November 7th – 10th
5:00 PM to 9:30 PM
Celebrating 11 Years and Still Glowing Strong
This year, Lumière Festival will showcase a variety of artists and their works of art, including international artists from Switzerland, Finland and Spain. The interactive, light-based pieces will be displayed in more than 11 locations across downtown Vancouver, the West End, Yaletown, and Gastown neighbourhoods.
Download the 2024 Program Here
Lumiere On Instagram
✨ A huge thank you to the incredible performers and DJs who brought vibrant energy, music, and creativity to #LumiereYVR! ✨
Ember Arts Society captivated us with their mesmerizing fire shows, Alma Bitches and Friends brought bold fashion to life through unforgettable drag, Secret Lantern Society invited the community to shine with hands-on lantern-making, and Elektric Collective’s spectacular high-end LED props and aerial displays—your talents lit up our city! 💃
Special thanks to our DJs! Soluna Productions brought amazing DJs to ‘The Portal’ and ‘PIN’D’, Ruby Singh filled ‘Bardo’ with soulful beats, and DJ Schnüdlbug brought the groove to ‘Just Dance’.
Your talent made this a true celebration of music, art, and light! 🌟🌃
📷: @davidgearyphoto
💡: Alma Btiches and Friends - @the.alma.be
Ember Arts Fire Dance - @emberartsfire
Elektric Collective - @elektriccollective
Dj Thom Thumb - @soluna_productions / @djthomthumb
#vancouver #vancouvercanada #vancity #vancouverbc #yvrlife
A huge thank you to Neil Manchon, the visionary behind Tower of Radiance and Radiant Contours on Robson Street for #LumiereYVR! 💫
Your artwork truly transformed the space, filling it with light, joy, and inspiration for all who visited. You made this year’s festival unforgettable! 🌟💙
📷: @davidgearyphoto
💡: Tower of Radiance by @neilmanchon
Radiant Contours by @neilmanchon
#vancouver #vancouvercanada #vancity #vancouverbc #yvrlife #WeAmaze
Grateful for the amazing artists who transformed @iyaletown into a luminous wonderland for #LumiereYVR! 🌌 Your work brought so many people into the neighbourhood to celebrate light and art. Can’t wait to see what’s in store next year!
💡: Vortex Incadescent by @scenocosme
💡: Urban Bloom by @thewilder.experience
💡: PIN’D: A Journey Through The Elements by @soluna_productions
💡: Kryophone by @scenocosme
💡: Entropy by @ilya.chat
📷: @davidgearyphoto
#vancouver #vancouvercanada #vancity #veryvancouver #yvr
✨ Harbour Green will be glowing a little longer! ✨
Missed the magic of Borealis by Dan Acher or Translucens by Niko Tiainen during Lumiere? Now’s your chance! These two captivating installations will continue to light up Harbour Green until Nov. 16, filling the night with art and wonder. 🌌
Catch Translucens from 5 to 9:30 p.m., and experience Borealis from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. 🌃
✨ Only on until Nov. 16 — don’t miss it! ✨
📸: @davidgearyphoto
💡: @dan_acher - Borealis
@tiainen.xyz - Translucens
The lights may be off, but our gratitude for the talented artists who lit up @westendbia during #LumiereYVR shines on! 🌟 Thank you for transforming the neighbourhood with your incredible works, creating unforgettable moments of art and wonder.
💡: Just Dance by @johnmutter
💡: Drip by @foxlightlabs
💡: Waves by @juanfuentestudio
💡: Luminous Hive by @_willdonaldson_
💡: Lamina by @foxlightlabs
💡: Puffy Portal by @maddlesmade
💡: Sweet Ride by TheEgg Arts Society
💡: A Mixed Reality Parade by @_ygstudio
💡: 5 Senses, 4 Elements by @eastsideartssociety
💡: Lantern Making by @secretlanternsociety
📷: @davidgearyphoto
#vancouver #vancouvercanada #vancity #vancouverbc #yvrlife
Thank you to the talented duo ZEM, Kristyna Balaban and Adam Široký, for bringing Tree Love to life in Gastown! This mesmerizing piece celebrates our natural world, casting an enchanting glow on the streets and inviting us to reflect on the beauty of our surroundings. 🌿✨
Your work truly brought love and light to Gastown —thank you for sharing your creativity with Vancouver! Did you get a chance to hug the tree and see it light up?
📷: @davidgearyphoto
💡: Tree Love by @zem.vision
#vancouver #vancouvercanada #vancity #vancouverbc #yvrlife
Huge shoutout to the amazing artists who filled @downtownvan with light and wonder at this year’s #LumiereYVR! 🌟✨ Each piece brought new life to the streets, sparking joy and creativity across our community. Thank you for sharing your incredible visions with us!
💡: Bardo by @move37xr
💡: Kinetic Perspective by @juanfuentestudio
💡: Parasol by @tangibleint
💡: Canopy by @tangibleint
💡: The Portal by @soluna_productions
💡: Borealis by @dan_acher
💡: Translucens by @tiainen.xyz
💡: Dichroic Vancouver by Bill Pechet
📷: @davidgearyphoto
#vancouver #vancouvercanada #vancity #vancouverbc #yvrlife
🚨 Giveaway Time! 🚨
Special thanks to our sponsor the Consulate General of Switzerland for their support this year. They’re giving away 5 iconic Swiss Army Knives by Victorinox! 🇨🇭✨
Want to win? Here’s how:
1️⃣Follow @swisscg_vancouver, or @SwissConsulateVancouver on Facebook.
2️⃣Drop a comment below if you checked out @dan_acher’s stunning Borealis installation in Coal Harbour! What did you think of it?
📅 Giveaway ends Nov. 17 at 11:59 PM! Winners will be contacted by DM. Don’t miss your chance to carry a piece of Swiss craftsmanship with you. Good luck! 🎉
This contest is for 19+ only and is in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Instagram.
Thank you, Vancouver, for the unforgettable nights of light, music, and art at #LumiereYVR! 🌟✨ We’re beyond grateful for the artists, performers, and all of YOU who brought this celebration to life.
A special thank you to Alejandro Samper and the amazing Soluna Productions team! With The Portal and PIN’D installations—and their incredible DJs—they infused each night with boundless energy and creativity.
Here’s to lighting up the city together and making this last night one to remember! 💙🌌
📸: @davidgearyphoto
💡: @soluna_productions - The Portal
#vancouver #vancouvercanada #vancity #veryvancouver #yvr
🌟 And that’s a wrap on the 11th #LumiereYVR Festival!
Over four unforgettable nights, Vancouver came together to celebrate light, art, and community in a way only this city can. A huge thank you to the incredibly talented artists, passionate performers, supportive sponsors, and everyone who helped bring this event to life. Your creativity and commitment truly lit up downtown and created lasting memories.
To the people of Vancouver—thank you for joining us and making it magical! Here’s to more brilliant moments together in 2025! 💫
📸: @davidgearyphoto
#vancouver #vancouvercanada #vancity #vancouverbc #yvrlife #WeAmaze
It’s the final night of #LumiereYVR! 🌟 Don’t miss your last chance to immerse yourself in Vancouver’s vibrant light art and performances. Be sure to check out the Lantern Making Workshop at the West End Community Centre from 6 PM - 9 PM (until supplies last). 🏮
Also, explore these other locations across the city:
📍 Vancouver Art Gallery: “Bardo” & “Kinetic Perspective”
📍 Harbour Green Park: “Borealis” & “Translucens”
📍 Jim Deva Plaza: “Luminous Hive”, “Puffy Portal”, “drip”, “Lamina” & “Just Dance”
📍 Helmecken Plaza: “Urban Bloom” & “Pin’D”
📍 Bill Curtis Square: “Moving Lights”, “Kryophone”, “Vortex Incandescent” & “Roving Projection”
📍 Gastown: “Tree Love”
📍 Robson Street: “Towers of Radiance” & “Radiant Contours”
📍 Davie Plaza: “Waves”
Discover more via the link in bio! ✨
📸: @davidgearyphoto
💡: Kai ‘Ilya’ Wong - Entropy
@thewilder.experience - Urban Bloom
@scenocosme - Vortex Incadescent
@soluna_productions - PIN’D
#LumiereYVR continues to light up Vancouver with over 30 unique installations and interactive art displays! 🌈🎨
A special thank you to Alma Bitches and Friends for the vibrant Drag Fashion Show and to Ember Arts Society for their breathtaking fire performances—your artistry brought unforgettable energy to the night! ✨
Celebrate with us as we close out the festival tonight across downtown’s most iconic spots. Last chance to bring your friends and experience all there is to see! 🌟
📸: @davidgearyphoto
Opening Ceremonies
šxwƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square
November 7th at 6:00 pm
Travis Angus
Indigenous welcome and song.
Elektric Collective
VAN ART GALLERY – šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square Opening Ceremonies Thursday, Nov 7 @ 6:00pm
YALETOWN – Thursday, Nov 7th at 8:00 and 8:45 pm (15 min performances)
JIM DEVA PLAZA – Friday, Nov 8th at 6:00, 7:00, 8:00, 9:00 (15 min performances)
Elektric Collective is a dynamic Vancouver-based performance group specializing in flow and circus acts enhanced with high-end LED props and aerial apparatuses. Their team brings together a wide range of talents, using custom-made, futuristic costumes that push the boundaries of light technology. In their performance Soul Star, an otherworldly vehicle of ascension, known as a Merkaba, sends luminous signals across dimensions, symbolizing the power of unity and healing. The piece captivates audiences with its celestial energy and interactive light display.
Alma Bitches and Friends
Opening Ceremonies and Jim Deva Plaza
Attending in their Elemental drag fashions.
ROVING PROJECTION CART (Kai Wong)
2 Roving Sets: Opening Ceremonies and Yaletown.
Kai Wong presents the Roving Projection Cart, a captivating work that explores the dynamic interplay between fire and water. Utilizing hand-drawn animations and footage of natural disasters, this immersive projection illustrates how these elements influence each other, showcasing their unpredictability and destructiveness. A queer interdisciplinary artist and fifth-year student at the University of British Columbia specializing in projection and lighting design, Kai is passionate about creating interactive experiences that connect performers, artwork, and audiences.
Harbour Green
1199 W Cordova Street
Translucens
Translucens
Borealis
Borealis
BOREALIS (Dan Acher)
5:30 PM – 9:30 PM
Borealis is both a work of art and a technological performance. Beams of light travel through particle clouds to create the illusion and while we can harness the technology, the outcome is beyond our control. Variations in wind, humidity and temperature make Borealis an ever-changing installation – it’s always unique. The installation is an immersive light and sound experience with a custom score by French composer Guillaume Desbois. It has mesmerized audiences in over 40 cities across Europe, Australia, Asia and the US. Dan Acher is the founder of Happy City Lab and an Ashoka Fellow based in Geneva, Switzerland. Dan uses cities as playgrounds in which citizens of all backgrounds can connect and engage with the key issues of our time, both individually and collectively. His large-scale installations are designed to evoke awe and communal introspection.
Translucens (Niko Tiainen)
TRANSLUCENS is a holographic projection on a curtain of water accompanied by a stereo sound design. Finnish artist Niko Tiainen draws inspiration from the Latin word translucens (meaning translucent) to create a piece that explores the intersection of light and biological forms. Through a blend of visuals, he applies the Kuleshov effect, allowing the audience to construct the narrative in their minds. This technique creates a story that resembles the cinematic and colourful structures of REM dreams.
NIKO TIAINEN is a Finnish artist who specialises in outdoor mapping and video projections as well as light and sound installations. He is trained in classical music, composition and design. His installations are based on conceptual ideas and abstract material processes that combine the structure and techniques of classical music.
šxʷƛ̓ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square
North Plaza
750 Hornby Street
Kinetic Perspective (Juan Fuentes Studio)
Inspired by Optical Art illusions of the 1960s, Kinetic Perspective by Juan Fuentes creates an immersive geometric experience. The artwork features sixteen spinning illusions, each made up of two circles that create a vanishing point at the viewer’s eye level. Visitors are encouraged to interact with the piece by moving around to reveal hidden geometries and patterns. Juan Fuentes, a multidisciplinary artist, merges his background in architecture, lighting, and digital manufacturing to explore perception and geometry in his work. He has exhibited worldwide and received accolades such as the 40 under 40 lighting designer award.
Bardo (MOVE37XR Collective)
Bardo is an interactive installation by Vancouver’s MOVE37XR Collective, reflecting on the parallels between Earth’s water cycle and human life cycles. Drawing from Buddhist concepts, participants’ bodies are transformed into rain, rivers, and mist, symbolizing childhood, adulthood, and the return to the bardo, respectively. The installation incorporates technology and ancient wisdom, blending immersive visuals with a soundscape by Ruby Singh. MOVE37XR’s work, founded by John Desnoyers-Stewart and Pravin Pillay, combines art and emerging media to spark deep connections and transformative experiences.
EMBER ARTS
3 Roving Sets: Opening Ceremony Nov 7th at 6:00pm – Nov 8th at 7:00 and 8:00pm – Nov 9th at 7:00 and 8:00pm
The Ember Arts Fire Society is a Vancouver-based nonprofit dedicated to showcasing fire and flow dance through engaging community performances, learning opportunities, and large-scale fire shows. Their members bring diverse skills from dance, martial arts, and circus arts, creating dynamic and safe performances. They have lit up numerous festivals and events, including Lumière YVR, Vancouver Pride, and Burning Man’s Fire Conclave.
Lot 19
855 West Hastings Street
THE PORTAL (Alejandro Samper)
Soluna Productions
The Portal immerses visitors in the four elements—earth, water, air, and fire—through vivid projections and real-time interactive elements. Using a combination of motion capture and a tactile control board, participants can manipulate the dynamic visuals. Alejandro Samper, founder of Soluna Productions, merges mechanical engineering with visual storytelling to create engaging, sensory-rich installations. His work emphasizes sustainability by repurposing materials from past projects, and he aims to foster a deeper appreciation of nature through the intersection of technology and art.
Robson Street
1091 Robson Street
TOWERS OF RADIANCE & RADIANT CONTOURS (Neil Manchon)
Towers of Radiance is a towering light installation consisting of three 7-foot-tall structures embedded with 600 RGB LEDs, drawing inspiration from the geometry of a tetrahedron. Originally exhibited in 2016, the current version (V4) showcases advancements in design and technology.
Radiant Contours, another of Neil Manchon’s works, celebrates the breathtaking topography of British Columbia, offering an illuminated, immersive experience that highlights the natural beauty of the Sea-to-Sky Corridor and Vancouver Island. Manchon, an industrial designer and spatial sculptor, creates interactive works that bridge the worlds of design, technology, and nature.
Gastown
Maple Tree Square
#8 Water Street
TREE LOVE (ZEM Collective)
Tree Love is an interactive installation that illuminates the invisible connection between humans and nature. When participants embrace the living tree, the light display responds joyfully, transforming the tree into a canvas of emotions. This fusion of technology and nature highlights the delicate balance we must preserve. ZEM Collective, comprised of Kristyna Balaban and Adam Široký, specializes in audio-visual installations and performances, creating immersive experiences that encourage viewers to reflect on their relationship with the natural world.
Helmcken Plaza
338 Helmcken Street
URBAN BLOOM (Melanie Lazelle)
Urban Bloom presents a whimsical naturescape filled with giant glowing flowers, each representing a different species and its story. The installation invites viewers to bask in the colorful light while learning about local endangered wildflowers and their vital pollinators. Melanie Lazelle is an experience creator and project manager dedicated to merging education, creativity, and environmental awareness through her art. As the founder of The Wilder, she designs engaging experiences and installations that connect people to their surroundings.
PIN’D: A Journey Through the Elements (Alejandro Samper)
PIN’D is an interactive pinboard and DJ booth that transforms tactile actions into vibrant visuals. As participants press the pins, stunning images emerge through projection mapping, representing the elements—Fire, Water, Air, and Earth—while responding to the music. Alejandro Samper specializes in large-scale immersive installations, merging mechanical engineering with visual storytelling. As the founder of Soluna Productions, he creates sensory-rich experiences that invite audience participation and explore the connection between technology, art, and nature.
Bill Curtis Square
1198 Mainland Street
VORTEX INCANDESCENT & KRYOPHONE (Scenocosme)
Gregory Lasserre & Anaïs met den Ancxt
VORTEX INCANDESCENT: is an interactive light and sound installation that creates a gathering space around a symbolic fireplace. Inspired by the warmth of fire, the installation invites the public to engage with the piece, causing the light and sound to evolve based on their proximity. Scenocosme, the artistic duo of Gregory Lasserre and Anaïs met den Ancxt, explores the intersection of art and technology, crafting immersive experiences that evoke emotional connections and foster a sense of community.
KRYOPHONE: is an interactive sculpture made of ice that responds to electrostatic touch, producing evolving sounds and lights. As participants interact with the sculpture, their heat transforms its shape, inviting contemplation on our relationship with the environment. This icosahedron-shaped installation symbolizes water and evokes the fragility of nature. Scenocosme blends various artistic expressions, using technology to create sensitive, poetic experiences that reflect the interplay between the living world and digital art.
MOVING LIGHT INSTALLATION (Samaya Aldaker)
Samaya Aldaker is a lighting and projection designer dedicated to creating immersive experiences across various artistic performances. Her debut installation at the 2024 Lumiere Festival, themed Elements, integrates moving lights with diverse materials to offer a fresh interpretation of the concept through cultural and environmental perspectives. Inspired by her personal experiences, Samaya’s work plays with mixed media, lights, and audience interaction, aiming to craft thought-provoking and playful experiences that resonate deeply.
Jim Deva Plaza
1200 Bute Street
JUST DANCE (John Mutter)
John Mutter is an interactive media artist who seamlessly blends dance and technology in his installation “Just เต้น (Just Dance).” This interactive piece encourages audience participation by allowing movements to control 3D models within audio-reactive environments. Evolving from its successful premiere, “Just Dance 2.0” takes on the theme of water and reflection, promising an enhanced experience that fosters emotional expression and community engagement.
DRIP (Justin Kittell)
Foxlight Labs
Foxlight Labs, a collective of light artists and scientists led by Justin Kittell, presents ‘drip,’ an interactive turbulence visualizer that captures the chaos of nature using light and smoke. Their work pushes the boundaries of perception and invites participants to engage with the natural world in a striking and memorable format, evoking wonder and childlike enthusiasm through interactive light art.
LAMINA (James Sartor)
James Sartor, a member of Foxlight Labs, showcases “Lamina,” a captivating collection of larger-than-life glowing leaves. Each leaf emits light from its veins, symbolizing necessary change and the beauty of transformation. This piece invites viewers to reflect on the contrast between traditional plant functions and the illuminating qualities of these artistic representations.
LUMINOUS HIVE (Will Donaldson)
TheEgg Collective
Will Donaldson is a multi-disciplinary artist exploring the intersection of technology and nature. His installation, “Luminous Hive,” features 91 frosted white hemispherical domes arranged in a hexagonal pattern reminiscent of a beehive. The domes respond to audience movements, creating a dynamic interplay of light and movement that enchants and engages viewers.
PUFFY PORTAL (Madeleine Chaffee)
TheEgg Collective
Madeleine Chaffee, a multi-disciplinary designer, presents the “Puffy Portal,” an inflatable archway crafted from upcycled textiles. This playful installation features a smooth surface of diffused light and invites exploration and interaction. Visitors can enjoy its vibrant lighting animations at night, creating a mesmerizing and welcoming atmosphere.
Alma Bitches and Friends
Attending in their Elemental drag fashions.
Davie Plaza
1800 Davie Street
WAVES (Juan Fuentes Studio)
Juan Fuentes Studio presents an installation inspired by the dynamic beauty of waves. This abstract representation captures the essence of constant movement and variation in shape through subtle lines that evoke the sensation of flowing water. The artwork invites viewers to gradually discover the interplay of curved forms, reflecting on the harmonious dynamics of the ocean.
West End Community Centre
870 Denman Street
A MIXED REALITY PARADE (Young Guns Studio – Students)
A Mixed Reality Parade is an innovative installation created by high school students in Young Guns Studio’s summer intensive architecture program. Utilizing projection mapping, the work transports audiences through 14 distinct stories that blend the natural and artificial worlds. This project celebrates the art of storytelling and highlights the potential for narrative-driven spatial design, reflecting the students’ unique visions and the future of architectural innovation.
5 SENSES, 4 ELEMENTS (East Side Arts Society)
“5 Senses, 4 Elements” delves into the intricate relationship between humanity and the four classical elements: Earth, Water, Fire, and Air. Through contemporary digital media, the installation invites viewers to engage with these elemental forces and explore how they shape our experiences and emotions. The featured works reveal the dynamism of our world, emphasizing a balance between nature and technology while celebrating the interconnectedness of all living things.
“The earth has music for those who listen.”- Scott Cunningham
LANTERN MAKING (Secret Lantern Society)
The Secret Lantern Society fosters community through the art of lantern making, rooted in the celebration of light and the cycles of nature. Their annual Winter Solstice Lantern Festival connects diverse cultural traditions, transforming spectators into participants in a vibrant celebration of the return of the sun. With a mission to create inclusive and ecologically sustainable artistic experiences, the society has engaged over 250,000 participants and numerous artists over its 30-year history, reflecting Vancouver’s rich cultural tapestry.
SATELLITE LOCATIONS
Featured Fixed Art Installations Around Vancouver
DICHROIC VANCOUVER (Bill Pechet)
980 HOWE STREET – HOWE & NELSON
Bill Pechet, a Vancouver-based artist and architect, is renowned for his contributions to public art and urban environments, blending art with architecture. His work explores how public spaces can inspire vibrant cities, and he has received numerous awards for his creative achievements. In Dichroic Vancouver, Bill introduces vibrant, colour-changing glass bands to a downtown building, transforming its facade with hues that shift based on light and weather. This dynamic installation reflects the constant flux of both nature and emotion.
PARASOL (Tangible Interaction)
DUNSMUIR PATIO AT BENTALL CENTRE
Tangible Interaction is a Vancouver art and design studio that creates immersive experiences aimed at fostering connections between people and their surroundings. Their focus is on reawakening a sense of wonder through playful and innovative designs. Parasol consists of towering, nine-foot-tall mushroom-like sculptures with light-filled fins that mimic the structure of a mushroom’s underbelly. The piece invites viewers to pause, engage, and marvel at the natural world reimagined through a modern, interactive lens.
CANOPY (Tangible Interaction)
800 ROBSON SQUARE PLAZA
Canopy is a collaboration between Downtown Van and Tangible Interaction featuring 3,000 programmable lights. The installation is meant to embody the Aurora Borealis and salmon swimming upstream, illuminating Robson Square Plaza in the heart of the city.
Community Partners
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