The National Coal Mining Museum is kicking off the festive season with its popular Light Up Festival, a free three-day celebration returning from Friday, 22nd November through Sunday, 24th November. This dazzling event promises enchanting light displays, art installations, performances, and festive fun for visitors of all ages.
This year’s festival highlights a mix of immersive art and festive cheer, beginning with stunning light projections by Yorkshire artist Fabric Lenny. Using bold animations, Lenny’s work brings coal mining history to life, featuring scenes of pit ponies, canaries, and local wildlife projected onto the museum’s iconic buildings.
One of the festival’s main attractions is Sentinel, a large-scale sculpture by Studio Vertigo inspired by the canaries that once safeguarded miners underground. Designed with sweeping curves reminiscent of protective wings, the sculpture honours Wakefield’s mining heritage and the spirit of hope and resilience.
The festival also offers an immersive VR experience, allowing visitors to explore the events of the 1984-85 Miners Strike through “Revealed – The Pit Camp.” Developed by Wakefield arts group One to One Development, this interactive VR brings archive footage, soundscapes, and historical materials together to create an unforgettable journey into coal mining’s past.
Adding to the holiday excitement, Santa will be making a unique appearance at the festival, travelling underground to meet with families and share gifts until his Christmas Eve return to the North Pole.
Throughout the festival, visitors can enjoy a lineup of festive activities, from fire performances and storytelling to carols and live music from the Hade Edge Brass Band. The museum’s café and food stalls will serve a delicious variety of seasonal treats, and visitors can browse Yorkshire-themed items in the Museum shop for unique holiday gifts.
The event will culminate with a magical lantern parade on Sunday at 5pm, where community-made lanterns will light up the night sky in a grand procession accompanied by the Hade Edge Brass Band.
Lynn Dunning, CEO of the National Coal Mining Museum England, said, “We are excited to welcome visitors from near and far to the Museum for our annual Light Up Festival. It’s important that we celebrate our rich heritage of coal mining, and it will be brought to life through stunning light displays, interactive experiences, and festive activities. It’s not only a magical way to start the festive season but the perfect way to find out more about our past. We can’t wait to share this enchanting experience with families and friends, on what will be an incredible three days.”
With illuminating art, festive treats, and a touch of history, the Light Up Festival is set to be an unforgettable way to start the Christmas celebrations for 2024! For more details, visit www.ncm.org.uk/whats-on/light-up/.
