Sparkle, sparkle: Immersive Christmas light show to return to Kilkenny
The Gift by Luxmuralis is a 40-minute immersive light show exploring the themes of giving and receiving during the Christmas season, set against the backdrop of St Canice’s Cathedral
St Canice's Cathedral has announced the return of the hugely popular art collective Luxmuralis in December. This time the art collective will present its spectacular immersive Christmas light-and-sound show, The Gift.
Following the success of its Son et Lumière last year, the light show returns for a second year, running from December 11-19 during Kilkenny’s Yulefest celebrations 2026.
The Gift by Luxmuralis is an immersive light show exploring what it means to give and receive during the Christmas season. Set against the backdrop of one of Ireland's oldest heritage buildings, this 360-degree light show will transform St Canice’s Cathedral into a canvas of light, colour, sound, and storytelling, celebrating the spirit of giving at Christmas.
The multisensory experience draws visitors into the historic space with moving imagery, accompanied by bespoke classical music. The 40-minute show features stars, angels, travellers bearing gifts, and luminous projections that twinkle across every column, wrapping the interior in colourful flickers of light.
The show blends contemporary festive imagery with timeless themes of hope, kindness, and joy.
“When we come into December, one of the things that is on everyone’s mind is the question of giving,” said Rev Stephen Farrell, Dean of Ossory. “What is beautiful about the light installation coming to the cathedral for its Irish premiere is that it really teases out themes of giving, generosity, and appreciation.
“It will take us through beautiful images, from winter scenes to Christmas trees and many seasonal symbols that will be on our minds and in our hearts at the festive time of year, while also helping us to tease out what might be the greatest gift we could receive or give this year.
“The cathedral is a beautiful setting. It has always been a place where artists have had the opportunity to shine, and a place where people go to look beyond themselves and find meaning and beauty. Luxmuralis is so immersive and so utterly engaging with all the senses that you will be drawn further and further into the story of The Gift.”
Luxmuralis (Latin for light mural) is a collaboration between sculptor Peter Walker and composer David Harper. Together, they create large-scale, immersive fine art experiences using cutting-edge projection technology with original classical compositions. Luxmuralis has been seen by over 1.5 million people around the globe in venues including Oxford University, the Limburg Dom in Germany and the Tower of London.
Creative Director Peter Walker says The Gift has been designed to welcome visitors of all ages, backgrounds, and beliefs. He commented, “It’s wonderful to be back in St Canice’s Cathedral this December. The 800-year-old cathedral is the perfect place to showcase contemporary art and tell a story, as old as time, to families from across Ireland. The light and sound experience is fully immersive and brings the story of giving and the joy of the festive period to life, set to beautiful music composed by David Harper. A wonderful place to be and soak in the season.”
The Gift by Luxmuralis runs from December 11-19, coinciding with Yulefest Kilkenny. Visitors are encouraged to book early, as each show has limited capacity. For more information, visit: https://www.stcanicescathedral.ie/event/the-gift-by-luxmuralis-at-st-canices-cathedral/ Tickets: €12.50/€8.50.