Christmas light spectacular at Lichfield Cathedral
The award-winning light and sound show for Christmas voted 'The Best Event in Staffordshire' for 3 years running is back and tickets are selling fast.
The Cathedral Illuminated is becoming part of an annual tradition for thousands of people and in 2019 the artisitic collaboration, Luxmuralis, will transform Lichfield Cathedral inside and out using stunning sound and light projections.
This year’s show is called ‘The Beginning’ and will build on the 2019 themes of ‘Journeys through Space, Light and Time’. It promises to be a stunning experience for all the whole family and the perfect start to the Christmas season.
Ticket holders will enter the Cathedral Close from Dam street and then see a spectacular Christmas son-et-lumiere displayed on the Cathedral School facade (Bishop’s Palace) before seeing a second illumination on the West Front of the Cathedral. The wonderment continues as visitors go inside the Cathedral for a special interior light and sound installation in the nave.
The experience also features an art installation called ‘In the Image and Likeness: A Constellation of Images’ by Lichfield Cathedral Artist-in-Residence, Peter Walker. The art project saw thousands of school children and community groups in the area making self-portraits to create displays in their own settings and contribute towards the central art installation in the Cathdral. Visitors will also get to see 55 trees decorated by charities and communities in the region as part of the Christmas Tree Festival.
“We are delighted to bring The Cathedral Illuminated back for the fifth year, it has become a tradition for many people both within the city and around the country as people come from far and wide to see the sound and light show with their friends and families, 2019 sees a new show which premiers on the 16th December.”
All the music is bespoke and written and produced by Luxmuralis composer David Harper.
2018 saw 20,000 people attend The Cathedral Illuminated, a few comments from last year follow:
‘I think it’s really elaborately thought out, like you look at it and you feel the Christmas mood, you feel happy and joyful, to be around with the people you love, so yeah it’s a really nice experience.’
‘it’s nice and special for Christmas time it’s great to be with all the family, it’s a lovely time I recommend it.’
‘The Cathedral Illuminated’ begins on Monday December 16 and runs nightly until Saturday 21 December starting at the family friendly earlier time of 17.30 with 15-minute time slots going through to last entry at 21:30.
Tickets are sold with entry to the Cathedral Close at the allotted ticket time. From customer feedback there will be fewer people per time slot this year. Tickets are £6 for adults or £4 for children and £16 for a family.
Purchase tickets here...
Additional information
- This is a ticket only event - there will be no access to The Close to non-ticket holders (residents will still have access).
- Children under 3 go free.
- The event is both pushchair and wheelchair friendly. The event does require movement between projections and this includes an area with a small incline. There will also be a short wait between projections with limited places to sit.
- Due to the nature of the projections the site will be dark and access around the Close is at the ticket holders own risk.
- The event includes access to the Cathedral which will have a further series of projections and access to the Christmas Tree Festival, as well as the Cathedral Gift Shop (for those last minute presents!
- A Buggy Park is available in College Hall – Buggies are parked at owners’ risk.
- Ticket holder access will be from Dam Street only.
- Please be mindful this is an outdoor event and therefore is open to the elements. Please ensure you check the weather and wear appropriate clothing.
- There will be strictly no vehicular access. This includes no drop off and no accessible bays due to the light projections on the front of the Cathedral. For more information on where to park please visit www.lichfielddc.gov.uk which includes information on accessible parking bays.
- Tickets are non-refundable and non-exchangeable.
- The Cathedral’s café, Chapter’s, will be selling hot drinks and winter warming snacks.
- Visitor toilets are available on site - there are no toilets in the Cathedral.
- Whilst entry is timed, you are free to walk through the experience at your own pace.
- The projections will be a mix of light and sound. This might involve some flashing images and the music might be considered loud.