The Light Before Christmas: The Manger, Light Show Coming To Liverpool Cathedral This December
After the huge success of last year’s event, Luxmuralis are returning to Liverpool Cathedral for Christmas 2023. This year, Peter Walker is returning with Light Before Christmas: The Manger, the second of The Light Before Christmas series.
The Light Before Christmas: The Manger, is an immersive experience that will take visitors on an incredible journey through the Nativity story, celebrating the true magic of Christmas. The experience runs from 1 – 8 December 2023.
The cathedral’s historic architecture will become a backdrop for the sensory experience, which will take guests on a journey that brings the nativity story to life.
The large-scale Son et Lumiere project will see lights and sound filling the majestic building, including stunning Christmas related images that will be projected onto the front elevation and the interior walls. Illuminations will guide visitors into the building to follow the story, while encouraging both young and old to look up and enjoy the architectural splendour of the building.
During that time, the Wexford Bistro within the cathedral will be open for festive food and drinks so visitors can enjoy an evening meal before or after viewing the display. The cathedral shop will also have a special stall selling related goodies.
Sue Jones, the Cathedral’s Dean said: “This event was phenomenally popular last year with every ticket being sold, so we are delighted to bring it back. We know how much people wanted to see something similar, so we asked Luxmuralis to return with an elevated festive show.
“The Light Before Christmas: The Manger will offer visitors a different way of engaging with the Nativity story that people enjoy and love. It offers the perfect opportunity for people of all ages to come together and enjoy a festive experience.”
Sculptor Peter Walker and composer David Harper make up the artistic collaboration Luxmuralis. This will be the third time that Liverpool Cathedral has worked in collaboration with projection art gallery experts Luxmuralis. As well as being the artists behind last year’s Christmas event, they also curated ‘Space, The Universe and Everything’ which was held at the Cathedral in February 2022.
Artistic Director Peter Walker said: “We are delighted to return to Liverpool and present our second Christmas installation in the stunning Cathedral. Liverpool has embraced these light shows with tens of thousands visiting previous work. It is beginning to feel like a tradition for the city to visit the Cathedral in the festive period and for family and friends to visit the Christmas illuminations as part of the start of the holidays.”
The Light Before Christmas: The Manger is part of a two-year programme of events, exhibitions and artworks leading up to Liverpool Cathedral’s 100th anniversary in 2024.
Tickets
Tickets are expected to sell fast, so make sure you secure your preferred slot for the whole family – this year promises to be our best yet.
Sessions start from 4:30 pm and last for around 40 minutes with tickets costing £9.90 for adults and £7.70 for children aged from 3 to 16. Entry for children under 3 is free when accompanied by an adult but you must book a ticket. Family tickets (2 adults and 3 children) are £28.60.
This year there will also be two sensory shows, where sound will be reduced and each show lasts just 15 minutes.
The Light Before Christmas: The Manger
1 – 8 December 2023
Liverpool Cathedral
Tickets
