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Lumiere 2025
The Ogden Centre at night illuminated by red and pink art

Durham University at Lumiere 2025

Three installations will be hosted by the University at Lumiere 2025, with unique light art at Palace Green, the Waterside Building and South Bailey.

Elysium Garden at Palace Green

Elysium Garden will see giant illuminated flowers bloom across Palace Green, inspired by mythical gardens of paradise.
An installation of giant illuminated flowers lit up at nighttime as visitors walk through them.

Sign at the Waterside Building

Sign will showcase an illusion of flames and sparks rising into the night, reflecting on the power of fire as destruction and renewal.
An artwork made up of long bamboo poles lit up red to give the impression of fire and energy, set in an open space at night-time.

The Garden of Shadows at South Bailey

The Garden of Shadows will take the audience on a magical journey of eight installations on South Bailey, that blend sound and shadow.
View the full Lumiere 2025 programme
An installation of giant illuminated flowers lit up at nighttime as visitors walk through them.

Lumiere 2025 Programme

This year's Lumiere programme features 28 installations across the city for visitors to enjoy, bringing together world-renowned artists, UK debuts and community-created projects highlighting the creativity of County Durham.

Explore the full programme

Our 2023 Installations

Discover our spectacular light installations from Lumiere 2023.

Universal Loom at the Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics

Universal Loom was a textile-like animated projection inspired by string theory, interpreting the woven nature of space and time.
The Ogden Centre illuminated with green and pink artwork

Sacral at St Mary’s College

Sacral was an ethereal sculpture, a ghostly surreal reconstruction of a cathedral transept, tracing the outline of Durham Cathedral.
A white illumination of a cathedral crypt

Liquid Geometry at Palace Green

Liquid Geometry created an immersive series of three-dimensional projections where visitors could walk amongst and underneath the mind-bending shapes.
Durham cathedral illuminated in black and white geometrical shapes
Discover student life at Lumiere

Things To Do during Lumiere

Durham University is home to internationally important collections from across history and around the globe. We welcome visitors to our museums and galleries and garden. Located in two clusters, at the heart of the UNESCO World Heritage Site and to the south of the city, our venues are open year-round and are open to all.

Durham Castle Courtyard
Durham Castle
A family exploring the glasshouse at the Botanic Garden.
Botanic Garden
Aerial view of Oriental Museum
Oriental Museum
Museum of Archaeology
Palace Green Library Exterior
Historic Libraries
Aerial View of Palace Green, Durham Castle, and Durham Cathedral
World Heritage Site Visitor Centre
Know Thyself - Finola Finn, 2017, Lumiere Installation
Art

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