A PARK in Winchester will be transformed into a land of fantasy and lights as the council pours funding into the ‘season of light’.

Following the success of the 2022 ‘Lights in the City’ event, Winchester City Council has announced that Abbey Gardens will become an Enchanted Light Garden from February 11 to March 5 with displays of light-up tunnels, fairy tale creatures and flowery delights.

The three-week display forms part of the ‘season of light’, culminating in Winchester Cathedral’s Luxmuralis event The Elements.

READ MORE: Luxmuralis at Winchester Cathedral for lights show

The project is government funded through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund which supports communities by investing in arts and culture.

Winchester City Council has allocated £45,000 from the fund to build on the ‘season of light’ across the district over the next two years.

On the weekend of February 18 and 19 free interactive entertainment will also take place as walkabout artists perform throughout the late afternoon and early evenings.

Hampshire Chronicle:

Access to see the lights is free and recommended as night falls for the best result. However, daytime visitors will still be able to witness the displays which aim to enhance the natural beauty of the surroundings.

Cabinet member for business and culture, Cllr Lucille Thompson, said: "The event in 2022 was so well received by residents and visitors, so we want to build on the success of this.

"Not only will the event provide a free activity for families to do over half-term, but we also hope our local hospitality and retail businesses will benefit from increased trade as people come into the city to experience the lights. We hope residents and visitors will enjoy exploring Abbey Gardens as we transition to Spring and welcome the lighter evenings.”

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The final show within the cathedral will be conveyed through artistic interpretations, sound and light enabling visitors to witness volcanoes, be immersed in the sky and experience the power of the oceans, storms and great stories linked to water.

After an open procurement process, Icthus Event Solutions Ltd, who ran Lights in the City in 2022 and organise Winchester’s Christmas lights, has been appointed to lead the way.

Icthus managing director, Christine Cook, said: “Icthus, as a local specialist in lighting displays, is delighted to be working with the council to bring this exciting new event to Winchester, our home city. We hope everyone will enjoy seeing the city lit up on what can be a gloomy time of year.”