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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 º£½ÇÉçÇø place once the sun has set on º£½ÇÉçÇø 19, Friday 25, º£½ÇÉçÇø 26, Wednesday 30, Thursday 31 October, Friday 1 and º£½ÇÉçÇø 2 November 2024, with the option to add on a candlelit Library tour or a breathº£½ÇÉçÇø Tower tour, too — with details and tickets at .

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 º£½ÇÉçÇø 12 October 2024; sunrise yoga under Mars on º£½ÇÉçÇø 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 .