Darkness and light: visitors invited to experience the Christmas story anew.

30th November 2022

Darkness and light will prevail throughout our cathedrals this Advent as visitors are invited to experience the Christmas story anew.

Darkness and light: visitors invited to experience the Christmas story anew.

Gloucester Cathedral is inviting people to experience its building after dark with a series of evening events when it will be lit entirely by twinkling festive lights and candles.

The Gloucester Christmas Experience at Night events include live performances by the cathedral’s musicians and an opportunity to explore the atmospheric cathedral at night lit only by its festive lights, plus an optional candlelit tour of their famous library.

Tickets must be pre-booked. It takes place on six nights starting this week.

More here.

Peterborough Cathedral welcomed thousands of visitors over four nights last week to see The Beginning by creative sound and light artists, Luxmuralis and this week it’s the turn of Sheffield Cathedral to be transformed by light with the nativity-themed The Manger, again by Luxmuralis. Digital art projections will use the interior and exterior of the building as its canvas to bring the Christmas story alive.  It is the third year Luxmuralis has brought its trademark immersive digital light and sound installations to Sheffield Cathedral, marking a successful three-year collaboration.

Darkness and light: visitors invited to experience the Christmas story anew.

Photo Credit – Sheffield Cathedral, Luxmuralis.

The Dean of Sheffield, the Very Revd Abi Thompson, said:

“It’s been a difficult and challenging year in so many ways, but Christmas is a time to look forward to. It’s also a special time of year for people and families to come together and celebrate. 

“Christmas is a time of joy, wonder and light so we want to share the Christmas story and invite everyone to come along and see the Cathedral transformed by light and sound and to start their Christmas celebrations with us.”

This week sees Liverpool Cathedral host The Light Before Christmas: The Angels are coming by Luxmuralis  .

And this year for the first time for Christmas, Winchester Cathedral will host Luxmuralis’ Star of Wonder over six nights from Tuesday 13 December.

Luxmuralis brought Science to Winchester for the first time earlier this year after announcing a three-year artistic collaboration.

And no newcomer to digital light and sound art installations, Lichfield Cathedral has announced a new collaboration with animation team, Illuminos. They are inviting visitors to journey through the story of the Nativity using the popular carol O Come All Ye Faithful with its links to local Lichfield man, Frederick Oakeley who translated the Latin carol Adeste Fideles into the English version we know today.

There will be three light installations available around the Cathedral Close: ‘O Come All Ye Faithful’ at the East end of the Cathedral, behind the Lady Chapel; ‘Joyful and Triumphant’ on the front of the Palace; and ‘Sing Choirs of Angels’ on the front of the Cathedral. The shows will play on a loop and visitors can experience Lichfield’s Christmas Tree festival inside the cathedral.

More from Lichfield Cathedral here.

Photo credit – Gloucester Cathedral, Christmas Experience at Night