An opening date has been announced for Durham City’s latest cultural attraction, heralding the start of an exciting new chapter for art, history and innovation in the North East.
Durham County Council has confirmed The Light will open its doors on Saturday 22 August, with visitors invited to experience a spectacular exhibition of international light art.
Victory Over the Sun: Encounters with Light will launch the venue’s ambitious cultural programme, featuring groundbreaking works by artists who use light in extraordinary ways – Tracey Emin, Dan Flavin, Olafur Eliasson, and Chila Burman to name just a few.
Tickets are now on sale for the exhibition, which will span three galleries in the newly transformed building, once home to the Durham Light Infantry (DLI) Museum and Durham Art Gallery in Aykley Heads.
Inspired by one of the 19th century scientists who first created artificial light, Victory Over the Sun will immerse audiences in a range of sensory effects, increasing their understanding of how we see and experience light, and showcasing the links between light, science and nature. The North East’s own part in this story will also be celebrated, with a replica of the first British lightbulb, invented by the Sunderland-born physicist Joseph Swan, included within the show.
Visitors to The Light will also have the chance to discover more about the DLI at a fascinating new permanent exhibition. Featuring images, sounds, hands-on activities and rich sensory experiences, We Are The Durhams builds upon the venue’s military heritage to tell a deeply human story of identity, belonging and community.
In addition to the cultural offer, The Light will include dedicated areas for educational and community activities, a café with an outdoor terrace overlooking beautiful grounds and flexible spaces for meetings and events.
Cllr Karen Allison, Durham County Council’s Cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration and high street, said: “We are incredibly excited to welcome people to our new cultural venue The Light this August.
“By remodelling and extending the existing 1960s building, we have created a modern and spacious venue capable of hosting world-class contemporary exhibitions. A dedicated DLI gallery, meanwhile, will bring stories from the Regiment to life in ways that have never been possible before.
“The building has always been both a museum and an art gallery and this tradition will continue at The Light. Through exhibitions such as Victory Over The Sun, we will celebrate County Durham’s heritage and innovative spirit through spectacular works of art, while providing opportunities for artists to collaborate and for our residents to enjoy a fun and inspiring day out.
“The Light is also simply a wonderful and relaxing place to spend time, whether that be viewing the amazing artworks, meeting friends for lunch in the café or enjoying a stroll around the grounds. I would encourage everyone to come along and experience what’s on offer.”
To celebrate the opening of the new venue, The Light will come alive this summer with an action-packed opening weekend launching a season of activity designed to inspire visitors of all ages to come together and get creative.
The programme will continue for the remainder of the school holidays, with the venue opening seven days a week and offering a mix of indoor and outdoor activities for children and families. Inspired by the theme of “light” – a refence to both the DLI and the extraordinary works featured in Victory Over the Sun – visitors can expect spectacle, hands-on creativity and inspiring ideas. Further details of the opening programme will be announced in July.
Situated at the heart of Aykley Heads, The Light will be an anchor institution of the emerging Durham Innovation District. Acting as a meeting place and creative hub it will support the game-changing ambitions of the new district and play a key part in the sustainable growth of the site.
“In County Durham we have a long-standing commitment to culture-based regeneration,” Cllr Allison continued. “We recognise the transformational impact it has on our communities and our economy, and this is reflected in the prominent role The Light will play in the Durham Innovation District.
“Culture and tourism are major contributors to County Durham’s economy, bringing in more than £1 billion a year. The Light will support this by drawing in more visitors and making us a more attractive place to live, work and invest.”
Victory Over the Sun will run until Sunday 17 January 2027. Tickets are now available to book online at www.thelightdurham.org.uk priced at £10 for adults and £2.50 for children under 18 for a two-hour timed entry slot. An exhibition season pass is available priced at £25. Tickets will also be available to buy on the door when the venue opens priced at £12.50 for adults and £2.50 for children.
Other featured artists include Maarten Baas, Yto Barrada, Tina Bech, James Clar, Shezad Dawood, Spencer Finch, Ceal Floyer, Felix Gonzalez-Torres, Katrin Hanusch, Rafael Lozano-Hemmer, Jenny Holzer, Hilary Jack, Glenn Ligon, Erin McDougle, Steve McQueen, Tatsuo Miyajima, Ivan Navarro, Katie Paterson, David Shrigley, Liz West and Cerith Wyn Evans.
Victory Over the Sun has been curated by Natasha Howes, senior curator at Haigh Hall, former principal curator at Light Night Leeds and former senior curator at Manchester Art Gallery.
Entry to The Light and We Are The Durhams is free.
In August, The Light will be open every day, from 10am to 5pm on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday; from 10am to 8pm on Thursday; and from 10am to 4pm on Sunday. The café will be open from 10am to 4pm.
From September, the venue will be closed on Monday and Tuesdays, with other opening hours remaining the same.
To find out more, visit www.thelightdurham.org.uk and follow @thelightdurham on Facebook and Instagram.
