Vancouver November events: Lumière Festival to dazzle city

Lumière Festival to dazzle Vancouver with dozens of light installations

Last year's event included 30 light-based artworks in 11 public spaces, attracting 70,000 attendees.

The 2024 Lumière Festival will showcase light displays at the Vancouver Art Gallery, Coal Harbour, Helmcken Plaza, Robson Street, and Helmcken Plaza.Photo: Lumiere Vancouver/Facebook

A celebration of light returns to brighten Vancouver's streets this fall.

The Lumière Festival returns to the city from Nov. 7 to 10, offering four days of light displays, art and live performances in the downtown core.

Local writer, director and filmmaker Ana Valine curated the festival, which includes a vibrant mix of artists from Europe, the United States and Canada. The immersive experience includes light installations and performances in several locations across the downtown area, including a new one at Coal Harbour.

The Coal Harbour location will feature an art installation called "Borealis, an immersive light and sound art piece by Swiss artist Dan Acher, and Translucens, a holographic projection on a curtain of water with an accompanying soundtrack, by Finnish artist Niko Tiainen."

The four-day community celebration will open with an event on Nov. 7 at šxwƛ̓ ənəq Xwtl’e7énḵ Square (Vancouver Art Gallery North Plaza). It will feature dynamic performances by Ember Arts, Elektric Collective, and other exciting talents.

“Art has the power to inspire, uplift, and bring people together—it reflects our community’s creativity and shared values and forms part of Vancouver’s cultural identity,” says Valine. “Lumière aims to transform the city’s urban landscape into a radiant canvas of light, redefining November as the start of the winter season with inspiration and connection.”

Last year's event included 30 light-based artworks in 11 public spaces, attracting 70,000 attendees to watch live performances by 116 multidisciplinary artists.