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Lisa Cartwright

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Save the date! Lumiere Durham returns in 2025

Lumiere artwork projected onto Durham Cathedral

Tuesday 28 January 2025. Artichoke has announced dates for Lumiere Durham 2025, the UK’s light art biennial. The hugely popular event will take place over three evenings this autumn, from Thursday 13 to Saturday 15 November 2025.

Produced and curated by Artichoke and commissioned by Durham County Council, Lumiere has attracted over 1.3 million visitors and boosted the local economy by more than £43 million since it began in 2009. Today it stands as a landmark event in the cultural calendar of the North East, and has put city and county on the international light art map.

For Lumiere’s 9th edition, a brand new programme promises to feed the imagination with magic and joy, transforming the city into an illuminated art gallery with spectacular artworks and exclusive commissions by UK and internationally renowned artists. This year, Lumiere 2025 will continue to enchant visitors and locals in a revised format, taking place over three evenings, from Thursday to Saturday, 13-15 November.

Beyond the lights, Lumiere’s established Learning & Participation programme and volunteering opportunities have benefitted over 14,000 local people and schoolchildren since 2009, inspiring ongoing artistic ideas and providing learning resources across the county. Lumiere 2025 offers new opportunities for the local community to take part in and develop skills, showcasing County Durham’s creativity on a national stage.   

Inviting local businesses and individuals to make a difference

This year, with rising costs and funding challenges, the support of local businesses and individuals is more vital than ever.

Lumiere has always been a shared achievement—its success built on the commitment of visionary businesses. With arts funding under pressure, now is the time to invest in one of the North East’s most cherished cultural events. By partnering with Lumiere, businesses will gain multiple benefits that sponsorship of a world-class event can bring, as well as leave a legacy of opportunity, joy and inspiration for County Durham and beyond.

Artichoke is thrilled to welcome new major partners, Prima Cheese and Northern Powergrid, alongside longstanding supporters such as Durham University, EMG Solicitors, MGL Construction, Radisson Blu Durham, New College Durham, and Ramside Hall Hotel and Spa to help bring this landmark event to life in 2025.

For the third consecutive year, Point North (formerly County Durham Community Foundation), will amplify Lumiere’s impact through Northern Lights, their match fund, increasing selected sponsorships and contributions by up to 50%. It’s an incredible way for businesses to multiply their investment and directly support local communities to fight poverty and enrich lives across the North East.

There’s still time to play an exciting part in the Lumiere journey. Get in touch with Artichoke’s Development Director, Ma’ayan Plane (Ma’ayan.Plane@artichoke.uk.com), to help Lumiere shine even brighter in 2025.

Artistic Director of Artichoke, Helen Marriage says: “We’re so excited to be returning to Durham to programme the next edition of Lumiere, the landmark cultural event in the North East. As well as providing a unique platform for some of the world’s greatest artists, and giving everyone the chance to see great art, Lumiere has been consistent over the years in bringing tangible benefits to the local community, building the local economy and training local kids. It is made is possible only because of the amazing partnerships forged over the years with Durham County Council, Arts Council England and Durham’s local institutions and businesses who all invest in the event to bring wider benefits to the community.”

Cllr Amanda Hopgood, Leader of Durham County Council and portfolio holder for Culture, Creative, Tourism and Sport at the North East Combined Authority says, “Lumiere is a shining example of the transformative power of culture on our communities, our businesses and our wider economy. It has played a crucial role in establishing Durham as the Culture County, inspiring similar events across the world and continuing our long-standing tradition of innovation and investment in the arts. From the thousands of residents who have taken part in outreach activities, to the businesses that have benefited from the increased footfall, to the 1.3 million people who have been blown away by the spectacular light installations – the positive impact of Lumiere cannot be overstated.

“We’re delighted to commission Artichoke and to work with partners including Arts Council England and generous sponsors to bring Lumiere to County Durham once again in 2025.”

Lumiere Durham is a central pillar of The Culture County, the long-term creative regeneration strategy born out of the Durham 2025 UK City of Culture campaign.

To be the first to know what’s happening and learn about the 2025 programme, sign up to the newsletter at the event website, Lumiere-festival.com.

Sustainable Lumiere

Artichoke is committed to addressing climate injustice and reducing the environmental impacts of all the work it produces. Lumiere artists pledge to support this work through the design of artworks, making responsible use of materials and ensuring works produced contribute to the circular economy through future touring. Key technical suppliers are chosen based on their sustainability commitments and work together with Artichoke to challenge established practice and plan the operational aspects of Lumiere as sustainably as possible. Continuing our work with industry experts, A Greener Future, Lumiere Durham 2025 will undertake a carbon impact assessment of the event to examine the success of the planning and to enable future editions of the light art biennial to further reduce emissions. 

Local businesses and other partners already supporting include long-time Lumiere supporters as well as exciting, new first-time partnerships.

Lumiere 2025 supporters

Commissioning partners

  • Arts Council England
  • Durham County Council

Major partners

  • Durham University
  • Point North

Event partners

  • Radisson Blu Hotel, Durham
  • Ramside Hall Hotel

Major supporters

  • EMG Solicitors
  • Northern Powergrid
  • Prima Cheese
  • MGL Group

Event supporters

  • New College Durham
  • Sir James Knott Trust
  • National Trust

Supporters

  • Darlington Building Society 5% Pledge Fund
  • Savoy Educational Trust
  • Hadrian Trust

Silver Business Club Members

  • Hargreaves Services
  • Delta Hotels by Marriott Durham Royal County
  • Lumley Castle

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Ramside Hall Hotel to create multi million pound golf facility

A simulation of the new golf facilities at Ramside Hall Hotel

A County Durham hotel is investing more than £6m in creating what will be one of the UK’s top golf facilities.

Ramside Hall Hotel, Golf and Spa already has two championship courses, which brings players from across the region and nationally.

And now the hotel is building a multi-million-pound golf academy, leisure and entertainment hub.

The ambitious development will include a 43 bay TopTracer driving range, a six-lane indoor bowling alley, sports bar with interactive electronic games such as darts and shuffleboards, pool tables and large screens which will show major sports events.

A new academy – which it is hoped will attract more golf professionals – will include new short game practice and coaching areas, a new retail outlet and a 120 seater function room.

The phased opening of the development will take place between March and August.

Hotel owner, John Adamson, believes the development is a great asset not just for Ramside but for County Durham.

“These new facilities will have something for everyone, just for golfers,” he said.

“The bowling alley and the sports bar with the electronic games will hopefully attract people who just want to enjoy some fun activities but don’t necessarily want to play golf.

“At the same time, the Golf Academy will mean that anyone who is interested in learning the game – or who wants to improve their existing game – can also make use of the state-of-the-art facilities.”

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Kynren announces its new time travelling theme park

An illustration of the new theme park at Kynren

The creators of Kynren – An Epic Tale of England have unveiled their most ambitious and exciting project to date: a brand-new historical theme park, Kynren – The Storied Lands.

Set to open in summer 2026, subject to final planning approval, The Storied Lands will be a spectacular daytime attraction within the wider Kynren park in Bishop Auckland. This new experience will transport visitors through history, myth, and legend, bringing the past to life through breathtaking live-action performances.

Phase one of the park will feature five monumental shows and immersive experiences set against beautifully landscaped historical backdrops.

Anna Warnecke, CEO at Kynren, says, “This is a game-changer for us and for the UK visitor experience market. For the past decade, we have poured passion and expertise into delivering Kynren – An Epic Tale of England, and now we are bringing that same level of scale, innovation, and magic into this new daytime attraction. You won’t just witness history – you’ll live it, feel it, and be moved by it.”

Unlike traditional theme parks that focus on rides, Kynren – The Storied Lands invites exploration and connection with the past, delivering multiple live action shows featuring heart pounding moments of action, thrilling stunts, incredible performances, immersive storytelling, epic music and innovative technology as it takes visitors on an emotional journey through time.

As visitors step into the park, they will be transported back to Neolithic Britain and the era of the first settlers. Moving deeper into the experience, they will encounter an all-new Viking show, where warriors clash, sparks fly, and fires rage in an interactive multi-sensory spectacle of Norse life. 

In The Legend of the Wear, a giant lake becomes the stage for thrilling water stunts and a captivating retelling of the Lambton Worm myth. The audience will be left in awe as the monstrous, cursed creature emerges from the waters in an unforgettable spectacle.

Another highlight is The Lost Feather, a captivating and visually stunning experience centred around the relationship between birds and humanity. Set on a stage inspired by a bird’s nest, this show will explore the beauty, power, and fragility of bird species from around the world, highlighting their struggles and triumphs in a rapidly changing environment. 

Then step into the gaslit streets of Victorian England and find yourself swept up in the sights, sounds, and stories of the era, where everyday life is filled with drama, discovery, and larger-than-life characters.

The adventure builds to the park’s biggest show – Fina, an epic spectacle where medieval knights clash on horseback, and a fearless female warrior’s courage and skill are put to the test in a breathtaking display of horsemanship and daring stunts.

Performers will bring unforgettable historical scenes to life on enormous sets, enhanced by stunning special effects, with Auckland Palace providing a striking historical backdrop.

Majestic horses, free flying birds, and other animals are seamlessly woven into the performances, adding depth, visual richness and authenticity to each show. Their involvement celebrates the connection between history, mythology, and the natural world.

Alongside this, Kynren – An Epic Tale of England will continue on Saturday nights with its 1,000-strong cast and crew of volunteers. Kynren is already an integral landmark attraction in the North East and draws both local audiences and visitors from across the UK.

Councillor Amanda Hopgood welcomes the development and said: “It is nine years since 11Arches amazed us with Kynren, which receives the 5 star TripAdvisor Travellers Choice Award year after year. Durham County Council is a proud partner in the remarkable development of Bishop Auckland, and we’re delighted with the development of this new day park adventure:  Kynren – The Storied Lands. As Durham County establishes itself as one of the great UK visitor destinations, this extravaganza will sit at the heart of the County’s offering”.

With millions of pounds being invested into the project, Kynren – The Storied Lands will play a key role in regenerative tourism, creating hundreds of local jobs and offering career growth opportunities, apprenticeships, and flexible employment – all designed to boost the local economy and community.

Jonathan Ruffer, founder of 11Arches, the charity which is focused on education, conservation, and community development and which operates Kynren, said: “When the first quivering shovel went into the land at Flatts Farm, ten years ago, onlookers were united that the grand plan for a night show, which might or might not be called, Kynren, was completely bonkers. 

“A decade on, Kynren is one of the wonders of the North East, and there is no talk of the odds being against its survival – all are agreed that its success was effectively guaranteed, given the soundness of the business plan.  

“As we prepare for the opening of Kynren, The Storied Lands, there is excitement a-plenty. What a difference those ten years have made! Kynren’s success has not only made the day park possible, but it has provided a springboard for its opening next year. No quivering shovels, just a settled determination to bring a gift of outstanding preciousness to Bishop Auckland.”

This ambitious new park builds on the expertise gained from delivering the spectacular Kynren night show. The team is poised to create an extraordinary, world-class attraction that transport visitors through time like never before.

Future phases of development will introduce even more attractions, including The Lone Centurion, Tales of the Tudors, Conquest of the Seas, and legendary stories such as Excalibur and Robin Hood, ensuring that each visit offers something fresh and exciting.