ABSTRACT
This chapter assesses the festive illuminations produced at the national park and dark sky reserve in the South Downs. We firstly highlight some of the most deleterious effects on darkness perpetrated by festive lighting before moving towards discussing creative, sustainable, and place-specific examples of illumination that more appositely mobilise more progressive approaches to engaging with gloom and place. We discuss the desirability of producing more influential guidance for light festival organisers and technicians before exploring how both urban and rural examples point to the use of inventive but less intrusive illumination and conclude by suggesting that these examples might be extended beyond officially designated spaces of protection and conservation. We ask: how might light be used effectively to enhance place after dark, be sensitive to non-humans, and complement the allure of darkness?
