Let there be light: York Minster nave as you’ve never seen it

York Minster’s cavernous nave will be transformed by a light show this weekend.

Called Northern Lights, the sound and light projection is designed by artists Ross Ashton and Karen Monid, taking inspiration from the cathedral’s stained glass and architecture.

Designed to be an immersive experience, the show takes place over two nights this weekend.

Light projections onto the nave and great west window will be accompanied by music, including recordings from the Minster choir.

The night before (Friday, June 15), a 700-guest dinner will kick-off the proceedings, all tor raise money for the precious cathedral windows.

Cheerio chairs

Already about 1,400 chairs have been moved out of the nave to prepare for the special event.

During the week work will include installing equipment for the sound and light projection, erecting catering marquees and the delivery and laying of 70 tables for the dinner.

Director of the York Minster Fund Neil Sanderson said the money raised will support a 20-year project to extend state-of-the-art external glazing to all 128 of the Minster’s mostly medieval stained glass windows, around 60% of which currently have no protection from the elements.

Currently, over 70 of these irreplaceable windows have no protection from the elements, leaving them exposed to damage and decay.

The funds raised from these events will directly support our work to provide protection to this glass, buying much needed time for conservation work, and we’re therefore hugely grateful to all our sponsors and to everyone who plans to visit and support us over the weekend.

– Neil Sanderson

The headline sponsor for the event is Langleys Solicitors.