Northern Lights

About

Northern Lights 

See York Minster in a different light this autumn as the awe-inspiring Northern Lights returns by popular demand.

The sound and light installation, which debuted to sell-out audiences in June 2018, will again transform the cathedral’s cavernous Nave with images and audio inspired by the medieval Minster’s stained glass and stone.

Visitors will have the chance to explore the empty Nave after dark before the installation illuminates the space, spanning the full length of the ceiling and West End and surrounding the listener with soundscapes and music.

Designed by renowned projectionist Ross Ashton and sound artist Karen Monid, and featuring recordings from the York Minster Choir, the events have been organised to raise funds to protect the cathedral’s medieval stained glass.

Funds from the events will support the Minster’s 20-year campaign to ensure all its 128 windows, which hold the largest collection of medieval stained glass in the country, have external glazing to protect them from the elements. Learn more about the project here.

Event details and prices:

There will be two showings of the installation each evening at 7pm and 9pm, except on Sunday 27th of October when the times will be 6pm and 8pm. These showings also have a reduced capacity and we would recommend them to people who wish to come to a more accessible event.

Doors open 45 minutes beforehand (6.15pm for a 7pm start, 8.15pm for a 9pm start) allowing visitors to explore the empty Nave before the projection is shown at 7pm or 9pm. The experience will last approximately 30 minutes, during which time the projection will be shown twice.