3 Unique Light Festivals Like Vivid Sydney

Every year I struggle to contain my excitement as Vivid Sydney draws near. Like a child waiting for Christmas, I hop around in my room, gearing up for the best time of the year. For me personally, Vivid Sydney symbolises everything that Sydney stands for. It shows how this city I call ‘home’ ties creativity, innovation, and community spirits together. The iconic attractions lighting up the city, drones creating magic in the sky, Vivid cruises floating around on the sparkling waters, and other Vivid sights are pictures of the festival that stays in my mind even after the festival wraps up. Recently I started wondering if other parts of the world get to experience festivals similar to Vivid Sydney. Do they experience the same exhilaration of watching your city transform into a magic wonderland that I get every year standing on one of the Sydney Vivid Cruises?

Apparently, there are several other cities that celebrate light festivals like Vivid Sydney. Here are three light festivals that I think you should check out.

Amsterdam Light Festival

If you find Vivid Sydney fascinating, you should definitely check out this Dutch light festival. Like every other European city, Amsterdam also has been celebrating lights for a long time now. The first edition of this light festival took place in 2012. Several renowned artist’s illuminated installations were planted alongside the River Amstel. It was a success among the tourists. Since then, this winter event has become one of the most spectacular light festivals in the world. Artists, designers, and architects from all around the world come together to create stunning installations and projections that will be displayed along the picturesque canals of Amsterdam. You can explore the lights by foot or ride a bicycle and immerse yourself in the magic.

Lantern Festival in China

You do not want to miss the Shangyuan lantern festival in China! This traditional light festival is a treat to eyes to say the least. It marks the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. Lantern festival is typically celebrated on the 15th day of the first month in the lunar calendar. The Chinese celebrate this festival by lighting and displaying lanterns in every nook and corner. Many cities in China also hold ‘lantern fair’, where magnificent lantern sculptures are showcased. Undoubtedly, the best part of this festival should be the iconic activity of releasing the sky lanterns in the air. It is truly a sight to behold! Millions of lanterns of all colours illuminating the night sky. If you are a fan of Disney movies, this would be your ultimate ‘Tangled’ moment. 

i Light Singapore

iLight Singapore celebrates sustainability. The highlight of this light art festival is that it displays artworks and installations that are energy efficient and environment- friendly. The festival was first launched in 2010 and is held every year in the Marina Bay area. Every edition of Ilight Singapore has a particular theme that influences the selection and curation of the artworks. The festival is not just about lights. It also includes several workshops, talks, performances, guided tours. Head to Singapore to experience a one-of-a-kind intersection of sustainability, creativity, and innovations.

Light festivals are held in different parts of the world. Each light festival is a glimpse to the unique culture of that part of the world. These are also great platforms from around the world to express themselves. It is not just a celebration of pretty lights and interesting installations, but also an opportunity to hold the community spirits high! This blog only lists three such festivals. Many others are being held all around us, waiting to be explored by you and me.