Top Tips for visiting Lumiere

Plan your visit

This year the Lumiere programme will extend beyond Durham City to Bishop Auckland, as part of a biennial spotlight on wider County Durham. Plan your visit for details of all the installations and where to find them, as well as suggestions for wonderful restaurants, cafes and pubs around Durham City and County.

You can also view the Lumiere Festival artwork programme.

To make the most of your visit to Lumiere, stay a little longer and find out what else there is to see and do at Visit County Durham: Lumiere.

Use park and ride or public transport

The best way to visit the festival is by using one of our many Lumiere Park and Ride facilities. Park and rides will operate from Belmont, Sniperley, Howlands, New College and Meadowfield with a return ticket just  £2 per person with disabled pass holders and children under 16,  accompanied by an adult over 21 years old, travelling for free. The last bus leaves at 11.30pm. Extra bus services will also be running and the train station is just a short walk from the city centre.

Do not panic if you do not have a ticket

The festival is completely free to attend and 27 of the 42 installations are accessible without a ticket at all times.

In a change from previous years, the controlled City centre area of Lumiere will be ticketed between 4.30pm to 7.30pm only. You must enter within your allocated time slot. Peak-time ticket time slots are 4.30pm and 6.00pm. There is no time limit once inside the controlled zone. This is to manage audience numbers as part of measures in place to offer a Covid-19 secure experience.

Remember there are four installations that will be part of the Spotlight on Bishop Auckland in County Durham, open from 5.00pm to 10.00pm. No ticket is required.

Visit quieter areas

Twenty seven of the 42 installations are outside the ticketed area in Durham, so avoid the longest queues by visiting some of the other dazzling installations around the festival footprint.

Security checks

For your safety and security, bag checks and random body searches will be in operation at entry points into the central peninsula area each night. To minimise queuing times, please think carefully about what you bring with you and leave large bags and rucksacks at home.

Come prepared

It's November, it's outdoors and it's dark so wrap up warm, wear comfortable, sturdy shoes and bring a waterproof. We also recommend a small torch and don't forget to bring your camera.

Get a taste of the festival

Durham has a great selection of cafés, restaurants and bars to choose from. Visit Visit County Durham: Lumiere to find out more.

Follow us on social media

@artichoketrust on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram. Get the latest updates at #LumiereDurham. 

For the latest traffic and travel information follow @DurhamCouncil on Twitter.

Ask a Lumiere Volunteer

Our Lumiere volunteers are there to help you enjoy your visit. If you need help or have a question, you can identify them by their magenta pink tabards.

Share your experience

Share your photos on social media with the hashtag #LumiereDurham. Visit Lumiere Festival to find out more.

For live updates follow the hashtag #LumiereDurham

Lumiere Frequently Asked Questions

See Lumiere Festival: frequently asked questions for more information about the festival.