Tickets are available to book HERE or by calling 01904 557200.

Experience York Minster in a new light this autumn when the cathedral is illuminated with PHOENIX, a brand-new sound and light projection commemorating the 40^th anniversary of the 1984 fire.

On Monday 9 July 1984, a devastating fire destroyed the roof of York Minster’s South Transept and sent shockwaves through York, which reverberated across the world. The story of this fire is not just one of damage caused to one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals, but also a story of bravery, resilience, and determination to rebuild.

Telling the story of that night and its aftermath, PHOENIX will commemorate the bravery, power and ingenuity of those that responded to the fire, celebrating the resilience of York Minster and the people of York through their own words, in the very place where it happened.

Visitors will see lightning strike the cathedral, lead pour down from the roof and the iconic Rose Window crack, before the clean-up operation begins and expert restoration leaves York Minster standing as a symbol of hope in the city once more.

PHOENIX is a major new projection mapping and sound installation by award-winning artists Ross Ashton and Karen Monid which will transform the nave of York Minster. The installation is bespoke, having been specially created to bring the cathedral’s unique architecture and history to life. Ashton and Monid also created ‘Northern Lights’ in 2019 and ‘Platinum and Light’ in 2022, two spectacular installations which attracted tens of thousands of people to the cathedral.

The events will help raise funds for the continuing restoration of the cathedral’s fabric. York Minster is one of the world’s most magnificent cathedrals, but with the current building dating from the 13^th century, it is a fragile masterpiece which needs constant care. As well as its history, York is famed for its media arts, benefitting from UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts designation since 2014. The Minster, which has stood at the heart of the city since 627AD, is a beacon of human creativity where artisans and craftspeople have told stories through the media arts for generations. Phoenix utilises the latest in projection mapping technologies to use our building as a storytelling backdrop in ways our medieval founders could only have dreamt about.

Commemorative badges:

Visitors can pre-order a ‘Restoration Rose’ pin badge when booking tickets and collect their order when they arrive at the event.

The specially created commemorative badges feature one of the winning Blue Peter boss designs, inspired by the cathedral’s iconic Rose Window surviving the flames.

Event times and prices

The events will open on Saturday 19 October and run each evening until Saturday 2 November.

Monday to Saturday, the projection will start at 7pm, with booking slots available every 20 minutes until 9pm. Doors will close at 9.30pm. On Sundays, the projection will start at 6pm, with booking slots available every 20 minutes until 8pm. Doors will close at 8.30pm.

The projection will be shown on a continuous loop throughout the evening. Visitors can stay for as long or as little as they like after their timed entrance slot, and are invited to move location in the Nave and experience the installation from a different perspective.

Tickets cost £7.50 each, or £25 for a family ticket for up to two adults and two children (aged 16 and under). Tickets are available now via this page, or by calling 01904 557200.

Please note that the projection includes flashing lights and loud music in places. The projection will also feature images of the cathedral on fire which some visitors may find distressing, viewer discretion is advised.