A BRIEF history of the Universe projected onto Durham Cathedral, a huge whale in the River Wear and an LED dome over Durham Market Place: Lumiere is back for 2015.

What has become the UK’s biggest light festival will be held in Durham, where it all began in 2009, for a fourth time over four nights from November 12 to 15 – and this week festival commissioners Durham County Council and producers Artichoke revealed some of what visitors can expect.

The World Machine, by Crown of Light creator Ross Ashton and world-renowned Durham University Professor Carlos Frenk, will see stunning images telling the history of cosmology projected onto the front of Durham Cathedral.

Catherine Garret, who created Lumiere 2013’s Elephantastic returns with Mysticete, a “colossal 3D whale” emerging from the River Wear; veteran Japanese artist Fujiko Nakaya will recreate the fabled St Cuthbert’s mist, said to have saved Durham Cathedral from wartime bombing; and 1.26 Durham, by American Janet Echelman, will comprise a huge, illuminated floating net.

Elsewhere, a 75,000-LED dome will be constructed over the Market Place, a projection will cause 250 people to ‘climb’ the city’s viaduct and there will be various interactive pieces too, among a total of 26 installations.

Helen Marriage, Lumiere’s artistic director, said: “It is wonderful to be bringing Lumiere back to Durham for a fourth time.

“Lumiere is about transformation. It explores the possibilities of light as art, and how art can be used to change how people think about the city.

“Durham is where Lumiere began and it will always feel like home.”

The festival will cost £1.8m, with £1.1m coming from the council and Arts Council England and the rest from sponsors and other supporters.

Council leader Simon Henig said: “I’m really proud that Durham is the birth place of Lumiere, a truly world class event coming back for the fourth time.

“Not only is it spectacular but it provides a really welcome economic boost for a wide range of businesses from contractors and suppliers to shops, restaurants, hotels and cafes. We look forward to welcoming the tens of thousands of people we know will come and to making this the best Lumiere yet.”

Lumiere 2013 attracted 175,000 visitors and the three festivals together are said to have boosted the economy by more than £11m.

Further details of ticketing and crowd control arrangements will be announced in October.

People interested in being one of the 200 volunteer festival-makers can attend an information event at Durham Town Hall tomorrow (Wednesday, September 16) from 6pm to 7.30pm.