Durham Lumiere Festival celebrates 10 years, here's your guide

  • Durham Lumiere Festival runs from 14-17 November

Tonight is the night. Durham will light up once again as the UK's largest light festival returns to the city.

Thousands of visitors are expected to turn out to catch a glimpse of the Lumiere installations. It's 10 years since the first event, which boosted the economy by millions of pounds.

What should you expect this year? A mixture of old and new. The city will be illuminated by 37 installations, some of the most popular artworks from previous festivals will return, including a 3D whale projected onto the River Wear and a snowglobe in the Market Place.

CLOUD, Caitlind r.c Brown & Wayne Garrett, Lumiere Durham 2015 Credit: Matthew Andrews

Do I need a ticket?

The festival is open each night between 4.30 pm – 11 pm, but a free peak-time ticketing system is in place to access the central peninsula area of the city.

When are the peak times?

Every evening between 4.30 pm – 7.30 pm.

You only need a ticket if you are visiting the central peninsula area of the city during those peak-times.

What is the central peninsula?

That includes Market Place, Prince Bishops Shopping Centre, Durham Castle, Saddler Street, Durham Cathedral and The Count’s House. The central peninsula is only accessible via Framwellgate Bridge, Silver Street/ Claypath and Elvet Bridge.

Find out more about the ticket system here.

Will I be affected by road, parking or footpath closures?

The council have published a detailed list of road and footpath closures, which you can find here.

However, Sutton Street in the Viaduct area of the city will be restricted to resident-only access.

  • Information for travelling to the Lumiere

Trains and taxis

There will be regular trains to and from Durham. View live departures and arrivals here.

You'll be able to get a taxi from Sutton Street, Milburngate or Old Elvet.

Buses

Some stops and routes in the city centre will change as a result of road closures - make sure you check the timetables before travelling.

Park and Ride

Durham City Council recommends the best travel option by car is to head to one of the Park and Ride sites. The council is operating an enhanced service throughout the festival which includes three extra sites, extended opening times and frequent buses to and from the city.

It costs £2.00 per person return, but concessionary pass holders and children under 16 travel for free.

The last park and ride buses will leave the city centre at 11.30 pm each night.

The car parks will remain open for people who want to stay in town later and get a taxi back.

Click here for a full list of Park and Ride locations and drop off / pick up points.

Disabled access

If you, or a member of your party has a disability, find out what options are available for getting to Lumiere.

All buses have accessible facilities and at Belmont, Sniperley and Howlands have accessible toilet facilities. Disabled bus pass holders travel for free.

Visit the council's website for more information on Park and Ride Credit: Durham County Council

Check out the highlights from a previous Lumiere spectacular: