Light and Sound Spectaculars this Advent
24th November 2021
Light and sound spectaculars bring the Christmas story to life his Advent.
Angels at Peterborough, the Beginning at Sheffield and Lichfield Illuminated
The Angels are coming … Peterborough Cathedral
The story of Christmas will be brought to life in a light and sound spectacular at Peterborough Cathedral this week when it welcomes The Cathedral Illuminated 2021: The Angels Are Coming.
The digital light and sound installation has been created by artistic duo, Luxmuralis and will mark the start of Peterborough Cathedral’s Advent season.
The show begins outside with projections onto the three great porticos of the Cathedral’s west front, followed by the transformation of the interior of the nave; both outside and inside has accompanying sound by composer, David Harper.
Artist director, Peter Walker of Luxmuralis, said:
“We are delighted to bring our work to Peterborough Cathedral. The Angels are Coming will bathe the iconic west front in light, telling the nativity story and bringing the traditions of Christmas to life in a way the Cathedral has never seen before.
“It will be a perfect way to start Advent, and for families and friends to come together and experience something new in this majestic place. This will be a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the joy of the season, and to be immersed in sound and light as visitors witness the outdoor show and then walk amongst the stars within the Cathedral itself.”
Canon Tim Alban Jones, Vice Dean of Peterborough said:
“Advent and Christmas are always very special times at Peterborough Cathedral and this year is no exception. This splendid re-interpretation of the Christmas story in light and sound is a way of helping us to see these familiar things in an entirely different way. Whether you are aged 3 or 93, this promises to be a truly memorable experience.”
Entry to the show is by timed ticket which you can get by clicking this link.
The Cathedral Illuminated 2021: The Angels Are Coming: 24 November – 27 November 2021
Sheffield Cathedral – The Beginning
Sheffield Cathedral will tell the story of the nativity in a new way with Christmas lights spectacular, The Beginning, which will transform the building inside and out with light and sound installations created by Luxmuralis.
Sheffield was the first Cathedral to host The Angels are Coming which attracted almost 12,000 visitors and was due to host this latest show, The Beginning last year but it was postponed due to the Covid pandemic.
The Beginning will tell the story of the Nativity in an immersive light and sound show enhanced by the cathedral’s stained-glass windows and complemented by its community Christmas Tree Festival.
The Revd Canon Keith Farrow, Vice Dean and Canon Missioner of Sheffield Cathedral, said:
“The celebration of the birth of Christ signifies new hope.
“The Beginning represents this in so many ways. It is the beginning of Advent and the anticipation of Christmas at the Cathedral and we want to share the hope and joy of the Christmas story with everyone.
Luxmuralis’ Artistic Director Peter Walker said:
“We are delighted to be able to return to Sheffield and present this new adapted work. The people are fantastic and we know the city comes alive at Christmas. We are looking forward to working with the Cathedral again and everyone enjoying the uplifting light show and beautiful music.”
Tickets for The Beginning are on sale from www.sheffield-cathedral.org
The Beginning opens on Tuesday 30 November and runs through to Sunday 5 December.
Lichfield Cathedral: The Cathedral Illuminated: The Manger
Lichfield Cathedral too will bring the story of the nativity to life in sound and light installations projected throughout the interior of the 900-year-old gothic building and on its facade.
The Creative team at Luxmuralis have re-imagined the first story of Christmas for the 21st century with this year’s The Cathedral Illuminated: The Manger.
A spokesperson for the Cathedral said: “The award-winning ‘The Cathedral Illuminated’ will see the magnificent centuries old building bathed in sound and light. It’s a not-to-be-missed, wonderfully family-friendly event, which brings to life the story which lies right at the very heart of Christmas.”
Tickets for The Cathedral Illuminated, which runs each evening from Thursday 16th to Wednesday 22nd December, can be purchased from the Lichfield Cathedral website (www.lichfield-cathedral.org) where details of all the Advent and Christmas services can also be found.
Inside the Cathedral visitors can find the annual Christmas Tree Festival which opens this Saturday 27 November and runs through to Sunday 02 January.
The Cathedral will be decked with 45 Christmas Trees, decorated and sponsored by business, charities, local organisations and schools, ranging from Lichfield Litter Legends to the National Memorial Arboretum, and from Pool House Vets to the Plant Pot Garden Centre.
Visitors will be able to vote for their favourite tree and all proceeds raised will go to the Friends of Lichfield Cathedral who work tirelessly to raise money to support the 900 year old Cathedral and to preserve it for future generations.
Photo credits – Peter Walker, Luxmuralis.
Take a look at all the events and services taking place this Winter.
