A popular biennial light art festival is returning to County Durham next year, organisers have confirmed.

Visitors to Durham City will be able to enjoy the impressive Lumiere installations from November 16-19.

Historic buildings and spaces will be reimagined with a thought-provoking and entertaining new programme of spectacular commissions by UK and internationally-renowned artists.

The Northern Echo: Lumiere has creative installations Lumiere has creative installations (Image: Northern Echo)

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The free-to-attend event is produced by leading arts producers Artichoke and commissioned by Durham County Council.

Councillor Amanda Hopgood, leader of Durham County Council, said: “We are delighted to announce the return of Lumiere in 2023.

“Lumiere demonstrates our commitment to championing culture and culture-led regeneration following our campaign for UK City of Culture 2025.

“It also provides a huge boost to our economy and helps to strengthen our communities as they come together to experience the festival.

“The chance to come together with friends, family and neighbours is more important than ever in these challenging times.”

The Northern Echo: Durham Cathedral is often a central feature of the light festival Durham Cathedral is often a central feature of the light festival (Image: Northern Echo)

Since 2009, Lumiere in Durham has attracted more than one million visitors and stands as a landmark event in the cultural calendar of the North East.

For its 8th edition in 2023, the programme will continue to bring magic, joy and light to the local community, brightening the dark winter nights of November and boosting the local economy. 

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The Northern Echo: Lumiere makes a creative use of public spaces around Durham Lumiere makes a creative use of public spaces around Durham (Image: Northern Echo)

Artistic director of Artichoke, Helen Marriage said: “In these challenging times, it is all the more important that families have events to look forward to without having to worry about what it will cost to attend. 

“Lumiere is free for everyone to enjoy, the result of amazing partnerships forged over the years with Durham County Council, Arts Council England and Durham’s local institutions and businesses who all invest in the event to bring wider benefits to the community.”

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