Top 10 Most Beautiful Light Festivals Around the World

In the United States, Christmas is celebrated on December 25th each year, often in conjunction with the regular winter holiday, known as the pre-Christmas holiday. The Christmas celebrations in the US are similar to those in other Western countries, yet they also have distinct characteristics. During the Christmas season, cities are often adorned with festive lights to mark the occasion. One of the most iconic Christmas light displays in the US is at Rockefeller Center in New York, where a giant Christmas tree stands with an ice-skating rink in front of it during Christmas and New Year's. This is also a prime time for many travelers to book flights to the US to witness this stunning Christmas scene. The sparkling colors of the Christmas light festivals in the US are simply irresistible. Americans celebrate Christmas in many ways. In the days leading up to Christmas or even the entire week before, people decorate their homes and gardens with lights, Christmas trees, and more. Christmas has many symbols, including Jesus, the nativity scene, and the Three Kings, but nowadays, symbols like Santa Claus, reindeer, and elves are also popular. The most common Christmas symbols in the US include Christmas trees, ornaments, fairy lights, candles, and gifts. Christmas in America is truly a blend of religious celebration and commercial appeal. Many American families host special meals, typically featuring turkey and a variety of holiday foods, and they prepare gifts to exchange with one another. Children often receive numerous gifts from their parents and relatives. This commercialization of Christmas has led to families spending large portions of their income on presents and food. The chill of the Christmas season is accompanied by layers of colorful, glowing lights illuminating the country, with millions of lights of various types. Many Americans prefer to celebrate Christmas outdoors, so streets are beautifully decorated. Truly, the US, with its powerful economy, lives up to its reputation as a world leader.

Australia is not only known for its stunning landscapes and adorable kangaroos, but also for its famous festivals such as the Melbourne International Comedy Festival, the Melbourne Food and Wine Festival, and the Adelaide Fringe Festival. One of the most spectacular and grandly invested events is the Vivid Sydney Festival, Australia’s multi-colored light festival. Every year, at the end of May, the harbor city of Sydney welcomes millions of visitors to this grandest light festival in Australia. Each year, the festival is designed around a different theme, yet it always dazzles with brilliant lights that captivate the audience. Vivid Sydney is one of the largest light, sound, and ideas festivals in the world, featuring stunning outdoor light displays alongside diverse music and cultural programs. Held at the Opera House and other iconic Sydney landmarks, the Opera House is fitted with a lighting system worth millions of dollars, capable of changing colors continuously to create breathtaking art. With over 60 interactive lighting installations, visionary designers and top artists present remarkable digital technology shows, from video games to fashion, cinematic effects, and mobile light art. A highlight of the festival is the mesmerizing light display on the sails of the Sydney Opera House. Vivid Sydney is not just a festival that captivates with its light displays and music; it is also an event that contributes to the economic growth of New South Wales, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each night. Annually, the festival draws around 1.43 million tourists, and the number is expected to increase in the coming years. The grandeur of the festival keeps visitors in awe, and experiencing Vivid Sydney is something everyone should do in their lifetime. If you're planning to study abroad in Australia, attending this event would be an unforgettable experience! Don't miss it next summer.

The Amsterdam Light Festival first debuted in 2012, quickly becoming a unique event for both locals and visitors alike. As stated by the organizers, the festival represents the charm, vitality, and spirit of the city, with light and water serving as key elements that unify and enhance public spaces. During the 40 days of winter, the historic center of Amsterdam transforms into a dazzling exhibition for the Light Festival. The festival spans 50 days under the theme 'City as a Canvas,' where visitors can experience spectacular light displays while cruising through the canals, relaxing at cafes, or exploring museums. If you’re in the Netherlands, make sure to join the light festival in Amsterdam. Visitors can take boat tours through the city center to witness the creativity of artists using light in innovative ways. Amsterdam is beautifully adorned with vibrant colors. Strolling under the bridges along the canals, admiring the illuminated buildings, and being captivated by the city’s charming architecture is a must. Amsterdam’s nighttime beauty is unforgettable. To fully appreciate the festival, a canal cruise is the best way to experience it. Once known as the ‘Red Light District,’ Amsterdam is now a global sensation for its remarkable and unique light designs!

Belgium is renowned for its spectacular light festivals. However, during the Lent season leading up to Easter, many regions and cities host their own unique Carnaval celebrations, showcasing vibrant traditional cultures. The light festival in Belgium features a dazzling spectacle, with LED lights illuminating cathedrals and creating a mesmerizing glow. A remarkable LED church, blending Romanesque and Renaissance architecture, is decorated with seven vibrant colors. Standing 91 meters tall, this church is adorned with 55,000 LED lights. Luminaire De Cagna becomes the centerpiece of the festival, offering over 30 light performances and exhibitions. This grand festival attracts over half a million spectators each year, drawn to the impressive light shows in shopping centers and the captivating LED church. Sculptures made of light and walks beneath glowing arches leave a lasting impression on every visitor.

Sweden is one of the most enchanting destinations in Europe. Here, you can experience magical fairy-tale lights shimmering in every corner, complemented by lively choral performances in every street. The Light Festival is celebrated across the country, from cities to small towns, in churches, and even in homes. One of Sweden's unique traditions is the Alingsås Light Festival held on December 13th. During this festival, children dressed in long white robes with glowing candles in their hair sing beautiful carols. In some Nordic countries, Alingsås is also celebrated. Traditionally, girls and boys form a procession, with the lead girl dressed as Lucia wearing a crown of glowing candles. The crown, often made from lingonberry branches, symbolizes new life during the cold winter. Each girl carries a candle, while the boys wear long white robes and carry star wands, with the children at the back holding small lanterns. As the lights fade and the children's voices fill the air, you can't help but feel moved by the serenity and warmth of this celebration. Along with the Summer Festival, the Lucia Festival (Alingsås Light Festival) is one of Sweden's oldest cultural traditions, deeply connected to the age-old contrasts of darkness and light, cold and warmth. Lucia, a legendary figure, symbolizes the light that comes to brighten the long, cold Swedish winters.

Finland is known for its rich culture and stunning destinations. Visitors to this beautiful country can experience vibrant, uplifting moments as well as peaceful, reflective ones during the country's renowned festivals. Despite the chilly winter weather, the cold doesn't stop many people from venturing outdoors in Helsinki to enjoy the spectacular displays of the annual Lux Light Festival. Held at night, the event is a dazzling showcase of art illuminated by lights. Attendees are advised to dress warmly as the temperatures can drop significantly during the event. The Lux Festival attracts a large number of visitors, with many traveling to Helsinki specifically for this unique celebration. The festival promises a stunning combination of sculptural light installations, with colorful lights weaving through narrow alleys and spilling onto the riverside. The event features performances by many renowned artists both from Finland and abroad.

Join the global celebration at the magnificent York Minster, one of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Europe. York is renowned for its towering cathedral, a stunning example of English Gothic architecture. You can also visit Durham Cathedral, another grand Gothic masterpiece located in the northeast of England. Known not only for its striking design but also for its unique layout, Durham Cathedral is a must-see. The York Light Festival transforms the city's iconic landmarks, including the Clifford's Tower and York Minster, into mesmerizing works of light art using cutting-edge 6D lighting technology. In Durham, the Lumiere Festival brings together music and light technology, creating a spectacular fusion of sound and visual art. The highlight is the breathtaking light show at Durham Cathedral, a historic gem of England. Every year, from November 17 to 20, the Durham Lumiere Festival draws visitors from all over the world, with its innovative light installations. This festival, held at the end of October, is one of the most popular events in the region.

If you're seeking a new adventure, France is an excellent choice. Known for its world-class fashion, France is also hailed as the "City of Light." One of its must-see events is the annual Lyon Light Festival, held from December 8 to 12. Lyon, the second largest city in France after Paris, is renowned for its UNESCO World Heritage-listed architecture. The festival honors the Virgin Mary, who is credited with saving the city from a plague in 1643. The city transforms into a dazzling spectacle during this four-day event. Every building is adorned with twinkling candles, lighting up the entire city. Over the course of four nights, Lyon becomes an open-air theater, with stunning light displays and artistic performances captivating all who visit. The light from the candles around windows blends with the glow of LED lights, while captivating performances illuminate the streets. Laser technology brings Lyon's historic architecture to life, creating a vibrant, surreal masterpiece. The festival's energy and artistry bring the city to life, with four different themed nights narrated through music and light. It's a visual feast you won't want to miss.

When we think of festivals in Japan, we often picture grand events with hundreds of thousands of locals participating in performances or strange, daring rituals. However, Japan also hosts festivals that focus on visual beauty and photography, like the annual Nagoya Light Festival. Held at the Nagashima Amusement Park, this grand light festival spans four months, from December to March. Entrance costs $17. The park is adorned with illuminated lotus flower and rapeseed blossom tunnels, and each year, designers create new and innovative displays to avoid repetition. The festival's light art show features millions of lights that change colors or patterns, controlled by computer systems. The weekend is the busiest time, as many people take the opportunity to visit. If you plan to visit, it's recommended to go on weekdays to avoid crowds, as the light displays are almost identical each day. Visitors should avoid bringing cameras inside the light tunnels and respect the no-photography zones. The Nabana no Sato area, part of the Nagashima hot spring resort, features a 120-meter-long illuminated river, making it the largest underwater light display in Japan. One of the most romantic spots in the festival is the Sea of Cloud area, decorated with white arches and soft lighting, perfect for couples.

One of Singapore's most significant cultural events, the Deepavali festival, also known as the Festival of Lights or Diwali, has its roots in ancient India. It celebrates the return of Lord Rama, his wife, and his brother Lakshmana after a 14-year exile. Today, Deepavali is a major festival celebrated in several countries, including Singapore, attracting millions of visitors with its dazzling light displays. The festival includes performances featuring artists from around the world. During the festival, traditional rituals take place, such as families in South India waking up at dawn to bathe in oil, wearing traditional attire, and heading to temples for prayers. Many families illuminate their homes with oil lamps, decorate doorways with mango leaves and kolam (intricate floor art), and create colorful patterns on the floor to welcome Goddess Lakshmi, the deity of wealth, power, and wisdom. The festival also features events like the Silver Chariot Procession, where devotees carry a silver chariot with the image of the goddess Sri Drowpathai Amman from Sri Mariamman Temple in Chinatown to Little India. Additionally, the Theemithi ceremony, held a week before the chariot procession, involves thousands of men walking barefoot over hot coals as an act of devotion to the goddess, often continuing late into the night.