In November, Durham Town Centre was once again illuminated with one of the most anticipated events of the year! Let’s take a look back and see what made this year’s celebration so special. The final Lumiere Festival and the extraordinary light installation that illuminated the dome of Hotel Indigo Durham. With great disappointment, the 2025 festival marked the end of an era for the UK’s largest light art event, and being part of its final chapter is something we will treasure for years to come.
For more than 16 years, Lumiere transformed Durham into a glowing labyrinth of creativity and imagination every two years. Visitors would travel from all over the country to wander the cobbled streets at night, discovering installations hidden in courtyards, balanced across rooftops, or boldly lighting up the city’s most iconic buildings.
In 2025, the festival once again filled Durham with colour, curiosity, and wonder, but with the added sadness of this being its final edition. For guests staying with us at Hotel Indigo Durham, the experience was especially meaningful, as one of the festival’s most charming installations perched directly above their heads.
A New Light Above Durham: Ralf Westerhof’s Take Flight!
At the heart of our Lumiere experience this year was Take Flight! a mesmerising neon sculpture created by Dutch artist Ralf Westerhof. Installed on the dome of Hotel Indigo Durham, the artwork appeared as a glowing, three-dimensional bird drawn in light. Simple, elegant, and instantly captivating. Its poignant placement front and centre of our historic building allowed visitors to see the fixture from several points across the city. Offering a beacon-like presence that felt both uplifting and celebrated the spirit of the festival.
Westerhof described the neon bird as a symbol of “the freedom of letting go and the courage it takes to begin again.” These words struck a powerful chord, not just with those who visited the festival, but with anyone who recognised the deeper symbolism behind Lumiere’s final year. As the festival closed its doors one last time, Take Flight! encouraged visitors to think about how endings often make space for new beginnings.
Why Lumiere 2025 Will Be Remembered
The final edition of Lumiere was a particularly emotional one for the city. Since 2009, the festival has brought more than a million visitors to Durham, each drawn by the magic of seeing familiar streets transformed by light and imagination. Its installations often celebrated Durham’s history and architecture but also introduced playful and unexpected moments.
From illuminated waterfalls to kinetic sculptures and interactive projections. This year, the atmosphere was filled with both celebration and reflection, as locals and visitors alike acknowledged how much the festival had contributed to the cultural identity of Durham.
For Hotel Indigo Durham, hosting a commissioned artwork felt like a meaningful way to be part of that history. Our building, with its grand dome and impressive architectural presence, became more than a backdrop; it became a canvas. Watching festival-goers gather outside to look up at the neon bird reinforced just how deeply Lumiere connected people to the city, to art, and to one another.
Carrying Lumiere’s Legacy Forward
Although Lumiere has come to an end, its influence will continue to shape Durham’s cultural landscape. The festival encouraged curiosity, creativity and a sense of community, qualities that remain at the heart of what makes Durham such a special place to visit. At Hotel Indigo Durham, we hope to continue supporting the city’s vibrant arts scene by partnering with local events, celebrating Durham’s heritage, and offering guests a stay that blends comfort with culture.
Our hotel is ideally located for anyone looking to explore the city, whether you’re visiting for a weekend break, a special occasion, or simply to enjoy Durham’s historic charm. From the Cathedral and Castle to the independent shops and riverside walks, everything the city has to offer is just a short stroll away and while Lumiere may have ended, the sense of wonder it inspired lives on.
