New winter arts festival ‘IGNITE’ to light up Bishop Auckland this February

Description

This free celebration of light, storytelling and shared creativity is brought by Daisy Arts, in partnership with Hearth, The Auckland Project and Artistic Solutions. With the rallying cry “When the nights are long, we bring the light,” the festival invites families, friends, and visitors of all ages to gather.

Running from Friday, 20 February to Sunday, 22 February 2026, with events scheduled each day, IGNITE will open on Friday evening with a community parade through Auckland Palace grounds. Children from local schools will lead the way, wearing illuminated bishop’s mitres they have designed themselves, inspired by the town’s Prince Bishops, stained glass and heraldic colours.

Subject

As the evening continues, visitors will experience a second switch-on; a striking large-scale projection will light the Spanish Gallery – created by artist Gareth Hudson, from a narrative shared with local schools and community groups, who have then created the designs. Their artwork tells a story: winter turns to light, sparks gather, snow melts, trees grow, and homes glow. It ends with light pulsing from home to home across the town.