Lancaster Arts City

18/10/2026

Light Up Lancaster returns from 5-7 November 2026, transforming the city into a giant open-air gallery of light, colour and creativity. Over three magical evenings, Lancaster's streets, landmarks and public spaces will come alive with spectacular light installations, interactive artworks and surprising experiences designed to delight visitors of all ages.

This year's theme, No Boundaries, invites audiences to celebrate the connections and shared experiences that bring them together. Pieces such as Zero Knowledge, which creates shared visual poetry from anonymous audience contributions; Duplication, which challenges the boundaries between the physical and digital worlds; and Dear Earthling..., which reflects on our shared place in the world, all explore this year's theme in different and thought-provoking ways.

Families can look forward to brand-new Fun Zones, where children and young people can play, create and become part of the artwork through hands-on activities and interactive experiences.

The celebrations begin during half term (26-30 October) with Explore Week, a free programme of creative workshops and activities at The Storey. Packed with hands-on opportunities to explore light, art and science, Explore Week is delivered in partnership with Lancaster University's Engagement Team, with support from the University's Impact Acceleration Account programme.

EXPLORE WEEK: 26 – 30 OCTOBER

LIGHT UP LANCASTER: 5 - 7 NOVEMBER

The Explore Week workshops offer a great introduction to the themes of Light Up Lancaster, helping young people and families discover the creativity, science and imagination behind the artworks they will encounter during the festival itself.

All the festival installations are free to enjoy and will be on display from 5pm to 10pm each evening (5- 7 November). So save the dates and prepare to experience Lancaster's brightest festival of the year!

www.lightuplancaster.co.uk

Light Up Lancaster is supported by Lancaster City Council and Arts Council England, with additional support from Hotfoot, English Lakes Hotels, Lancaster University, Lancaster University Confucius Institute, Lancashire County Council, The Duchy of Lancaster, Our Future Coast and Creative Lancashire.

05/10/2026

The Dukes, Lancaster is proud to host the Lancaster Screenwriting Room, a monthly screenwriting workshop (the first Tuesday of every month) in The Gallery from 6pm-8:30pm.

Taking your first steps in to screenwriting? Working on a script already? Or perhaps you just want to try something new? At the Lancaster Screenwriting Room, you'll find a supportive space to share ideas, receive feedback and connect with fellow writers.

To find out more, contact Natalie on: [email protected]
Over 18s only
£4 donation fee appreciated

18/09/2026

The Border Readers present Words of Love at
The Gregson Centre, Lancaster on Thursday 19th Nov (7.30)

The Border Readers is an association of regionally based professional actors who have been presenting live audio events in libraries, art centres, galleries, hostelries, village halls, theatres, pubs and historic houses across the northern English border counties since 2018.

Words of Love consists of four contemporary short stories. "The Row" by Penelope Lively is a whip-smart piece of comic writing on the ups and downs of married life from the Booker Prize-winning author. Helen Hutchinson's "Taking Flight" is the poignant story of would-be lovers in Victorian Perthshire and the role played by a rural library in shaping their destinies. "In Plastic Heart" by Jeremy Page, Jamie dumps Helen so Helen dumps the clothes he bought
her...or tries to. A painfully funny take on the unexpected perils of starting over. "To Belong To" by Kerry Andrew is a heart-warming tale of grief and redemption through the healing powers of community and nature on a remote Scottish island.

Tickets: In person at the Gregson, www.gregson.co.uk or call 01524-849959.

16/09/2026

Cinderella cast announced! Read about the fabulous cast of this year’s The Dukes, Lancaster Christmas show!

Announcing the cast for the Dukes Christmas show, Cinderella! After the last four years in the Rake, Christmas is back in the Round Theatre. The Dukes are thrilled to return to this unique space for a magical, immersive festive play. This Cinderella is a sparkling whirlwind full of laughs, live music, brilliant costumes, and fairytale charm. Written by BAFTA-winner Ian Kershaw (Coronation Street) and directed by Polly Wain (a former member of the Dukes Young Company), this production is “laced” with Lancaster heart and “sole”!

This talented cast of actor-musicians are ready to bring Cinderella to life! The eponymous heroine Ella is played by Evie Hargreaves, whose theatre credits include To Kill A Mockingbird (West End and UK & Ireland Tour), The Merchant of Venice 1936 (West End and UK Tour), and Too Much World At Once (HOME Manchester and UK Tour). Helen Longworth, a regular performer at the Dukes, returns as stepmother Clarissa. Helen plays Hannah Riley in The Archers (BBC R4) and has worked on hundreds of radio plays. With her own company, she performed/composed for Ladies That Bus (2020) and Ladies That Dig (2023). The gloriously garish Ugly Stepsisters will be played by Analiese Emerson Guettinger (Greta) and Jenny Murphy (Grizelda). Analiese studied at Bristol Old Vic Theatre School where she played Warwick in Henry VI: Days of Rebellion, Polina in The Seagull, and Viola in Twelfth Night. Jenny’s theatre credits include The Cavern Club Story (UK tour), Alice in Wonderland (The Grange Theatre), and A Matter of Life and Death (New Vic). Prince ‘Danny’ is played by Oliver Nazareth Aston, whose theatre credits include The Sound of Music (Pitlochry Festival Theatre), Jeff Wayne's War Of The Worlds: The Immersive Experience (Layered Reality), and Oneida (Seven Dials Playhouse). Oliver is set to appear as a lead voice actor in the video game sequel to the BAFTA-nominated game Cassette Beasts. The cast is completed by David Ahmad as Dad/King. David’s West End credits include The Kite Runner (also at the Nottingham and Liverpool Playhouse) and What I Heard About Iraq. Other productions include The Bolds and Mr. Holgado at the Unicorn and The Card for Claybody.

Cinderella runs on Mondays - Saturdays from November 21 - January 2. Tickets must be booked in advance. Group bookings available. Please contact The Dukes Box Office on 01524 598500 or [email protected]

Ticket Information:
Tickets are available for purchase online at https://dukeslancaster.org/whats-on/theatre/cinderella or by contacting the Dukes Theatre box office at 01524 598 500. Early booking is advised to avoid disappointment.

11/09/2026

Lancaster Heritage Arts & Crafts Fayre
24 October @ 10:30 am - 3:00 pm
The Gregson Community & Arts Centre
33-35 Moorgate, Lancaster, LA1 3PY
The Lancaster Heritage Arts Craft Fair will be selling quality products from crafters selling products that are hand made and made in a traditional manner.
These crafts are heritage crafts such as silversmithing, bookbinding, basketry, blacksmithing and more!
Find fantastic gifts and items whilst helping keep traditional arts and crafts alive – you may even be inspired to take up these crafts yourself!
Donation to entry.

23/08/2026

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Calling all Lancaster parents & families! 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦

If you’ve loved exploring in the past, we have a small favour to ask to help make this year’s festival the best one yet for our kids!

A crowdfunding campaign has been set up to run free, dedicated Fun Zones embedded in the festival trail. Rather than just looking at the lights, children will get to interact directly with international light art and help power the installations themselves! Every pound pledged brings us closer to making this a reality for thousands of local children.

👉 Read the full story and back us here: https://www.spacehive.com/light-up-lancaster-fun-zones
Thank you so much for backing these local creative experiences!
❤️

10/08/2026

Direct from the Edinburgh Fringe!
Bryony Kimmings’ Bog Witch comes to The Dukes, Lancaster
11th-12th September

World-renowned performance artist Bryony Kimmings is touring her blistering one-woman show Bog Witch to The Dukes. Kimmings’ work as a writer includes the film Last Christmas (alongside Emma Thompson) and the BBC One thriller The Rapture, which concluded last month. But Kimmings is also known for her innovative theatre work that blends autobiography, social commentary, comedy, and music.

In Bog Witch, Bryony tells the story of her move from the city to the Sussex countryside with her son and partner. The change does not come easy - having to give up her home comforts and favourite shops, she’s forced to confront how she views life, the planet, and herself. As the world’s least likely eco-convert, Bryony navigates surprising transformations in the boggy terrains of her new home.

Bryony’s remarkable storytelling style mingles sincerity, comic brilliance, and vibrant physical performance, creating a personal and affective theatrical style. Within the haunting natural atmosphere onstage, Bryony brings folkloric elements together with original music to build the fantastic world of Bog Witch.

Join The Dukes for a truly exciting and powerful piece of theatre, straight from a major engagement at the Edinburgh Fringe.

06/08/2026

Vacancy: Fundraiser at E2M

Escape2Make | read more about our Vacancy: Fundraiser blog.

03/08/2026

Light Up The North ILLUMINE 2 Light Art Open Call

We are launching ILLUMINE 2 – an ambitious commissioning opportunity for Black and People of Colour (POC) artists to create a bold new light artwork that will tour to festivals across the North of England.

08/07/2026

https://artscity.co.uk/10-tickets-to-robin-hood/

£10 Tickets to Robin Hood The Dukes Affordable Ticket Scheme