Winter of Light and Fire
Winter of Light and Fire
Nourish your imagination and prioritise wellbeing this winter with activities inspired by the elements light and fire.
Following ancient traditions, we invite you to gather round warm fires, experience music, song and poetry as well as delicious food and drink.
Be inspired by artworks, make time for your own creativity, enjoy a meal by candlelight, or simply enjoy a moment of pause. Anchored around the Light Organ in the Chapel, this season offers a feast of sensory experiences for everyone to enjoy.
Food and drink
Recharge with a delicious meal or warm chilly hands with a coffee, with stunning views of the Park.
Fuel your visit with a hearty cooked breakfast in The Kitchen Café, featuring locally sourced bacon and sausage and free-range eggs, freshly baked pastries and delicious coffee. Available Tuesday–Sunday 10.00–11.45.
Enjoy Sunday lunch in The Kitchen Café with friends and family, with a selection of traditional locally sourced roast meats with accompaniments, hot carved sandwiches, vegetarian and vegan specials, homemade puddings and pastries on offer.
Available 12.00–15.00 on Sundays throughout the winter months.
Look out for special dining experiences including Christmas by candlelight at The Weston, and the return of our Festive Sunday Lunch menu at The Kitchen Café.
Must-see exhibitions
World-class exhibitions await in our four indoor galleries, including humorous and thought-provoking work by the renowned Austrian artist Erwin Wurm. Take part in playful activities for all ages inspired by the exhibition and try creating your own One Minute Sculptures – an ongoing series of works where participants interact with ordinary objects such as buckets, fruit or chairs. Drop-in to free bitesize exhibition highlight tours on selected weekends at 14.30.
Other highlights this season include Light Organ in the Chapel, new ceramic, textile and basketwork sculptures by Jonathan Baldock in The Weston Gallery and new works by world-renowned ceramic artist Florian Gadsby at YSP Centre.
Outdoors in the Formal Garden, explore Daniel Arsham's Relics in the Landscape, inspired by ancient monuments and cartoon characters. We talked to Arsham about his work, and to some of his fans about why they love it.
Discover art outdoors
Whatever the weather, YSP is the perfect place to enjoy and connect with nature. There are lakes, woodlands, gardens and countryside to explore – home to sheep, geese, herons and Highland cows. Set against this beautiful backdrop are 100 artworks outdoors by some of the world’s leading artists. You can find giant iconic handbags, enormous animals, colourful shapes and fascinating figures.
Pick up a YSP Map to help you locate sculptures around the Park or join a guided Art and Landscape Twilight Tour (selected Saturdays at 15.00, until 20 January 2024).
Shopping
Treat yourself or get a head start on your Christmas shopping at our award-winning shops. You’ll be sure to find a unique gift – we work closely with talented artists to create bespoke exhibition merchandise and exclusive limited editions, as well as having a beautiful range of contemporary jewellery and craft.
Browse books, homeware, accessories, food and more in person at the YSP Centre and The Weston, or online.
Support Us
Explore Light and Fire events this winter
- Event
Festive Tree Decorations Workshop: Jonathan Baldock
Inspired by the joyous works in Jonathan Baldock’s Weston Gallery exhibition and the uplifting Light Organ in the Chapel, create your own festive decorations thinking about light, joy and colour to hang at home. - Event
Light Organ Late x Aron Kyne and Thabo Mkwananzi
Get your festive season started and join us for a magical evening of light and fire at YSP. See the Light Organ come to life, as it is activated by electrifying performances by musicians Aron Kyne and Thabo Mkwananzi. - Event
Brass Christmas - An evening of Festive Dining and Live Music
Join us for a festive gathering by candle light, enjoyed to the sounds of live music provided by Emley Brass Band. Begin the festivities with a warming mulled wine surrounded by the shining lights of the Christmas tree. Then take your seats in The Kitchen Café for a delicious three course dinner, coffee and mince pies. - Event
School Staff CPD: Light, Sleep and Wellbeing Connection
–During the winter while nature rests, join us for a guided visit to the Chapel to explore Light Organ by local artists Akeelah Bertram, Adam Glatherine and creative technologist Simon Fletcher. For all school staff. - Event
Art and Landscape Twilight Tour
–As the sun begins to set, end your day at YSP with a memorable twilight guided walk to the Chapel, and enjoy an introduction to Light Organ, a joyful and interactive artwork where you can bring sound to life through light and colour. - Event
Sculpture Baby: Light Organ
–Spend creative time with your baby and enjoy this sensory session set in the colourful Light Organ installation in the Chapel. - Event
Christmas by candlelight at The Weston
–Celebrate with friends and family at The Weston this Christmas with an evening of great food and music. Join us around the bonfire with a hot toddy and Christmas canapés, with music performances by Ruby Macintosh, followed by a special three-course menu from Weston Head Chef Richard Hartley. - Event
New Year Noticing: Family Walk with Jo Blaker
Join us for a creative nature walk to welcome in the New Year. Visit the joyous Jonathan Baldock exhibition at The Weston, before heading outside to draw together. Relax, unwind and enjoy creative time together on this family walk. - Event
Tales in the Gallery: Light Organ
Join us on the first Saturday of the month for interactive and immersive storytelling in the gallery, inspired by the magical Light Organ installation in the Chapel. - Event
Light, Sleep and Wellbeing Connection
During the winter while nature rests, join us for a guided visit to the Light Organ - an interactive experience bringing sound and light to our Chapel. We will visit James Turrell’s Skyspace on our journey back to the Visitor Centre, where you will have an opportunity to learn how sleeping well benefits our physical and mental health. - Event
Light Organ Late x Keisha Thompson
Join us for the last Light Organ Late of our winter season. For this final performance, we will be joined by YSP's Poet in Residence, Keisha Thompson. See the Light Organ come to life, in this final live activation by an electrifying performance of poetry and song, as Keisha joins musicians, Aron Kyne and Thabo Mkwananzi.
