Lights out on Lumiere: This year’s Lumiere festival is set to be Durham’s last

This year’s Lumiere, an iconic light festival in Durham, is set to be the city’s last.

Hosted every two years and attracting millions of visitors, the festival will be held for the final time from 13th November to 15th November next month.

The event, which was first organised in 2009, will not be returning in 2027 due to the “investment and commitment” required to sustain a festival of its scale.

First launching as a one-off event – but carrying on due to its success – Lumiere has become an iconic part of Durham’s calendar, with a huge turnout from students and locals alike.

Durham residents told The Northern Echo they were “shocked” upon hearing yesterday’s decision.

However, this year’s show promises a memorable send-off, featuring nearly 30 installations and its usual light show on Durham Cathedral.

Lumiere has so far welcomed over 1.3m visitors, contributed more than £43m to Durham’s economy, engaged hundreds of local businesses and supporters and inspired over 14,000 residents and children through its projects.

Helen Marriage, the chief executive officer of the public art producer Artichoke, said: “The decision to end Lumiere in Durham has not been taken lightly.

“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.

“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?

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“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.

“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.”