Light Show Event Guide

Welcome to Science | Lighting up our Universe

Welcome to this, the last of our trilogy of celebration at the wonders of science in light and sound, held in this beautiful and ancient space. This leaflet highlights the specific advancements in scientific under standing which we are celebrating. Together, they point to the building blocks of life and of the universe which sustains it.

A common misunderstanding is that faith and science are in conflict, but the reality is far from this. The very design and construction of this cathedral, achieved so splendidly by people of Christian faith in a so-called pre-scientific age, is lasting testimony to this. Medieval books written by monks from this and other abbeys still survive with complex mathematical studies into the world and universe as they saw it.

To move from wonder at this world to discernment of a loving Creator God requires, of course, a leap of faith. But faith is the basis of any quest for truth, starting as it does from a place of ignorance but being prepared to test ideas about how reality is ordered. Without such faith, there would be no scientific progress, no extending of the borders of our limited understanding.

Whatever your faith or values, our hope is that you have an inspiring and immersive experience in this place, to lift up your heart and mind in awe and wonder. We hope, too, that we may all be inspired to become better stewards of this world as we become more aware of our impact, for better or worse. May it also inspire us to seek after truth and understanding, and to value the achievements of women and men of science today.

Finally, we hope that you will want to return in the light of day, to share in some of our activities and to discover some of the mysteries and wonders of this ancient place of welcome, learning, and worship.

Lady Chapel

Be immersed in a moving kaleidoscope of colour as the elements and symbols of the periodic table bring to life the beautiful architecture of the Lady Chapel. This is set to a mediative sound piece of the most significant discoveries of science.

North Presbytery Aisle

Walk through equations of chemistry and physics that emerge and revolve above you.

North Transept

Created from the images of anatomy, from some of the world’s great renaissance artworks, and merged with contemporary visuals, this artwork explores the biology of humans.

Presbytery Screen

Projected onto the Presbytery Screen, the artwork reflects on the scale of all things. From atoms, to DNA, to the splitting of cells and to new life, this is a moving and beautiful artwork set to a stunning accompanying sound artwork.

South Transept

Experience an abstract projection that brings to life the medical screening and scanning of the human body.

Draw in the Dark | Family Workshop Get creative and have fun drawing your favourite source of light with glow-in-the-dark markers and stickers.

Nave

From floor to ceiling, the nave will be awash with colour and bathed in filmic sound as the artwork explores the history of science and the discoveries and individuals associated with it. Watch as we travel through thousands of years of discovery to the modern day of data and technology.

Explore more in our Science, Light and Faith programme

Adult Learning Divine Designs Tour

From Friday 28 October, St Albans Cathedral

Explore the incredible ways in which science, technology, engineering and maths have been used to build and beautify this building on our new tour. Free tickets available from our website.

Let There Be Light! Cosmology and Metaphor in the Bible Wednesday 2 November, 7.30pm - 9pm, Alban Room and online

Join our Canon Environmentalist, Dr Hilary Marlow, to explore the importance of light in Christian understanding.

Tickets £10 (students £6), available from our website.

Light Symbolism, Dark Skies and Light Pollution

Thursday 1 December, 7.30pm - 9pm, Alban Room and Online

Join art historian Dr Valerie Shrimplin as she explores how the sight and contemplation of stars and galaxies have inspired religions, myths and philosophies.

Tickets £10 (students £6), available from our website.

Sharing the Light Wednesday 14 December, 7.30pm - 9pm, Alban Room

Join Canon Kevin Walton and Rabbi Adam in this season of light as they share texts from the Jewish and Christian traditions relating to Advent and Hanukkah.

Tickets £10 (students £6), available from our website.

Healing Light and Medicine: Exploring the Science and the Spiritual Thursday 26 January, 7.30pm - 9pm, Alban Room and Online

Explore how light is used in medicine and join the Rev’d Professor Nick Goulding, expert in laser technologies, as he reflects on the spiritual dimensions of light and healing.

Tickets £10 (students £6), available from our website.

Light and Movement: Debussy, Music, and the Book of Nature Thursday 30 March, c.7.30pm – 9.30pm, St Albans Cathedral

This evening blends live performances of Debussy’s music with talks exploring his use of poetry, art and ‘the book of nature’, and asks how this could speak to Christians today.

Tickets £12.50, available from our website.

Explore more in our Science, Light and Faith programme

Family Events

Felted Stained Glass Windows | Family Workshop

Monday 24 October, 10.30am - 12pm; 1.30pm - 3pm, Alban Room

Come along and learn the magical craft of felt making. Be inspired by the light shining through the Cathedral’s beautiful Rose Window as you create your very own felted window artwork to take home.

Tickets £6 per child (accompanying adults free), available from our website.

Mad Science | Family Workshop

Tuesday 25 October and Wednesday 26 October, 11am - 12pm

Join Atomic Amy for a morning of Mad Science! Experience glow in the dark volcanoes, rainbow glasses and much more. Suitable for ages 7 - 11.

Tickets £10 per child (accompanying adults free), available from our website.

Family Discovery Morning

Thursday 27 October, 10am - 3pm

The Cathedral is full of scientific wonders, and this trail allows you to explore and learn all about them! From forces to light, to creepy crawlies to planets, the monastery has been a place of scientific learning for over 1000 years. See what you can discover before making a fantastic piece of scientific art & craft. Free, no booking required.

Exhibition Area

Discover science through history at St Albans Cathedral in our new exhibition.

Shop and Cafe

Take a look around our shop for lots of fantastic science themed products, and warm yourself up with a delicious hot chocolate (or glass of wine!) from Abbot’s Kitchen cafe. Shop open 6pm - 8.30pm, cafe open 6pm - 10pm.

Feedback

Thank you for coming to our light show, we hope you enjoyed the event. We would love to hear your thoughts and feedback. Please scan the QR code to fill out a short survey about your experience. Thank you.

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