It's here: the annual festival of light, colour and sound that is Illuminating York.

From tonight until Saturday night, you'll be able to wander through a forest of light 'trees' in the quad at York St John University; stroll down Shambles while arcs of light revolve above your head; or meet a skipping figure sculpted out of light in King's Square.

York Minster gets in on the act, too. In the only paid-for main event in this year's festival, the interior of the great cathedral has been 'carved up' by beams of light projected through a sea of floating mist.

There are seven main exhibits this year: plus, as usual, a host of fringe events being held at venues across the city.

“This year’s Illuminating York has been developed to take visitors on an exploration of the city after dark, with key venues hosting our newly commissioned artworks, three architectural lighting schemes around the city in partnership with the Society of Light and Lighting, and illuminated bunnies in 50 shop and business windows throughout the city centre in our own trail,” says Hazel Colquhoun, one of Illuminating York’s curators.

“We’re being joined in the ‘fringe events’ this year by other venues opening late on specific nights with illumination-themed events and activities, from

Fairfax House and The Bar Convent Living Heritage Centre to night time opening of the City Walls so that people can return for two or more nights for a different Illuminating York experience.”

Highlights of this year's event include:

York Minster – ‘Light Masonry’ by the Jason Bruges Studio

Using only white light and mist suspended in the air, visitors will experience spectacular choreographed spaces carved out of light. This is the only paid-for even, with standard admission prices of £8 for adults and £3.50 for children. Tickets are available from York Theatre Royal box office. 

York St John University – ‘Lumen’ by David Ogle
A new venue for illuminating York, the historic quad at York St John’s Lord Mayor’s Walk campus will be occupied by a forest of light. Visitors can walk amongst skeletal coloured luminescent trees, to experience the unusual light and shade cast by their glowing branches. Free

National Railway Museum (NRM) – ‘Travelling Light’ by Heinrich and Palmer
The Workshop at NRM, where engines are maintained and restored, is transformed through light projection, light drawings, film and sound. Free

Holy Trinity Church, Goodramgate – ‘re Connecting re Creation’ by Helen Maurer
Secrets in the stained glass inspire the displays inside this historic building as artist Helen Maurer creates a compelling installation using light, glass and mirrors to project shape and colour onto the walls and ceiling. Free.

Shambles – ‘Orbit’ by Studio PSK
Arcs of light will revolve above the heads of the visitors walking along one of Britain’s most picturesque streets. Free.

King’s Square – ‘Loopy Lou’ by Rémi Brun
In daylight, Brun’s 'Loopy Loo' sculpture looks like an abstract wire construction, but after dark, the LED lights that dance around create a depiction of a skipping girl, based on the artist’s daughter playing. Free.

Clifford’s Tower & Royal York Hotel – Lumenpulse
Architectural lighting of two of York’s iconic buildings.

  • Illuminating York runs every evening until Saturday. For interviews with the artists who have created this year's festival, don't miss today's What's On magazine in The Press

Get the app
Visitors to this year’s illuminating York are being encouraged to make their own luminescent artworks, with a specially commissioned free mobile phone app that enables you to add colour to your evening visit.

Created by York-based New Moon Games, the app enables users to add neon-light style effects to photographs of York’s city streets during the festival to create an online gallery of designs.

For more details, or to download the app, please visit www.illuminatingyork.org.uk