Earth's closest neighbour is in Gloucester this autumn 2024, as Gloucester Cathedral hosts 'Mars: War and Peace' from renowned visual artist Luke Jerram.
The astronomical installation is at the cathedral from Tuesday 15 October until Sunday 3 November 2024 and features a seven-metre sculpture of planet Mars suspended from the nave.
Slowly rotating in mid-air, visitors can take in the beauty of every inch of the red planet's surface thanks to incredibly detailed NASA imagery — with Gloucester Cathedral's stunning architecture making for a dramatic backdrop and a bespoke soundtrack featuring seas, deserts and the echoes of armed conflict highlighting the impact of war on our world.
'Mars: War and Peace' is free to see during Gloucester Cathedral's standard opening hours — but visitors looking for a more atmospheric experience have a chance to see the sculpture after dark, too.
There are special ticketed events taking place once the sun has set on Saturday 19, Friday 25, Saturday 26, Wednesday 30, Thursday 31 October, Friday 1 and Saturday 2 November 2024, with the option to add on a candlelit Library tour or a breathtaking Tower tour, too — with details and tickets at gloucestercathedral.org.uk/mars-war-and-peace-at-night.
There's also a variety of activities accompanying the exhibition — including a free Mars Family Quest trail throughout; a 150th anniversary performance of Holst's 'Planets Suite' by Cheltenham Symphony Orchestra on Saturday 12 October 2024; sunrise yoga under Mars on Saturday 19 October; sunset yoga under Mars on Wednesday 16 and 23 October; and a stargazing session on Cathedral Green on Friday 1 November 2024.
Anyone wanting to see 'Mars: War and Peace' during the day can simply turn up to Gloucester Cathedral with no need to pre-book — admission to the cathedral is by donation.
Yoga sessions cost £15 each; tickets for the Holst concert cost from £20 each; and 'after dark' events cost from £7 for adults and £3 for children aged six to 17.
For more information, or to book tickets, visit gloucestercathedral.org.uk.
