Lumiere Event FAQs

Answers to all of your questions about the UK’s light art biennial.

THE EVENT

  • Lumiere is the UK’s light art biennial. It is a free-to-attend, four-day event that transforms the historic city of Durham every other year in November into a giant outdoor art gallery of spectacular light installations. 

    The programme features artworks by local and international artists and year-round Learning and Participation projects. 

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

  • Lumiere returns to Durham from 1619 November 2023.   

  • Lumiere opens from 16:30-23:00 each night.

    The Spotlight on Bishop Auckland will run between 17:00–22:00 each night.

    Last admission to Durham Cathedral installations is 22:30.

    Illuminated Bottle Rack by Ai Weiwei in Durham Cathedral is likely to be extremely popular. Why not visit earlier in the day? It will be open for extended hours: from 10:00–15:30 during the day, and 16:30–23:00 in the evening. On Sunday 19 October, installation is open from 12:00 – 14:00, and 16:30–23:00 in the evening. Entry is not guaranteed.

    You will need a free peak-time ticket to visit the artworks Durham City centre (in pink on the map) from 16:30 – 19:30. You must enter within your allocated time slot.

  • You do not need a ticket to attend  Lumiere 2023.

    There are a limited number of peak-time tickets available for Thursday and Friday – book here.

    But, remember, peak-time tickets are only needed to see the artworks in Durham City Centre between 16:30 – 19:30. If you have a ticket, you must enter within your allocated time slot.

    You can see all the artworks without a ticket from 19:30 – 23:00 each night.

    There are three ticket barriers: Elvet Bridge; Claypath and Framwellgate Bridge. If you want to visit the artwork within the Market Place, it is best to use either Claypath or Framwellgate Bridge. There is no access to the Market Place from the Elvet Bridge entrance.

    You don’t need a ticket to visit the Spotlight on Bishop Auckland.

  • Lumiere is produced by Artichoke, a registered charity and the UK’s largest artistic production company presenting work in the public realm.  

    Lumiere in Durham is commissioned by Durham County Council and supported by Arts Council England and a raft of other sponsors and supporters.  

  • Yes, Lumiere is always completely free for the public to attend.

  • Lumiere and the producers at Artichoke are committed to working collaboratively with Durham County Council and the local community to deliver a sustainable and environmentally-conscious event.

    Lumiere will engage industry experts, A Greener Future, to undertake a carbon impact assessment of the event for 2023. Artichoke (Producers of Lumiere) is also signed up to Vision: 2025, a network of over 500 outdoor events and businesses taking climate action towards net zero. 

  • Accommodation fills up quickly for Lumiere so we recommend booking as early as possible. For details of places to stay across the county, prices and availability, call the Durham Visitor Contact Centre on 03000 26 26 26*, email [email protected] or visit This is Durham.

    *Cost of a local call, calls from mobiles may vary. 

ACCESS

  • Please refer to Map 2: Accessible Parking and Road Closures in the ‘Access’ tab for information about parking in Durham City and Bishop Auckland. 

    There is no dedicated accessible car parking for the event. All of the Park and Ride car parks for Lumiere have Blue Badge parking bays which are available on a first-come, first-served basis (shown on Map 2). All buses have accessible facilities and the Park and Ride sites at Belmont, Sniperley and Howlands have accessible toilet facilities.

    Concessionary bus pass holders can travel for free.

    We do not recommend parking in Durham City as the peninsula area will be closed to traffic from 14:00 each day and there will be additional road closures and parking suspensions. However, if you still choose to do so, there is accessible parking available in the multi-storey car parks in the city centre.

  • All accessible bays located within the road closure areas have been suspended.

    Blue badge holders can use other available on-street pay & display bays free of charge and without a time limit when they display their blue badge.

    Dedicated blue badge bays are available in many off-street car parks although numbers are limited.

    In addition, The Sands multi-storey car park (operated by Durham County Council) has accessible parking. Durham City car parks – Durham County Council

    These car parks are available for parking but are exempt from ‘Free after 14:00′:

    Please refer to Map 2: Accessible Parking and Road Closures in the ‘Access’ tab for information about parking in Durham City and Bishop Auckland.

  • Please refer to Map 1: Routes in the ‘Access’ tab.

    This map shows areas of Durham which are steep, narrow or have a poor surface. The routes are rated from 1 – 4. Route 1 is an ‘advisable pedestrian route’ and Route 4 is a ‘non-accessible route for wheelchair users’. Lift access and a one-way system are also shown.

    Please note, that on the Riverside footpath route from Prebends Bridge to Framwellgate Bridge, there is no access for wheelchair users or buggy access. There is an alternative route via South Street.

    Saddler Street, Owengate & North and South Baileys are difficult for buggies and wheelchair users because of the steep cobbled streets.

    Access to Walkergate requires the use of the slip road up onto Claypath as steps to Millennium Place. There is also a lift servicing the car park.

    Durham is famed for its cobbled, steep and winding streets. This means getting around some of the installations can be challenging for some people. If it rains the cobbles can get slippery. Lumiere is an event that takes place outside at night and the streets will be very busy at times. Thursday and Sunday nights are usually quieter times to visit.

    If you have any questions or need more information to plan your route, please get in touch with us at [email protected].

  • There are three ticket barriers, Elvet Bridge, Claypath and Framwellgate Bridge: 

    If you want to visit the artworks within the Market Place, it is best to use either Claypath or Framwellgate Bridge. There is no access to the Market Place from the Elvet Bridge entrance.

  • There will be local assistance points along the route managed by Lumiere volunteers to help wheelchair users and other audience members with reduced mobility. In cases where audience members with mobility needs do not feel they can continue on the trail, they will be guided against the flow to the nearest suitable location.

    Please refer to Map 1: Routes in the ‘Access’ tab.

    This map shows areas of Durham which are steep, narrow or have a poor surface. The routes are rated from 1 – 4. Route 1 is an ‘advisable pedestrian route’ and Route 4 is a ‘non-accessible route for wheelchair users’. Lift access and a one-way system are also shown.

    Where the route is not suitable for wheelchair users or buggy access, an alternative route will be suggested by our Volunteers, where possible.

    From Saturday 11 November, Lumiere volunteers at the Visitor Hub (1 Millennium Place, Durham) will be briefed to provide access support, including which route to take.

    If you have any questions or need more information to plan your route, please get in touch with us at [email protected].

  • There are both accessible toilets and Changing Places facilities available in Durham City and Bishop Auckland during Lumiere

    Please refer to Map 3: Accessible and Changing Places toilets.

    Please note, the accessible toilet in Bishop Auckland Town Hall is open 10:00 – 16:00 and 17:00 – 2:00 on all 4 days for Lumiere. As you can see there is a 1-hour closure from 16:00 – 17:00. The toilet is on the 1st floor with lift access.

  • Please refer to Map 4: Sensory Information in the ‘Access’ tab.

    This map indicates where specific types of spaces have been identified. This includes bright, dark, busy, quiet, noisy and smelly areas. 

    A designated Quiet Room is available at St Nics church, on Market Place in Durham City for individuals who need a break from sensory stimulation.

    Noise-cancelling headphones and earplugs for visitors with sensory sensitivities are available in the Lumiere Visitor Hub (Millennium Place, Durham, DH1 1WA) and the Quiet Room.

    Sunflower lanyards will be available on request from the Visitor Hub at Gala Theatre in Millennium Place. Our Lumiere Volunteers and stewards will be briefed to understand that the wearer has a hidden disability and may need additional support.

    Lumiere is a very popular event and large numbers are expected to attend. It is always busiest in Durham peninsula (the pink area), which this year will be ticketed during peak-time hours: 16:30 – 19:30. There are plenty of artworks located outside of the peninsula where it will be less busy, and you may prefer to visit these instead.

    Thursdays and Sundays tend to be quieter, so you might consider visiting on these days or later in the evening (after 20:00).

  • Speak to our volunteers at the Lumiere Visitor Hub (Millennium Place) who will be able to assist.

  • We welcome feedback from disabled visitors to assess their experience and gather suggestions for improvements. We use the information to refine the accessibility plans for future exhibitions.

    Please contact [email protected] with any feedback.

TICKETS

  • You do not need a ticket to attend  Lumiere 2023.  

    Free peak-time tickets are only required to see the artworks in Durham city centre between 16:30 – 19:30.

    Free peak-time tickets are currently SOLD OUT but availability can fluctuate.

     You can enjoy Lumiere without a ticket after this time until 23:00 each night.

    You do not need a ticket to see The Spotlight on Bishop Auckland.

  • Click on the Register button on the homepage or menu dropdown. Fill in your full details, including address and postcode.  

    Remember to opt-in to the Lumiere newsletter to be informed about the event. 

    If you’ve signed up to the Lumiere newsletter before or booked tickets in the past, we already have a record of your details in our system, but you still need to register to provide key information including your full address and postcode. 

    To protect your privacy, we will email you a link to reset your password. Please check your inbox and click on the link to reset your password. Once you are signed in, click on ‘My Account’ to edit your account details.

  • If you’ve signed up to the Lumiere newsletter or booked tickets in the past, we already have a record of your details in our system, but you still need to register to provide missing some key information including your full address and postcode. 

    Please complete the registration form and we will email you a link to reset your password. Please check your inbox and click on the link to reset your password. Once you are signed in, click on ‘My Account’ to edit your account details.

  • If you register for an account in advance, you will enjoy a faster booking process and you will be notified when tickets go live. Registering does not allow you to select tickets and it does not guarantee you a peak-time ticket for the event.

    When the tickets are released, you can log in on the Lumiere website and select the tickets you would like to book.

  • If you have already registered and need to amend your details (name, address, postcode etc.) , you can login here and click on ‘Edit My Details’.

  • All tickets are digital. To download the PDF ticket(s), click on the button on the confirmation page on the Lumiere website or locate your confirmation email which was sent to the email address provided when booking.  

    You can print the PDF or show the file on a fully-charged smart phone or tablet to enter the event.

    Don’t have a computer, internet access or a smartphone or tablet? You can visit your local library to ask for assistance and book and print off your ticket on a public computer. 

  • Don’t worry if you didn’t manage to book a peak-time ticket. You don’t need a ticket to attend  Lumiere 2023. 

    Free peak-time tickets are only required to see the artworks in Durham city centre between 16:30 – 19:30. 

    You can enjoy Lumiere without a ticket after this time until 23:00 each night from 16 – 19 November 2023.  

  • If you do not have access to the internet and/ or a smartphone or digital device, please speak to our team at the Visitor Hub. There is a limited number of printed peak-time tickets for collection.

    Location: Millennium Place, Durham DH1 1WA

    Opening Times:
    11 -14 November 11:00-16:00
    15 – 19 November 11:00-23:00

  • No. Tickets will only be valid for one of two allocated time slots during peak hours, which you will be able to choose when you book. After 19:30 tickets are not required and anyone can enter and leave the Durham city centre area without a ticket.

  • A maximum of six tickets per household are available.

  • A ‘Child Ticket’ can only be used by anyone aged under 18. 

  • If your child is carried in a baby carrier/sling then they won’t need a ticket.

    All other children do. 

    Please don’t bring a pram or buggy if you can as it will be hard to get around and some access routes will be closed.

ADMISSION

  • Visitors are asked not to bring bags larger than A4 size (210 x 297cm).

    The following items are prohibited within the event site: 

    • offensive weapons
    • pyrotechnics
    • drones
    • flyers
    • illegal drugs
    • bicycles, skateboards or scooters
    • handcarts


    Right of Admission Reserved (ROAR).

  •  Yes. In order to facilitate the security, safety and comfort of all visitors, Lumiere reserves the right in its reasonable discretion to conduct security searches of visitors, clothing, bags and all other items on entry and exit and to confiscate items which may cause danger or disruption to the event.

PROGRAMME (PRINTED BROCHURE)

  • You can pre-order a printed programme via the Lumiere online shop.

    Collect from:
    Lumiere Visitor Hub
    1 Millennium Place, Durham DH1 1WA

    Opening times:
    Saturday 11 November – Tuesday 14 November: 11:00 – 16:00
    Wednesday 15 November – Sunday 19 November: 11:00 – 23:00

    Printed programmes are also available to purchase at the following locations:

    – Lumiere Visitor Hub
    – Gala Theatre Box Office
    – World Heritage Site Visitor Centre
    – Durham Cathedral shop
    – Durham Town Hall.

  • The Lumiere printed programme is available for £3. All money received goes straight back into the event.

  • Printed programmes are available to purchase for £3 in person from the following locations:

    – Lumiere Visitor Hub
    – Gala Theatre Box Office
    – World Heritage Site Visitor Centre
    – Durham Cathedral shop
    – Durham Town Hall

THE LUMIERE APP

  • You can download the refreshed Lumiere app for free from the App Store or Google Play in advance of your visit. 

    Click on the links above or search for ‘Lumiere Durham’.

    The app is a must-have companion to navigate your way around the event this year.

    We recommend enabling location services and notifications, as prompted during initial startup for the best experience. 

HOW CAN I GET THE LATEST LUMIERE NEWS?

  • Be the first to hear all the updates about Lumiere 2023 by joining the Lumiere mailing list