Art Installation Lights Up Lancaster Castle

Lancaster Castle provided the backdrop for a signature art installation created as part of the city’s annual Festival of Light earlier this month. Each year, Light Up Lancaster transforms the entire city into a family-friendly art trail, drawing on the talent and inspiration of artists from the local area as well as nationally and overseas. In 2020 it was cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic but its return this year under the theme of ‘Flights of Imagination’ was enjoyed by more than 55,700 residents and visitors.

Designed by local artists from theatre company imitating the dog, the Castle installation provided a stunning combination of live choral music and artfully designed projection mapping onto the walls of the historic courtyard. The 15-minute show, entitled LEAP, narrated a moving tale of the critical importance of communication and love through the ages and across time and space.

In order to manage social distancing, total audience numbers were reduced by more than 50 per cent this year. However, people queuing patiently outside the Castle walls were able to enjoy another stunning light show across the iconic John O’Gaunt gate while awaiting their allocated time slots. Over the course of the Friday and Saturday nights almost 10,000 people attended the event at the Castle.

Commenting on the success of the event, Duchy Head of Communications Debbie Garritty said: “It was heart-warming to see people enjoying the festival again this year and to welcome them into Lancaster Castle. The city puts its heart and soul into this event every year and this year was no exception. We were delighted to be able to support them and to play our part in making this spectacular festival a weekend to remember.”

Light Up Lancaster has become one of the most popular and best-loved diary dates for the people of Lancaster and those who make a special trip to the city to enjoy the event. Organised by the City Council, Lancaster BID and The Dukes Theatre, the annual festival is funded by the Arts Council and supported by partners including Preston Mela, the Duchy of Lancaster, Lancaster University, Historic England, Lancaster University Confucius Institute, Arnside & Silverdale AONB and the Areti Charitable Trust.