Industry News

This October, Luxmuralis returns to Durham Cathedral, inviting visitors to step into Time, an immersive light and sound experience exploring humanity, history and imagination.

Running from Wednesday 7 October to Sunday 11 October 2026, the internationally acclaimed artistic collaboration will once again transform the Cathedral’s historic interior into a canvas of light, sound and storytelling.

Each evening, visitors will journey through a dramatic narrative that explores different eras, stepping through captivating projections and immersive soundscapes. Audiences will explore the mysteries of time itself and step inside the intricate workings of clocks, inspired by H.G. Wells’ The Time Machine.

This marks the fifth consecutive year Luxmuralis has brought its work to Durham Cathedral, following previous installations including Life, Science, Space and The Storytellers, all of which have captivated thousands of visitors.

By day, Durham Cathedral will appear as normal. By night, projections will illuminate the building’s centuries-old architecture, inviting visitors to reflect, pause and experience the Cathedral in a new and inspiring way, with an opportunity to light a candle at the end of the experience.

Andrew Usher, Chief Officer: Visitor Experience and Enterprise at Durham Cathedral, said:

“We’re delighted to welcome Luxmuralis back to Durham Cathedral once again. This event offers a wonderful opportunity to experience this sacred space in a unique way. We warmly invite visitors of all ages to come and explore. For those who may not have visited the Cathedral before, this is a special chance to step inside and see the Cathedral in a way that is both creative and thought-provoking.”

The experience lasts approximately 45 minutes, with visitors entering the Cathedral in darkness before moving through a series of immersive installations throughout the building, from the Nave to the Cloisters, accompanied by a specially designed soundscape.

Entry is by timed ticket only, and advance booking is essential. Tickets are priced at £11 for adults, £4.50 for children, with under 3s and carers admitted free.

Due to the popularity of previous years, visitors are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment.

To find out more and book tickets visit: durhamcathedral.co.uk

What is it and why?

The Artistic Collaboration known as ‘Luxmuralis’ which means Light Murals in Latin, creates large-scale, site specific installations taking art and creativity to varied spaces across the UK and Europe.

Artist Peter Walker and Composer David Harper are an Artistic collaboration called ‘Luxmuralis’. Through Son-et-Lumière installation and sound art pieces they transform and reinterpret the sense of place and space creatively helping members of the public to take a physical and emotional journey to identify with the subject and message of the artwork.

Sound and light art is projected onto architectural features transforming and enveloping the space. Visitors will walk through and view individual light and sound art installations digitally and artistically created by artistic collaboration ‘Luxmuralis’ which highlight the architectural features of the space. Viewers are immersed in the soundscapes they hear and walk through the projections that are all around them on an explorative journey through the artworks.

Sounds heard are musical pieces composed and produced by David Harper, visitors hear bespoke filmic arrangements that capture the visuals and invigorate the senses. The artwork and visual imagery is created by Artist Peter Walker who uses light as if he was painting on a canvas.