When it comes to travelling, light is something we’re all looking for. Whether it’s a trip to Paris, the ‘City of Lights’, or a holiday somewhere sunny, following the light is usually a good way to ensuring a memorable getaway. But it’s important not to forget that lights aren’t just about the daytime – it’s at night when we really pull out the stops, and some cities have really risen to the challenge, holding light festivals with futuristic LED displays that are guaranteed to blow your mind. But which are the best?
Lucky for you, we’ve rounded up our pick of the best light festivals around the world to get you started.
1. Kobe Luminarie, Japan
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The oldest and most famous of the winter illumination events, the Kobe Luminarie was started back in 1995 in the wake of the Great Hanshin Earthquake, with the aim of symbolising the citizens’ hope to recover from the devastation. Held annually at the beginning of December, the vibrant light displays are designed by both Japanese and Italian artists, drawing in more than three million visitors every year.
If you’re planning on visiting the displays around town, we advise travelling there by train as the roads can become very busy. Get off the train at Motomachi Station and wander your way down the one-way systems while taking in the lights, until you get to Sannomiya station to head home.
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2. Festival of Lights, Germany
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Spanning over ten days every October, Berlin’s Festival of Lights transforms the city’s most iconic and historical monuments and landmarks, including the Brandenburg Gate, the Berlin Cathedral and the Funkturm. With over 70 locations illuminated across the city, you could say the whole city becomes a free art exhibition of local and international artists. Each of the displays tells a story and draws attention to the differing cultures.
If you’d rather stay warm inside, this festival also offers loads of music events as well as guided tours, photography workshops and open houses at selected buildings.
3. Lumiere London, UK
Making our way over to the UK’s capital, the Lumiere Festival takes place across London, in which more than 40 British and international artists light up the city in a dazzling display, reimagining the city’s iconic architecture. Make sure to tick off all the locations and take a trip to all of London’s most famous areas including Kings Cross, the West End, Mayfair and the South Bank, as this year promises to be bigger, bolder and brighter. Whilst planning your evenings, download the helpful event app which will help you find the nearest installations, as well as discovering things to do nearby in between visiting the artworks.
4. Amsterdam Light Festival, Netherlands
This year sees the seventh edition of the Amsterdam Light Festival, taking place from the end of November until January. This annual festival transforms the city centre into one big open-air museum. Every year, the festival issues a worldwide Call for Concepts from local artists and designers, from which a selection is made to be exhibited.
To make sure you see the festival in its best possible light, there are two routes that are recommended: a boat and a walking route. It’s up to you whether you’d prefer to see the exhibition from the water or land but both offer great views.
5. i Light Marina Bay, Singapore
Leading the way as Asia’s biggest sustainable lights festival and one the region’s best light festivals, the i Light Marina Bay unites art and environmental awareness with its collection of displays. i Light is all about putting you in charge of lighting up the bay, with many of the installations involving participation from its viewers. Every year, the festival celebrates 22 visionary installations by local Singaporean and international artists and in 2019, the festival will be in conjunction with the launch of the Singapore Bicentennial commemoration, with the theme being Bridges of Time.
