More than 5,000 people visited Durham’s newest cultural venue in its opening week.
The Light, which opened last month at Aykley Heads, attracted crowds of all ages with its launch programme and exhibitions, and has now unveiled a packed autumn and winter schedule of events.
Councillor Karen Allison, Durham County Council’s cabinet member for leisure, tourism, regeneration, and high street, said: "The autumn/winter programme reflects our ambition to create opportunities for people of all ages to connect with culture in meaningful ways.
"We want The Light to become a part of people’s everyday lives – whether that be as a place to view amazing exhibitions and explore new creative pursuits or as somewhere to catch up with friends.
"We’re delighted the venue has already welcomed thousands of visitors.
"County Durham’s visitor economy is worth more than £1.5 billion a year and The Light is helping to boost this further, while raising our profile as a vibrant county to live, work, visit and invest."
The Light’s latest programme is inspired by its debut exhibitions – We Are The Durhams: The Durham Light Infantry Exhibition and Victory Over the Sun: Encounters with Light – and promises an inclusive mix of talks, performances, and creative activities.
Thursday evenings are set to become a highlight, with regular events including The Salon, a creative social for artists and other creatives launching on October 1.
Other Thursday events include Making History, a series of talks and screenings inspired by Durham’s military heritage, starting September 10, and I Don’t Want to Grow Up, adult-focused creative workshops launching September 17.
The Light Lounge, featuring live music and cocktails, will run on the third and fourth Thursdays of each month beginning September 17.
Tomorrow’s Library, a thought-provoking book club exploring the ideas, inventions and creative works that have shaped the way people understand the future, begins October 22.
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The venue’s After Dark programme will offer a mix of exhibitions, live performances, music, food, and installations on the first Friday night of the month.
Families are also well-catered for with October half-term workshops, Sensory Saturdays, and artist-led sessions designed for younger children.
Located in Aykley Heads, The Light is quickly establishing itself as a destination for creativity and connection, offering something for visitors of all ages.
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