St Paul’s Cathedral is being transformed this week by the immersive sound and light show, Luminous. Created by the artistic collaboration Luxmuralis, led by sculptor Peter Walker and composer David Harper, this breathtaking display is running until the end of February 2025.
Following successful shows at St Martin-in-the-Fields in 2023 and 2024, Luminous turns the iconic interior of St Paul’s into a giant canvas, projecting artworks that depict the Cathedral’s history and heritage while incorporating elements from its extensive collections and archives. For the first time in the Cathedral’s long history, the display extends right up inside the dome, allowing visitors to experience the architecture in an entirely new way.
The show explores key moments in the Cathedral’s past, from William Tyndale’s delivery of the New Testament to the UK—an early copy of which is housed in the Cathedral’s library—to the Blitz of the Second World War and its impact on this London landmark.
The immersive combination of light, sound, neon signs, and the Cathedral’s grand architecture offers visitors a unique journey through history.
Sandra Lynes Timbrell, Director of Visitor Engagement at St Paul’s Cathedral, commented:
“St Paul’s Cathedral has been at the centre of London’s cultural and religious narrative for over a thousand years, and this is a fantastic way of bringing its history to life. The show will uncover a rich array of objects and material from our library and archives, helping to portray the Cathedral’s historic identity as both a vibrant church and a national icon. It’s accessible for people of all ages and would be a great option for anyone looking for a date night, solo trip, or a family outing.”
Peter Walker, Luxmuralis Lead Artist and Artistic Director, added:
“St Paul’s is a very special place for listening to music and observing art, and Luminous pays a fitting tribute to that. However, this is the first time in the Cathedral’s long history that its spaces have been animated by such an eclectic mix of light and sound. In the creative process, we wanted to focus on the experience of sound, not just the individual sound pieces, so visitors can expect to feel totally immersed as they journey across the Cathedral floor.”
The experience lasts between 45 minutes to one hour and is open to the public every evening from 6:30 PM to 10:00 PM between 22 February and 28 February 2025.
Tickets are available on the St Paul’s Cathedral website. Adult tickets cost £17.50, child tickets (ages 6-17) are £10, and those under six can attend for free. All proceeds from ticket sales directly support the Cathedral’s ongoing sustainability efforts, ensuring the preservation of its rich history for future generations.