The 10 best Festivals of Lights in the world

When choosing a trip, we always look for the special activities of each destination to enjoy its attractions. A traveler’s agenda can never miss days of visits to museums, squares or historical monuments . However, sometimes we miss some nighttime activities that can give a 180 degree turn to our vacations. Meet the 10 best Festivals of Lights in the world and be part of an amazing journey full of color.

At certain times of the year and in different countries, some organizations are in charge of dressing the gala night . Visual shows, full of color and joy, are present to offer the visitor incredible moments. Tourists who have enjoyed these exhibits have described the moments as an experience that cannot be stopped living.

Are you ready for your next night out?

Don’t leave behind the 10 best Light Festivals in the world

In general, the events, where the light is the attraction, take place in the coldest times of the year. For a few hours or days our protagonist is in charge of giving life and color to incredible spaces, while the night gets darker. So long periods of darkness, cold and bad weather are no excuse to stay home . It is actually the perfect time to enjoy a colorful getaway.

1. Festival of Lights Lyon, France

To elegantly open this list of the best Festivals of Lights in the world, let’s start with France. Almost 30 are the years that this celebration has been in the city that lives up to its name. Lyon, its streets and monuments explode in color during the days leading up to Christmas. This celebration has religious origins, since by tradition they thank the Virgin Mary for protecting the French from the plague. That is why years ago the people of Lyon lit their windows with candles, an idea that gave way to these innovative festivals.

francia se llena de color

2. Festival of Lights, Germany

Year after year the city of Berlin becomes the perfect canvas for visual artists. These turn the town into a space where monuments are painted with colors, light and video art. Local and international artists are present to reflect their works to visitors. The fascinating presentations leave an indelible memory in the memory of those who enjoy them. In addition to the light shows, it can also be enjoyed during the days of the music festival and guided tours of the city. Thanks to the boom that this event has had, its organizers have decided to take it on tour to various countries around the world such as New York in recent years.

espectáculo visual en berlín

3. Vivid Sydney, Australia

Once a year the Australian city is filled with music, ideas and color with mind-blowing performances that leave anyone in awe. If you are thinking of taking a tour of the best light festivals in the world in your next few days, you cannot ignore this one. The main attraction is being able to enjoy the visual spectacle by ferry . These travel around the port where you can see the masterpieces of great national and international artists.

Sydney se viste de color

4. Festival of light, Spain

The capital of Tormes in Spain is transformed during the second week of June. This beautiful town, declared a World Heritage Site, merges with the most beautiful artistic expressions of light to make way for the Festival of Lights and Avant-gardes of Salamanca. The most important monuments of the town are the perfect space to project images, where the raw material is light. These samples are put to the test in front of a jury to select the best of each event.

festival de luces y vanguardia en salamanca

5. Las Velitas Festival, Colombia

This Latin American party cannot be left behind in our list of the 10 best Festivals of Lights in the world. And this show is one of the most traditional in that country. Which celebrates in different locations the dogma of the Immaculate Virgin Mary . The Candlelight Festival kicks off the Christmas celebrations; and it is just in the early morning of December 8 when it begins. The windows and entrances of the houses are decorated with colored lanterns, to give life to this beautiful celebration.

festival de las velitas en colombia

6. Floating Lantern Festival, Thailand

This celebration, more than artistic, is spiritual. Thais with their culture and tradition make this festival a rite of good luck and abundance. This magical moment usually takes place in November during the full moon. The streets of Chiang Mai in the North of Tailandian are flooded with lanterns, lanterns and white flags that illuminate the sky. The celebration closes with a flourish with a fireworks display that fills the city with excitement.

festival de las linternas en tailandia

7. Winter Lights Festival, Japan

One of the best Festivals of Lights in the world takes place when winter comes to the Nabana No botanical garden in Japan. This offers an evening that your memory will never forget. This festival devised in 2007 is held annually, attracting millions of visitors every year. Natural beauty is combined with millions of Led lights to enhance the landscapes created by nature, decorated with the ingenuity of man. Each performance of the Japan Winter Festival of Lights is dedicated to a special theme. The celebration takes place during the months of November and March.

Jardin botanico de japon lleno de luz

8. Floating Lantern Festival, United States

This party, more than a celebration, is held to remember loved ones who have already passed away. Especially those soldiers who have lost their lives in wars. It is known that the beginnings of this tradition took place in 1999 in the Kichi Lagoon and then it was transferred to Ala Moana Beach Park to give comfort to the large influx of the public. Over the years, more visitors come to leave a message, in each lit lantern, to their deceased relative. During the day you can also play, cook and enjoy with the family. The celebration has Asian roots and concludes with a Buddhist ceremony.

festival de las linternas flotantes

9. Night of the candles, Holland

During the Festival, the windows of the Town Hall of the famous City of Gouda are illuminated by candlelight. A magical night lights up in the dark to celebrate the holidays. The Tuesday before Christmas the appointment is in the Market Square, where the mayor gives a speech. At the end, thousands of bulbs are lit that decorate the iconic Christmas tree. A large number of people attend this place, not only to live the luminous experience but also to visit the oldest Gothic-style town hall in the Netherlands.

plaza mercado holanda

10. International Festival of Light, Mexico (Filux)

This Festival was created to receive visual artists from the world with a single purpose. The works of art exhibited here speak for themselves with a language of light that astonishes visitors, both from the area and from other locations. A night tour where you can enjoy the light decoration in the architecture of the place is the basis of the Filux’s programming. This event is for entertainment purposes but also the organizing company seeks to create cultural spaces to promote social integration .

festival internacional de luces en méxico

Let yourself be enchanted by the best Festivals of Lights in the world and sign up for the next tour that takes you to them. If so, your next travel story will probably be full of light and color.