Durham Festival Of Light Lumiere goes dark for the final time

Durham’s festival of light, Lumiere, finished for the final time last month, with Durham Council and and London-based production company Artichoke announcing its ending after 16 years and nine festivals.

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The events brought over 100,000 people to the city, bringing in a vital £43 million to the economy since its launch, providing huge economical opportunities for businesses in the centre.

“It is a big disappointment,” Kyle Elton, from Cosy Club in Durham, said about the end of the festival. “With the lack of retail options in Durham, it is becoming harder to get people into the city.

“We saw a big uplift during Lumiere. Cancelling it takes away valuable sales opportunities from businesses. I hope it returns, but I am not holding my breath, to get rid of what was such a crowd pleaser is puzzling to me.”

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What is Lumiere?

Lumiere is the UK’s largest light festival, held biennially in Durham since 2009, inviting local and international artists to create works that change the urban surroundings of the city centre.

Its debut in 2009, saw over 75,000 visitors with projections and lights around the city all while being free to see.

Even though the festival has reached its end, it has created a lasting impact. In the last 10 years, over 14,000 local people worked on the events, providing lots of opportunities, in which schools, carers, prisoners and disabled people were able to get involved, creating pieces of art for the displays. 

Initially, the event was supposed to be a one-off. However due to its success it was repeated and has brought some memorable moments. 

“Lumiere has been a phenomenal success story for County Durham, attracting more than 1.3 million people and boosting our economy by £43 million since its launch in 2009.” Andrew Husband, Leader of Durham County Council, said.

“While 2025 was the last edition of Lumiere in its current format, it’s most definitely not the end of light art in the county.

“I have written to the North East Mayor asking for the opportunity to discuss the availability of regional resources, following the Mayor’s public commitment to providing her support.

“And I would like to reaffirm that should a sustainable funding strategy be found for Lumiere, we would be supportive of a refreshed and revitalised event continuing in the county.”

While a spokesperson for Artichoke said: “The decision that the Lumiere Durham 2025 would be the last was taken by Artichoke because it was clear that there was no longer a commitment to the level of investment needed to sustain a light art event of this scale and ambition.

“Lumiere leaves a great legacy which we hope will inspire future opportunities. It brought established UK and international artists to exhibit their work and transform Durham’s buildings, bridges, streets and waterways.”

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What now?

With the festival ending for the final time, it creates the question of what next? Lumiere was loved by many as well as providing huge tourism to the city, helping businesses in a time of economic turmoil. 

With the backlash of the cancellation of the festival, the council perhaps have realised that there needs to be something to fill the void that the Lumiere has left.

The end prevents new artists or locals, getting the opportunity or experience that the Lumiere would grant them and has done to others in the years prior. 

While also creating a black hole in the local economy, with the huge amounts of tourism for the events being taken away but with the council looking to refresh the festival, has the festival of light really been extinguished for the final time?