Best Light Festivals Around the World to Check Out

A beacon of culture, vibrant colour and creativity, light festivals are all the rage these days. Often featuring
interactive exhibits, light installations, decorative lighting sculptures and even AR installations, many light festivals around the world have special themes that often focus on social commentary through art.

In the mood to catch a stunning light-up or two? Here are some inspiring light festivals to visit in this lifetime.

1. Festival of Lights

For 10 days, Berlin’s Festival of Lights transforms iconic landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate (above) and Berlin Cathedral with colourful washes of lights and 3D mapping on its facade. There will be various creative projections of lights and designs onto building facades at various locations, which can be explored by bus, boat, bike taxi, limousine or horse carriage. The festival also includes various art and music performances, along with photography workshops. The slogan for this year’s festival is “Vision of Our Future”. They will celebrate how we live in the future and how we look forward to unusual and inspiring ideas - all translated through the use of beautiful lights.

When: 7 – 16 October 2022
Where: Berlin, Germany

2. Fête des Lumières

The Fête des Lumières light festival celebrates the historic beginnings of the Virgin Mary. Dating back to 1643, this light festival has since evolved into an outstanding urban event that continues to celebrate the lighting of the city. Download their handy festival app for programme details with an interactive map to guide you through the various highlights and events. Look out for candles placed outside the windows of every house during this festival. You’ll also find 3D mappings and light installations around the city.

When: 8 – 11 December 2022
Where: Lyon, France

3. Haeundae Light Festival

Designed to mimic the waves at sea, the Haeundae Light Festival is truly awe-inspiring. In addition to stunning light archways at Busan’s popular light festival, you’ll find plenty of festive light-ups, decorative statues, lighting displays and more.

When: November – February each year
Where: Gunam-ro Haeundae Square, Haeundae Beach, Busan, South Korea
Other light festivals in South Korea that are worth a visit: Herb Island Light Festival.

4. iLight Singapore

A sustainable light festival, iLight Singapore features an array of light art installations that are designed by Singaporean and international artists. Each one is made with energy-saving lights or eco-friendly materials according to the festival’s theme, which changes yearly. Visitors can also expect plenty of fringe activities – interactive workshops, walking tours and more.

When: 2 – 25 June 2023
Where: Marina Bay, Singapore other light festivals in Singapore that are worth a visit: Singapore Light to Night Festival & Christmas Wonderland at Gardens by the Bay

5. Loy Krathong

During Loy Krathong, special lotus-shaped baskets are lit up and released into the river, as a symbol of letting go. Literally translating to “to float a basket”, this marks the end of the rainy season each year. Visit Tak – about 5 to 7 hours from Bangkok by car or bus – for the most unique krathongs (flower baskets) made from coconut shells and floats. Crowds will gather by the river as they light up their beautifully decorated baskets before releasing them to the water. Also look out for traditional Thai dance shows.

When: 8 November 2022
Where: Tak, Thailand

6. Lumiere Festival

Partly inspired by the Fête des Lumières in Lyon, the Lumiere Festival provides an immersive experience of ground-breaking performance arts in public spaces, with light installations around the city, as transformed by various international artists. Expect reimagined architecture and streets of London, along with light installations on the north and south of river Thames.

When: Biennially in November (Durham) and in January (London)
Where: London and Durham, UK

7. Nabana no Sato

The Nabana no Sato flower park that sits inside Nagashima Resort is home to one of the most famous winter light festivals in Japan. By day, you’ll see thousands of seasonal blooms, and by night, you’ll see thousands of LED lights and other landscape light – there’s a different
theme each year and summer illuminations as well.

When: October 2022 – May 2023
Where: Nabana no Sato Flower Park, Nagashima, Japan
Other light festivals in Japan that are worth a visit: The Great Wisteria Festival, Aomori Nebuta Matsuri, Otaru Snow Light Path Festival, Hanatoro, Osaka Festival of Lights & Kobe Luminarie.

8. Pingxi Lantern Festival

One of the largest light festivals in the world, the Pingxi Lantern Festival sees thousands of floating lanterns set alight into the sky – once treated as an indication that a town is safe. Many stalls will retail with lanterns on which you can write your personalised messages, before it is lit up and sent into the sky collectively from 6:30pm (happens three times an hour until 9.30pm).

When: Every February
Where: Taipei, Taiwan

9. Vivid Sydney

A light festival where art, technology and commerce converge, Vivid Sydney is an annual outdoor light
festival with featured performances from local and international musicians, and public talks from the creative thinkers. As the city transforms into another magical world, you’ll see the Sydney Opera House and others light up in the evening, alongside large-scale illuminations, laser light shows and 3D mapping projections. There will also be a series of immersive light art sculptures on trails through waterside precincts of the Royal Botanic Garden, Darling Harbour and beyond.

When: 26 May – 17 June 2023
Where: Sydney, Australia Other light festivals in Australia that are worth a visit
Other light festivals in Australia that are worth a visit: BrisFest Lights Up