TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Light has played a pivotal role in celebrations for centuries. From fireworks marking the New Year, decorative lights adorning homes during Christmas to diyas symbolizing the triumph of good over evil during Diwali. Apart from the famous light festival in India, many countries hold similar festivals.
Light festivals have become a draw for both local and international tourists in various parts of the world. Celebrated throughout the year, below is a list of light festivals worth traveling to as reported by Travel and Leisure Asia.
1. Aomori Nebuta Matsuri
The Aomori Nebuta Matsuri is celebrated annually from August 2 to 7 in the city of Aomori, Japan. More than three million local and international visitors witness a parade of intricately decorated floats shaped as mythical or historical figures. Meanwhile, Haneto dancers sway to the lively music of the Nebuta Bayashi music group. The festival culminates with the Nebuta float being hoisted onto a boat and paraded around Aomori Bay, while fireworks illuminate the night sky.
2. Loi Krathong
Loi Krathong Festival is one of the largest water lantern festivals in Thailand, celebrated on the full moon night of the 12th month in the Thai lunar calendar. During this festival, Thai people release decorated baskets made of banana leaves called krathong, containing lit candles, incense, and small offerings such as coins, into the rivers to honor the water spirits. It signifies the release of negative emotions and welcomes positivity and luck in the upcoming year.
3. Fête des Lumières
The Fête des Lumières festival is an annual light celebration that transforms Lyon, France into a dazzling spectacle. Celebrated every December, artists from around the world illuminate the city's iconic architecture and public spaces with stunning light installations. What started as a simple display of candles in windows has evolved into a four-night party of innovative light installations, projections, light and sound shows, as well as performances throughout the city.
4. Festival of Lights
Every autumn, the city center of Berlin, Germany, transforms into a mesmerizing display of light, sound, and color during the highly anticipated Festival of Lights. The event turns the entire city and its iconic landmarks into illuminated canvases with captivating light and video projections. Thousands of tourists flock to the festival held over eight days in October.
5. Yuan Xiao Jie
Celebrated on the 15th day of the Chinese New Year, Yuan Xiao Jie is one of the most enchanting light, cultural, and traditional festivals. The festival showcases amazing lantern displays, symbolizing various themes, animals, and cultural tales. Streets are adorned with colorful lanterns, often with riddles written on them. During the festival, visitors can enjoy sweet rice balls (Tangyuan), dragon and lion dance performances, as well as fireworks. These lanterns symbolize the release of the past year and welcoming the new year with a positive outlook.
6. Amsterdam Light Festival
Every winter, from late November to mid-January, a light festival illuminates the canals, narrow streets, and buildings of Amsterdam, transforming the city into an open-air art exhibition. It is a winter-themed celebration where artists from across the country and around the world come together to create light installations. These installations are placed on bridges, canals, and city streets, turning the city into a spectacular open-air art show for all.
7. Vivid Sydney Light Festival
The Vivid Sydney Light Festival runs for 23 days, between May and June in Sydney, Australia. It kicks off with the Sydney Opera House illuminated by lights, followed by laser shows, light art sculptures, music performances, 3D projections that sweep across the sky and onto buildings and the iconic bridge.
8. Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival
The Pingxi Sky Lantern Festival originated from releasing lanterns as a way to inform those hiding in the mountains to return to the village. This tradition has now turned into a three-day celebration every year on the 15th day of the first month of the lunar calendar. There are three sessions of lantern release in different venues. The opening session is always at Jingtong Elementary School, the second at Pingxi Junior High School, and the final session at Shifen Sky Lantern Square. The highlight of the festival is the release of giant lanterns into the sky from Shifen Sky Lantern Square.
9. The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival
The Wintrust Magnificent Mile Lights Festival is an annual winter celebration that marks the beginning of the holiday season in Chicago. The festival is held on the Saturday before Thanksgiving Day. It starts with an outdoor light festival at Pioneer Court, where visitors can explore an interactive holiday-themed wonderland. This includes taking photos with Santa Claus, live music, balloon shaping, and many other family-friendly activities. The festival continues with a parade illuminating the grand tree trail that begins on Oak Street and marches down Michigan Avenue. The parade also features iconic Disney characters, floats, music performances, giant balloons, and more.
10. i Light Marina Bay Festival
i Light Singapore is a leading sustainable light art festival in Asia, held at Marina Bay Sands every year between May and June. The festival showcases light art installations by artists from around the world, emphasizing energy-efficient lighting and environmentally friendly materials.
Putri Az Zahra Suherman contributed to this article.
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