North East Mayor Kim McGuinness is demanding answers as to why Lumiere, Durham’s flagship light festival, has been cancelled after 16 years, declaring: “People want to know who made this decision, when and why?”
The shock decision to end Lumiere, which has lit up Durham’s skies since 2009, has left residents, independent business owners and politicians “gutted” since it was announced on Thursday (October 16).
The multi-million pound festival will illuminate Durham for one last time from Thursday, November 13 to Saturday, November 15, 2025.
Durham County Council leader, Cllr Andrew Husband, said the decision to stop the festival began long before the local elections and his Reform group came to power.
But North East Mayor is now demanding answers over the decision to scrap Lumiere.
Ms McGuinness said: “Everyone I have spoken to is shocked an event which has become so much a part of Durham life, and which is so important to shop owners and small businesses in the city, should suddenly be cancelled. It is a world-class event and I love to see residents from towns and villages across Durham and beyond having a great time at the festival each year.
“Nobody saw this coming, and I share the strong feelings of local businesses, families for whom Lumiere has become a tradition and may others besides: People want to know who made this decision, when and why?"
The dazzling light show has pumped more than £43 million into the local economy since its inception.
City of Durham MP Mary Kelly Foy said she has been inundated with emails from constituents who are “dismayed” Lumiere is coming to an end.
She echoed Ms McGuinness, saying: “It's vital that we get to know not only why this decision has been taken, but what Durham County Council are planning to replace it with.
“I've already written to the local authority asking for an update on why this decision was taken, and for some more information on their plans once Lumiere turns off its lights in Durham for the final time, what will be taking its place.
“After all the time and effort that went into the brilliant City of Culture 2025 bid, the legacy of that work simply cannot be that our cultural offering goes backwards. I've invited the Culture Secretary to visit Durham to ensure she knows that I'd like Government support to keep our magnificent city firmly on the cultural map.”
Durham bid to be named City of Culture 2025 back in 2021, but missed out to Bradford when the winner was revealed in May the following year.
Lumiere is funded using cash from Durham County Council and Arts Council England. For the first time, Kim McGuinness' North East Combined Authority also provided funding in 2025.
Cllr Husband, said the decision for the 2025 edition was made jointly by the council and Artichoke and stressed it is not the end of light art in Durham.
He said: “We would like to be very clear that Lumiere 2025 is going ahead and we have also made it abundantly clear in the statements we have issued that this is not the end of light art in Durham City or County Durham – far from it – judge us by what we do in the future.
“Discussions with Artichoke regarding the future of Lumiere commenced early this year, prior to the local elections in May, driven by a desire to ensure that our events programme remains ambitious, innovative and fit for the future.
“It was a mutually agreed decision between ourselves and Artichoke that 2025 would be the final edition of the festival, with Arts Council England, as a key funder, kept fully informed.
“With the regional events strategy still in development, there has not been an opportunity to discuss potential future funding for Lumiere with the North East Mayor. I am delighted for the people of County Durham that she has suddenly decided to come forward and offer more support – and I very much look forward to exploring this with her.”
Helen Marriage, chief executive officer of producer Artichoke, said the decision to end Lumiere has “not been taken lightly”.
She added: “While this marks the end of Lumiere in Durham, its legacy will live on in the memories of those who visited, as well in the skills, confidence and ambition in everyone that has played a part in bringing it to life.
“When we first brought Lumiere to Durham in 2009, we didn’t know if it would work. Could we bring people together, outside, in November, to see a city transformed by light?
“Fifteen years on, Lumiere has become part of Durham’s story. It has sparked joy and conversation, from breathtaking projections on the Cathedral to quiet moments of light in hidden corners.
“As we return this November, Lumiere will be a love letter to Durham. A fitting farewell that reminds us of the power of public art to bring people together and imagine different futures.”
Following the announcement, Durham residents and business told The Northern Echo of their shock at the news.
Lynn Corner, 56, from Durham, has attended the light show nearly every year since its beginning in 2009.
She said: “I’ve been nearly every time it’s on. It's just fantastic. I’m very sad about it.
“It’s such a shame because I know it brings in a lot of money and people into the area, it brings in a lot of tourism. It will be missed.”
Independent businesses in the city said the event brings a boom to business.
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Julia Abbot, manager at Bells chippy in the Market Square, said: “I’m gutted to be honest because I've worked every single one of them.
"Footfall increases more than 100% when the event is on, so this is going to have a massive impact on the city and the independent businesses here.
“You don’t just see an increase on the day, but days before as well. It will be missed.”
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