For 2023, Lumiere in Durham is set to be the “biggest yet”, as buildings and streets will be transformed for the magical light festival.

There will be more than 40 artworks dotted around Durham and Bishop Auckland to see, which will include fascinating work by artists Ai Weiwei and Rafael Lozano-Hemmer.

The programme will be extending to Bishop Auckland “as part of a biennial spotlight on the wider Durham County.”

When is Lumiere on in Durham this year?

Lumiere returns to Durham and Bishop Auckland from November 16 and will run until November 19, 2023 - opening from 4.30pm until 11pm each night.

The Spotlight on Bishop Auckland will run between 5pm–10pm and the last admission to Durham Cathedral installations will be at 10.30pm.

Do you need a ticket for Lumiere in Durham?

Tickets for Lumiere in Durham are free for everyone to attend, however, free peak-time tickets are required for those wanting to see the artworks in Durham city centre between 4.30pm-7.30pm.

The Lumiere website adds: “You can enjoy the event without a ticket from 7.30pm – 11pm each night. 

“Please be advised that there is currently a wait to book.”

Find out more about tickets and join the queue here.

The website also explains: “The artworks are numbered and marked on the map across Durham City and County: Ticketed (pink), Un-ticketed (blue) and County (green).”

How to get to Lumiere in Durham

Parking

Durham County Council will be operating a Park & Ride service throughout the festival with up to 6,000 parking spaces available at any one time.

Regular shuttle buses run until 10.30pm and shuttle fare will cost £2 per person (under-16s go free if accompanied by an adult over 21).

The Park & Ride sites are as follows:

Belmont, DH1 1SR (600 spaces)

Bus stop: Leazes Bowl/Leazes Roundabout (Eastbound Stop)

Howlands Farm, South Road, DH1 5UL (488 spaces)

Bus stop: New Elvet (Northbound Stop)

Annand House, Meadowfield,DH1 5ES (2000 spaces – weather dependent)

Bus Stop: Sutton Street (Eastbound Stop)

New College, Dryburn Road, DH1 5ES (933 spaces)

Bus stop: North Road, Opposite Station Approach (Northbound Stop)

Sniperley, DH1 5RA (300 spaces)

Bus Stop: North Road, Opposite Station Approach (Northbound Stop)

The Northern Echo:

How to travel to Lumiere in Bishop Auckland

The Lumiere website writes: “Bishop Auckland is approximately 30 minutes by car from Durham City.

“To travel by train, visit National Rail to plan your journey. The nearest station is Bishop Auckland, which is a 15-minute walk to the Market Place.

“From Durham Station you will need to take a bus to Bishop Auckland or take a train to Darlington Station and change trains.”

Road closures for Lumiere in Durham

The historic peninsula will be closed to cars from 1pm each day and other areas will be closed from 2pm.

When was the first Lumiere in Durham?

It was back in 2009 when the first Lumiere took place in Durham, as 22 light installations including neon, projections and fire were put up around the city in a “diverse artistic programme.”

The Lumiere festival website comments: “Over 75,000 visitors experienced the magic of the first Lumiere for free, which was originally planned as a one-off event.

“Durham University Botanic Gardens were transformed with 25 artworks for Power Plant, and at Durham Cathedral, crowds were treated to Crown of Light, the glorious son et lumiére by Ross Ashton, Robert Ziegler and John Del’Nero.

“The programme also featured a collaboration between prisoners at HMP Durham and artist Ron Haselden which resulted in Nine Men Drawing, a series of illuminated artworks in Crown Court Gardens.”

Find out more information about your visit on the Lumiere festival website.