Giant glowing Sun installation ‘Helios’ lands in Manchester’s Victoria Baths

Now available to visit, the huge NASA-inspired Sun installation has arrived at Manchester’s Victoria Baths, with a range of events, and viewing tickets starting from just £3

Date published: 19th Mar 2026

Manchester's Victoria Baths are now lit up by the warmth of its very own sun! Luke Jerram’s latest installation, Helios, is now open, running from 17th March to 6th April 2026, and transforming the stunning historic space into an immersive solar experience like no other.

The installation centres around a 7-metre-wide glowing Sun, created using high-resolution imagery from NASA’s Solar Dynamics Observatory to recreate the Sun’s surface, including solar flares and sunspots, bringing the surface of our nearest star into striking, up-close detail.

Helios at Victoria Baths is now open and running until the 6th April, grab tickets to view the installation, or attend the special events - HERE 

Blending art, science and sound, Helios pairs its detailed visuals with a custom ambient soundscape from Duncan Speakman and Sarah Anderson, designed to mimic the rhythmic energy of solar activity, all set against the tiled pool backdrop and stained glass of one of Manchester’s most iconic buildings.

Alongside general daytime and evening sessions, the programme also features a run of special events, including Kantos x Helios (19th March, 6pm), where a choir combines with the installation for a night of song and light; Daniel Avery (DJ) w/ Aletha x Helios (21st March, 8:30pm): An atmospheric set from techno auteur Daniel Avery beneath the sculpture; and Sound Bath x Helios (26th March, 7:30pm), a relaxing immersion under the light of the Sun.

Tickets for standard entry start at just £3, with bookable time slots running throughout the day and into the evening, making it one of the most accessible cultural experiences in Manchester this spring, fit for a family day out or a moment of quiet reflection. Head to their website to book now!

DANIEL AVERY (DJ) with Aletha x HELIOS x VICTORIA BATHS

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