Lumen Festival of Lights

Vicky Andrews

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Lumen Festival of Lights

17 February 2023

Always double check opening hours with the venue before making a special visit.

Lumen Festival of Lights
Courtesy of Lumen - Crewe's Festival Of Lights
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Illuminating the best of Crewe, Lumen Festival of Lights is the town’s night of lights, a festive spectacle launched on the last Friday in November.

Since its inception in 2018, Lumen has drawn large crowds from across the region to the big switch-on event in Memorial Square. The first event was a bold addition to Crewe’s events programme with many travelling from Stoke, Newcastle, Middlewich, Northwich and Derbyshire, after hearing about the spectacle on social media.

Thousands descended on Crewe for the eagerly-anticipated return of Lumen in 2019, when crowds were left dazzled by another glittering programme. Attractions included jaw-dropping acrobatics over Memorial Square, an interactive LED installation called Colour Motion by artist Chris Plant, as well as a lantern procession which was led through the town by London samba group Rhythms of the City. After the big switch-on, a large-scale light projection was shown on the Municipal Buildings until 27 Dec, commissioned from Edinburgh projection experts Double Take, with a soundtrack from composer Barnaby Smith.

In 2021 Lumen came back as Lumen Lite, a scaled up version of the event in the form of a self-guided illuminated trail around Crewe Town Centre. Previous years included a digital light displays created by young people as part of the Luminate workshop programme, which was being held at Crewe Library in the lead up to the big switch-on.

We’re thrilled that Lumen is back, bringing an extra shine to this year’s festivities in Crewe.

Where to go near Lumen Festival of Lights

Image courtesy of Unitom.
Castlefield
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UNITOM Projects

The exhibition arm of Manchester indie bookshop UNITOM is a dedicated space for contemporary visual culture in the St John’s neighbourhood.

City Centre
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Portfolio

Portfolio is a Champagne boutique on Manchester’s Bridge Street, offering a set menu of fine-dining small bites.

Manchester
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Bridge 5 Mill

Bridge 5 Mill is a sustainable event space and community hub on Beswick Street in Ancoats, hosting independent cultural projects and ethical supper clubs.

1853 gallery 1
Manchester
Gallery
1853 Studios

1853 Studios and Gallery is a Creative Studios and community of creative professionals occupying the 3rd floors of Osborne Mill, Oldham.

Deansgate
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Podium

Podium delivers high-end, seasonal dishes, largely geared around produce and ideas from the British Isles, but with a few deft twists and turns.

Tai Wu
Manchester
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Tai Wu

Long-standing, trend-swerving Chinese restaurant on Manchester’s Upper Brook Street, with a reputation for authentic dim sum and traditional Cantonese cuisine.

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BAB Korean Food

A highlight of Manchester’s K-Food space, Bab Korean Food serves up authentic, well-made dishes at the Kargo MKT food hall in MediaCity.

Dimitri's
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Dimitri’s

Longstanding Greek taverna Dimtri’s delivers traditional, fuss-free Greek food, aimed at everyone from courting couples to multi-generational families in Manchester.

Kong's NQ
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Kong’s NQ

Kong’s isn’t like other chicken shops. This much-loved Northern Quarter restaurant is all about high-grade ingredients and expert preparation.

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Trading Route

Trading Route serves up time-honoured Sunday grub, in a modern Manchester setting. Worth a visit for the expertly-curated soundtrack alone.

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From £10
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Manchester Open 2026 at HOME

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Free entry
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Workshops at FACT

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