Connecting Cultures Festival

A world-famous interactive sculpture, by Architects of Air, that has captivated more than four million visitors across the globe including Australia, America and Abu Dhabi is now coming to Accrington this summer as the headline attraction at the hugely anticipated Connecting Cultures celebration.

All workshops, entry to the Luminarium and visiting the main festival event in Oak Hill Park is free for everyone.

The Luminarium will host a range of free bookable workshops, including storytelling, dance, tai chi and performance.  The workshops will be available to book.

The event builds on the success of previous Connecting Cultures celebrations in 2023 at Accrington Market and 2024 at Haworth Art Gallery.  The 2026 event is at Oak Hill Park, now the only Accrington location large enough to host the spectacular Luminarium, as the event continues to expand.

The general public will be able to enter the Luminarium (priority slots are now fully booked), while a limited number of walk-up places will be available on the day.  The day will also feature a packed programme of family-friendly entertainment and activities from 10:00 - 16:00 in Oak Hill Park.  Visitors can enjoy cultural food and drink stalls, free face painting, free hair braiding, free henna art, craft and artisan stalls.

A free shuttle bus will run from Accrington town centre to Oak Hill Park throughout the event, 10:00 - 16:00.

There will also be free dragon storytelling sessions, offering a mythical experience where families can meet magical creatures and enjoy captivating stories.  Children can also take part in a free circus school workshop, featuring interactive circus fun, the chance to try out circus skills and opportunities to play with a range of circus toys.

There will also be live performances throughout the day, alongside a variety of cultural performances and entertainment on the main stage, including K-pop Icons, where visitors can sing and dance along to some K-pop classics. Guests can also join the free K-pop disco taking place throughout the day, along with special appearances from Durpy and much more.

Connecting Cultures celebrates the rich diversity of Hyndburn's communities through art, culture, storytelling, music and shared experiences.  With a world-renowned attraction at its heart and a full day of free activities on offer, this year's event promises to be one of the highlights of the summer.

The bespoke Luminarium arriving in Accrington is called Timisien, which promises to be one of the largest and most exciting cultural attractions ever hosted in the borough.  Presented as part of Architects of Air Connexus Tour, Accrington has been chosen as one of only four towns to host the walk-through artwork alongside a diverse and family-focused creative programme.

For over thirty years, Architects of Air has pioneered immersive public art through its monumental Luminaria, sculptures that people enter to be moved to a sense of wonder at the beauty of light and colour.

Since 1992, Architects of Air have created and toured these artworks captivating over four million visitors in 47 countries.  Handcrafted in Nottingham from more than 3,000 individual pieces, each Luminarium is designed by founder Alan Parkinson drawing inspiration from cathedrals, Islamic architecture, and natural forms to shape dazzling maze-like spaces of winding paths and soaring domes.  Inclusive to all, the experience is intended for audiences of every age and ability with a particular care to ensure accessibility for wheelchair users and the SEND community.

Launching in 2022 to celebrate Architects of Air’s 30th year, Timisien delves deeper into the elements of the Luminarium as a place to get lost to rest, and particularly to experience light and colour. 

Architects of Air Connexus Tour is funded by Arts Council England and supported by Hyndburn Borough Council, Accrington.

Free event