Lanterns, Light and Local Voices: Light Works Returns to Illuminate Workington and Seascale
Lanterns, Light and Local Voices: Light Works Returns to Illuminate Workington and Seascale
After the huge success of last year’s festival, Light Works returns this December with two magical community-led celebrations of light, creativity and connection.
Light Works will illuminate Workington on Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 December, followed by Seascale on Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December. Both events will open with a spectacular community lantern parade at 5.30pm on the Saturday evening, led by artist Celia Burbush and featuring handmade lanterns created in local workshops.
This year’s Light Works invites visitors to step into a series of imaginative light-filled worlds shaped by artists, schools and residents from across West Cumbria. Highlights will include the enchanting Magic Light Pathway, an immersive Super Light Tunnel, and the Film and Drawing Castle, where local stories and artwork will be projected in light.
Visitors will also discover the Magical Squiggle Voice People, the Light Dance Project by movement artist Katy Higgins, and the Community Light Works Carol – a musical piece composed by Jack McNeill and inspired by community stories, memories and voices gathered this year. Each location will present its own unique atmosphere; in Seascale, Light Works will shine alongside the much-loved Christmas Tree Festival at St Cuthbert’s Church, accompanied by performances from The Songsmiths Ukulele group & Phoenix Praise Choir.
The programme has been developed collaboratively with residents through community workshops, and collaborative arts projects. Lantern artist Celia Burbush has worked closely with the Everyone Here team, local children, adults and families to create a procession, while renowned Cumbrian composer and musician Jack McNeill has transformed local people’s words, memories and music into a piece of musical storytelling to be shared at the festival. Other key artistic contributors include Everyone Here’s own Nanette Madden and Georgina Boyce, visual artist Janice Murray, multimedia artist Giles W Bennett; dance artist Katy Higgins; and theatre company The Knotted Project.
Light Works is free to attend, open to all, and powered by community generosity, creativity and local partnerships.
Donations made at the events will go directly towards supporting Light Works 2026, helping to keep the experience accessible to everyone.
This year’s festival has been made possible thanks to the support of Arts Council England, Cumberland Council, by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. (Workington) and the Mid Copeland GDF Community Partnership (Seascale).
To learn more about what’s happening, follow Cumbria Guide on our social media
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