Free Vancouver festival will light up the city with giant art installations this fall
Vancouver is about to get lit up by the returning Lumière Festival, and this year promises to shine bright in celebration!
Lumière’s 12th anniversary will feature spectacular art installations in the city’s West End and downtown core from Thursday, Nov. 13, to Sunday, Nov. 16
Guests will discover illuminated artworks, light-based projections, dynamic performances, and more from an acclaimed lineup of global artists. Best of all, the festivities are free to check out.
View this post on Instagram
- You might also like:
- Free Surrey holiday festival has a 60-foot tree lighting and new outdoor ice skating
- Foo Fighters are coming to Vancouver's BC Place with popular 2000s rock band
- One of Vancouver's largest festivals returns with over 500 artists next month
“In a time when the world can often feel divided, the Lumière Festival is about connection, collaboration, and shared experiences,” said Shelley Hayashi, board president of Lumière Festival, in a statement.
“Our team has been working hard to put together an amazing slate of light-based artworks this year with a variety of immersive and accessible installations.”
The Lumière Festival Vancouver Society established itself as a non-profit society in 2014 to redefine winter as a season of inspiration and to help people come together through light, art, music, and dance.
This year’s theme is “unity” and aims to reflect on the connections that help bring people together across cultures and communities.
Lumière Festival
Different interactive, light-based pieces will be displayed in six locations in and around downtown Vancouver, including the West End, Davie Village, Robson Square, Vancouver Art Gallery, šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square, and Gastown.
Highlights include DecaDance, a ten-sided decagon pavilion with mirrored walls and a spinning LED pole; Memories of Colour, transforming an outdoor plaza into an illuminated coral reef, and Interim Collective, a responsive ambient laser installation.
Lumière Festival
This year’s festival will not feature an official opening ceremony, as organizers are allocating resources to focus on installations and programming.
They added that they are thankful for their returning partners, but that challenges in securing sponsorship, “in light of current macroeconomic conditions,” have led to a scaled-back festival.
“As with many community events, sponsor budgets have changed this year, but we remain deeply committed to keeping Lumière alive and vibrant, ensuring it continues to bring light to the city and its communities during our darkest season,” added festival curator Ana Valine in a statement.
Lumière Festival
So, to brighten up your fall, make sure to visit the installations in November. You can see the full map online.
Lumière Festival 2025
When: Thursday, Nov. 13, to Sunday, Nov. 16, 2025
Where: Various locations in and around downtown Vancouver
Cost: Free
Community Partnership Content