Christmas: Workington switch on lights with new show

Workington will be all aglow this weekend (Saturday 30 November and Sunday 1 December) with Hall Park Light Works - a spectacular new Cumberland Council Light District event bringing seasonal sparkle to West Cumbria.

This enchanting event for all ages will transform Hall Park in Workington into a glittering wonderland after dark.

Workington Hall will be covered in colourful projections created by artist Ronan Devlin. Ronan is using hundreds of symbols, drawn from Workington’s rich cultural and industrial heritage and contemporary landscape, to make them interact with each other in a vibrant orbiting constellation.

Light shows will be held on Saturday and Sunday (Image: Stuart Walker) Artist Hannah Fox is taking inspiration from Workington’s history in manufacturing world class rails. Expect to go on a journey through the park, passing railway signals and being guided by fantasy railway workers.

And to add extra sparkle artist Dan Fox will make specks of light dance across trees and paths with a disco ball installation and create a magical luminous tree in the centre of the park.

Bringing the light installations all together will be a soundscape throughout the park featuring music from Workington Town Brass Band, who were recorded recently with the help of technicians from The Carnegie Theatre and Arts Centre.

Hot food and drink will also be on hand to keep everyone warm and the West Cumbria Guild of Model Engineers will be running passenger carriages on the miniature railway track throughout the event.

Trees will be illuminated (Image: Stuart Walker) The event is free to attend and part of Cumberland Council’s Light District and presented in partnership with Everyone Here. Everybody is welcome to join the fun.

Supported by the UK Government and Arts Council England, the event is free to attend - no ticket is required, just turn up. It will run each night from 5.30pm to 8.30pm, the event will be fully accessible.

Councillor Anne Quilter, Cumberland Council’s executive member for vibrant and healthy places, said: "Following our successful Light District events in Carlisle and St Bees, we are now excited to extend the programme to Workington. This is a free event for all the family to enjoy. No matter what age you are, you’ll have a great time. So join us and experience the magic of winter in Workington in a whole new light."

Co-Director Sam Hunt, Everyone Here, said: "Hall Park Light Works is the result of a series of incredible collaborations. From the artists Hannah and Ronan, who despite having very different practices are together creating a magical experience that will feel totally unique to Workington. To Cumberland Council working in partnership with us at Everyone Here to make it all happen. We can’t wait to welcome you to this familiar place transformed into something extraordinary."

Project Producer, Karen Thompson, Everyone Here, said: "We feel very lucky to have worked with Workington Town Hall Band on the soundscape for the event. Their sound is a hugely important part of Workington’s heritage and they provide local people the opportunity to practise and develop their musicianship. I’d encourage anyone interested in joining to go along to their Thursday rehearsals. They are an incredibly friendly and talented bunch of people and are currently looking for new players and a new conductor."

This new Light District event is part of a wider winter programme of activities taking place in and around Workington throughout November 2024.

The Workington Light Switch On takes place earlier in the day on Saturday 30 November. They’ll be live music from 90s pop legends 911 and others on the main stage, a giant snow globe, a Christmas market, elf workshops and much more.

Workington Art Trail will continue over the event weekend. It’s an exciting collection of commissioned artworks displayed in windows throughout the town centre.