Scarborough Lights returns to St Mary’s Church this November with Reflections, a stunning showcase of light-based artworks by local artists Animated Objects, Adrian Riley, and Astro Dog. Running over three weekends from 15 November to 1 December, the event invites visitors to explore light installations designed to complement the church’s historic architecture and offer a moment of reflection and wonder.
“This is a fantastic selection of displays to open this year’s Scarborough Lights festival,” said festival director Julian Caddy. “The exterior of St Mary’s will be lit nightly, becoming a beacon visible across South Bay, but we encourage everyone to come inside and experience the artworks in person.”
Featured Installations
The Tree of Dedications, Reflections and Memories – Animated Objects
A 3.5m handcrafted tree lantern takes pride of place in the chapel, its branches adorned with illuminated hearts and stars created by the community. Each ornament carries a dedication to loved ones, and visitors are invited to contribute their own handwritten messages to be added during the event.
“This tree is designed to look magical yet perfectly suited to the space,” explained artist Lee Threadgold. “The ornaments and messages create a special connection among all who experience it.”
Light in Darkness – Adrian Riley
Adrian Riley’s neon installation in the central nave draws inspiration from John 1:5: “Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness will not comprehend the light.” Words from the verse light up in a random sequence, forming new phrases that encourage personal interpretation.
Riley explains, “Visitors can sit in a pew, watch the words appear and disappear, and find their own meaning in the illuminated text.”
Celestial Adventures – Astro Dog
Astro Dog transforms the church into a gateway to the heavens with a 360-degree planetarium dome showcasing the wonders of the night sky. Visitors can enjoy timelapse videos of the Milky Way, auroras, and more, accompanied by an atmospheric soundtrack.
The exhibit also features 3D lightbox photographic artworks of galaxies, nebulae, and natural phenomena. Each piece is paired with a short story about its creation, offering insight into the artistry and science behind the images.
Event Details
Reflections runs on:
- Friday 15 & Saturday 16 November
- Friday 22 to Sunday 24 November
- Friday 29 November to Sunday 1 December
Doors open at 5:00pm each evening. Tickets are available on a ‘Pay as you feel’ basis, with a suggested donation of £5. Visitors can book 30-minute time slots via scarboroughfair.uk but are welcome to stay longer.
For more details on Reflections and other Scarborough Lights events, visit scarboroughfair.uk/lights.
