The nights are drawing in and summer is already a distant memory, but there are plenty of reasons to be cheerful. even in autumn. MATT CLARK looks at one of them, which begins at the end of the month.

AFTER the hiccup that marred Illuminating York 2012, namely Vic Reeves's oddball meanderings, the festival put itself back on track last year with a stunning display featuring some of York’s historical leading lights, from Eric Bloodaxe to Mallard.

Paying homage to the city's great and good seems to have found favour with the organisers. The theme this year is Leading Lights and the displays are dedicated to uncovering the rich history and future of innovation and discovery in York.

The starring role belongs to John Snow. Not Channel Four's irascible newsman, but the 19th century York's physician who discovered how cholera spread and who pioneered the use of anaesthetics.

Although born into the family of a poor labourer, Snow was apprenticed to a surgeon at the age of 14. A decade later, he moved to London and eventually became a member of the Royal College of Surgeons as well as the Royal College of Physicians.

Snow’s greatest feat came in 1854 when Soho suffered a cholera outbreak described at the time as “the most terrible which ever occurred in this kingdom”.

Scientists of the day believed that diseases came from ‘bad air’, but Snow argued against this perceived wisdom and said polluted drinking water was to blame. The Soho epidemic gave him the chance to prove it.

Water-borne ailments might seem an odd subject for a 21st century light show, but in homage to Snow's story, visual arts company Seeper is promising a 3D projection on to York Crown Court that will take audiences into the unseen world of the microscopic and the unconscious.

Artist Alex Tennyson says that the work, entitled Hidden Worlds, will be entertaining and fun.

"Hidden Worlds is a fusion of theatrical performance and visual art," says Alex. "The piece tells an important story, using atmospheric effects and fun, abstract visuals."

Illuminating York has been named by The Guardian newspaper as one of Europe’s top ten light festivals. This year's event will be the ninth and it runs from October 29 to November 1.

Hidden Worlds, the central artwork, will be projected onto the crown court at the Eye of York. Other new illuminating artworks across the city include Codex, presented by Impossible Arts at the Coppergate Centre, where a giant illuminated book lighting up the night sky will reveal stories of more York leading lights as the pages turn. Audiences will be able to ask the interactive installation a question with a tweet.

Twist Design's Wheels of Industry in King’s Square will pay homage to industrial processes of the past, with stained glass depictions of coal mines, railways and steelworks. Each window panel will be illuminated using an electricity-generating bicycle.

Viaperformance will return with Then Chocolate Shall It Be at King’s Manor, said to be a visual feast of revelry. Haydn Robinson will present Time and Space, a projection-mapping piece that blasts audiences into space on a satellite. The idea is to highlighting famous York astronomers, before landing in the present day with ongoing space exploration,

Fifteen miles east of York, coloured projections and candles will cast a new light on Castle Howard. The stately home will be filled with ‘living portraits’ sharing stories of its 300-year history.

"We are really excited to be taking part in the Illuminating York festival for the first time this year," says Katie Pryor, Castle Howard's events manager.

"This popular event always captures people’s imaginations and the use of candlelight and coloured projections will create a unique visual spectacular and a whole new experience for visitors to enjoy."

And no sign of Vic Reeves anywhere.

* Illuminating York runs from October 29 to November 1. Tickets for Hidden Worlds are £4 (£3 for under 16s). Under fives go free and under 12s must be accompanied by an adult. A £1 transaction fee applies. Tickets are available from York Theatre Royal box office on 01904 623568 or at yorktheatreroyal.co.uk. A full programme of all the artworks can be found at illuminatingyork.org.