This years Lumiere Festival will be "The Last" due to investment concerns.

Artichoke, the UK’s leading producer of ambitious public art, and Durham County Council, have today announced that this year’s Lumiere will be the final edition. People have reacted to the news with saddness and frustration following the announcement that the UK’s landmark light art biennial will illuminate the city one last time from Thursday 13 – Saturday 15 November 2025, with a spectacular programme of international commissions, UK premieres and community projects.

Since its beginnings in 2009, Lumiere has become the UK’s pre-eminent light art biennial,
inspiring many other events across the UK. Its regular transformation of Durham’s streets,
riverbanks and landmark buildings has established the city firmly on the national and
international culture map, demonstrating new ways in which the work of great artists can
reach the broadest possible public. Lumiere’s impact has been far reaching and includes
having:

● Welcomed more than 1.3 million visitors
● Contributed more than £43 million to the local economy
● Inspired over 14,000 local residents and schoolchildren through Learning and
Participation projects
● Engagement of hundreds of local businesses, institutions and supporters
whose backing has been central to Lumiere’s success

Helen Marriage, Artistic Director and CEO of Artichoke, said:

“When we first brought Lumiere to Durham in 2009, we didn’t know if it would work. Could
we bring people together, outside, in November, to see a city transformed by light? Fifteen
years on, Lumiere has become part of Durham’s story. It has sparked joy and conversation,
from breathtaking projections on the Cathedral to quiet moments of light in hidden corners.
“The decision to end Lumiere in Durham has not been taken lightly. Lumiere is unique in
Artichoke’s portfolio as a regularly recurring event and has been made possible through
remarkable partnerships with Durham County Council, Arts Council England, and for the first
time this year, the Northeast Combined Authority. From the very first Lumiere, the
commitment of local businesses, institutions and individuals has helped us to light up the
city. But to sustain a festival of this scale and ambition requires investment and commitment
at a level that is increasingly difficult to secure. Rather than diminish what makes Lumiere
extraordinary, we have chosen to close this chapter with celebration.

“While this marks the end of Lumiere in Durham, its legacy will live on in the memories of
those who visited, as well in the skills, confidence and ambition in everyone that has played
a part in bringing it to life. As we return this November, Lumiere will be a love letter to
Durham. A fitting farewell that reminds us of the power of public art to bring people together
and imagine different futures.”

Cllr Andrew Husband, Leader of Durham County Council, said:

“County Durham is immensely proud to have hosted Lumiere since 2009. The festival has
helped put our city and county on the world stage, attracted more than a million visitors, and
created lasting opportunities for local people and businesses. While this will be the final
Lumiere in County Durham, its impact will live on through the communities and young people
it has inspired.

“This is by no means the end of light art or major events in County Durham. We recognise
the power of culture to enhance the vibrancy of our towns and villages, promote growth and
raise aspirations. This is an opportunity for us to take time to reassess how we present light
art in County Durham and explore new ways to fire people’s imaginations and bring
communities together. We thank Artichoke and all of our partners for their extraordinary
vision and commitment, and we look forward to celebrating this last edition together.”

Jane Tarr, North Director, Arts Council England, said:
"Over 15 years, Lumiere has illustrated how sustained investment and strong partnerships in
creativity and culture can deliver extraordinary results for local communities and the visitor
economy. Its legacy in Durham will be felt for many years to come, where it has been an
inspiration and has set a new bar for what can be achieved. This final edition will be a fitting
celebration of its transformative power and, as a supporter and advocate for culture, we are
excited about what comes next.”

Lumiere 2025: Final programme highlights:

The final edition of Lumiere will take place in Durham City and in Shildon:

● Durham Cathedral will once again be a focal point, with major new commissions
including EVERYONE EVER by US artists Nighthouse Studio, transforming the
Cathedral nave into a poetic confrontation in stone and light, and Solace by Amelia
Kosminsky (UK), filling the Cloister with hundreds of handmade lanterns suspended
in mid-flight.

● On Palace Green, Jigantics’ Elysium Garden will create a supersized illuminated
flower meadow, a kaleidoscope of colour and light celebrating empathy and hope.

● Works across the city will explore themes of nature and climate, from giant glowing
koi carp suspended over Prebends Bridge (The River by Cédric Le Borgne, France)
to ethereal electronic encounters with the natural world (The Garden of Shadows by
Jony Easterby, UK).

● Community creativity remains central, with hundreds of residents taking part in
lantern-making workshops for Glimmer, presented in both Durham and Shildon.

● Lumiere’s BRILLIANT commissioning scheme continues to champion emerging
talent, showcasing five new light works including three by County Durham artists.

● For the first time, Lumiere also shines a spotlight on Shildon, celebrating 200 years of
railway heritage with new works at Locomotion, including a spectacular projection by
NOVAK.

Lumiere tickets
Lumiere in Durham City and Shildon runs from 17:00-22:00 each night from Thursday 13
November to Saturday 15 November. Tickets will be required to enter the central controlled
zone in Durham City throughout each evening and should be booked in advance. There is a
booking fee of £1.50 per ticket. More than half the installations are outside the ticketed zone
and can be visited without a ticket. Tickets are not required for Shildon at any time.

Tickets are now available to book: www.lumiere-festival.com