Discover the meaning of Christmas with a new immersive experience in Kilkenny

This December, Starlight, a fully immersive 35-minute experience by acclaimed art collective Luxmuralis, makes its Irish debut.

For an unforgettable eight nights, Starlight will transform the 800-year-old interior of St Canice's Cathedral into a breath-taking canvas of moving light projections and cinematic soundscapes.

The 360° light-and-sound experience invites audiences to step inside the story and embark on a celestial journey inspired by the Christmas season.

The vast 'Son et Lumiere' installation runs from 14 to 21 December, the highlight of the Yulefest Kilkenny winter celebrations. Tickets for the event are available from www.yulefestkilkenny.ie

Cutting-edge storytelling, described as the 'stained glass windows of our time'

Inspired by the guiding star of the Nativity, the story unfolds through a beautifully articulated series of fine art projections and bespoke classical compositions, leading the audience through an emotional story arc that brings home the meaning of Christmas.

Described as the 'stained glass windows of our time', as visitors enter the cathedral, they will become wrapped in a kaleidoscope of twinkling stars. Starlight by Luxmuralis is more than a light show. It combines fine art tradition with cutting-edge storytelling, offering an unforgettable Christmas experience that appeals to families, art lovers, and festival goers alike.

Organisers say the show will offer Irish audiences a new way to experience the magic of Christmas. 

"We're excited to share this extraordinary immersive experience. Something completely new for Ireland," Marian Flannery, Director of Yulefest Kilkenny, said. 

"Starlight offers audiences a unique way to rediscover the spirit of Christmas, made even more special against the centuries-old walls of St Canice's Cathedral."

Luxmuralis (Latin for 'light mural') is an internationally renowned artistic collaboration between sculptor Peter Walker and composer David Harper that transforms sacred and historic spaces through cutting-edge visual storytelling.

The collective has presented artwork in some of the world's most iconic locations, including St. Paul's Cathedral in London, Oxford University, the Limburg Dom in Germany, and The Tower of London. Their work has been seen by over 1.2 million people worldwide.

Peter Walker, Luxmuralis' Artistic Director, is pleased to bring the experience to Ireland. 

"We are delighted to be bringing Luxmuralis to Ireland for the very first time and debuting the Starlight light and sound installation in Kilkenny. It is wonderful to be bringing this immersive artwork to St Canice's Cathedral, something audiences in Ireland have never experienced before.

"Kilkenny provides the perfect backdrop for this celebration of light, hope and wonder, and we cannot wait to share it in Ireland this Christmas."

Dean of St Canice's Cathedral, the very Reverend, Stephen Farrell, added,

"Starlight by Luxmuralis is going to be a spectacular, fully immersive work of art inside a building that is already incredibly beautiful and awe-inspiring. I hope that people from across Ireland come and spend time in the peace of the Cathedral, in a totally immersive light and soundscape, to ponder for themselves that age-old promise we celebrate at Christmas."

One of the most unique Christmas Experiences in 2025

Kilkenny Yulefest is the city's programme of Christmas events, which includes markets, concerts, and family activities organised by Kilkenny County Council. St Canice's Cathedral and Round Tower, consistently among Kilkenny's top-three attractions, is a focal point in the festivities as it becomes the stage for Luxmuralis; 'art on an epic scale'.

Visitors are encouraged to book early, with limited capacity for each performance. Tickets start from €10. For more information, visit www.yulefestkilkenny.ie.

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