also available to make the experience as accessible as possible in these challenging times.

Paul Stainton, Head of Communications at Peterborough Cathedral, said:

“This is the unofficial start to Christmas for so many people in the city, and the new ‘Starlight’ show will light up the interior and exterior of our amazing Cathedral like never before. 

“We are also aware that people are living through a cost-of-living crisis, so we are offering discount tickets on Tuesday night and at 8pm every night of the week, so that everyone can hopefully enjoy this magical experience.”

Starlight 12-16 November. Discounted tickets available on November 12 and for the 8pm showings each night.

Leicester Cathedral

Visitors will experience Leicester Cathedral like never before as Luxmuralis’ light and sound creation Space will illuminate the inside of the building for the first time.

From Monday 18 to Saturday 23 November the fully immersive light and sound show will tell the story of time and space, projected onto the building’s stunning architecture in the heart of the city.

Space asks us to think about what humans have achieved, and our place in the world, while experiencing Leicester Cathedral like never before. Visitors will be wander through projections of galaxies, a rocket launch, and the universe beyond, all with immersive soundscapes.

Francesca Pellegrino, the Cathedral’s Head of Visitor Experience, said:

“It is very exciting to host this amazing event in the newly renovated Cathedral. The installation is set to transform the building beautifully, creating a truly memorable experience for all.”

The Dean of Leicester, The Very Revd Karen Rooms, said:

“We are delighted to be hosting Space by Luxmuralis at Leicester Cathedral. The newly refurbished, warm, welcoming and spacious place we have created here seems the perfect place to wonder at the light and stars, reflecting on our place within the universe.”

Bristol Cathedral

Bristol Cathedral sees a return of the Luxmuralis this winter from the 25-29 November with The Beginningwhich will transform the interior of the cathedral with sound and light projections.

The Beginning is a reimagining of the Nativity Story and is the third Luxmuralis adventure in the cathedral.

Liverpool Cathedral

The Light Before Christmas: Starlight returns to Liverpool Cathedral from 29 November – 7 December following two years of sold-out success.

This event will be back, bigger and brighter than ever, with Luxmuralis lighting up one of Liverpool’s most iconic landmarks in celebration of its centenary year inviting visitors to follow the star and experience the story of the nativity in a new way.

The Very Revd Dr Sue Jones, Dean of Liverpool said

“We are delighted to see the return of the Light Before Christmas for its third year. We know how it has become a Christmas tradition for so many families, so we asked Luxmuralis to return with a brand new story to celebrate our centenary year.”  

“The Light Before Christmas: Starlight will offer visitors a different way of engaging with the Nativity story that people enjoy and love. It offers the perfect opportunity for people of all ages to come together and enjoy a festive experience.”  

Sheffield Cathedral

Sheffield Cathedral Illuminated: ‘The Gift’ will be the cathedral’s fifth son-et-lumiere by Luxmuralis.

“The Christmas Light Show at Sheffield Cathedral is a great way to kick off the Christmas season.” says Abi Thompson, Dean of Sheffield.

“People come from far and wide and the place is lit up in the most spectacular way. 

“It’s amazing how visitors can experience both peace and excitement all at the same time and so many tell us how they leave at the end of the evening feeling uplifted. 

“This is a precious time of year, and we love to share the joy of Christmas with all the thousands of people who come.”

As in previous years the event is being supported by Utilita Energy Hub.

Lichfield Cathedral

Lichfield Cathedral has invited the animation team, Illuminos to light up the cathedral with a Christmas Light Show: A Light Spectacular.

This will include a light show on the front and around the cathedral, there will be carols, and inside after-hours access to the Christmas Tree Festival.

Photo credit : Luxmuralis and Tom Gregory 2021

New for 2024 – Neuro-inclusive sessions
Limited dedicated sessions for neurodiverse individuals featuring the two outside lights shows only, with limited numbers and quieter volumes.

16 December -18 December and 20 December – 22 December

Truro Cathedral

And Truro Cathedral is welcoming in the new year with its first light and sound show, Luxmuralis’s Space for five nights from 13 January.

Space is a spectacular, immersive journey for people to experience a cathedral in a new way. By combining visual and auditory elements, Space encourages visitors to gaze into the vastness of the universe and contemplate human achievements and our place in the world

The Dean of Truro, the Very Revd Simon Robinson said

“One of the joys of being the Dean of Truro Cathedral is being able to spend time in this incredible building watching the morning or evening light move around and highlight different features. 

“Luxmuralis will give us all the opportunity to experience and enjoy this place in a new and exciting way. It’s exciting to welcome this fascinating and immersive art exhibition to the cathedral and Cornwall. I hope as many people as possible visit and discover the beauty of this place.”

Sean O’Neill, Chief Operating Officer, said

“I’ve wanted to be able to host a Luxmuralis show in Truro for years and I’m over the moon to have it here in January! 

“The show is inspiring and breathtaking, and something not seen before in Cornwall,” he added.

Head Credit : Sarum Lights by Luxmuralis 2022. Photo by Finnbarr Webster