Waiting for Euroluce 2025: five events for marveling at light

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Mudac, Soleil, Staring at the Sun, Alice Bucknell, 2024-2025

A selection of exhibition events around the world where art, light and sustainability come together

From the Festival of Light in Berlin to Vivid Sydney in Australia, passing through the Glow in Eindhoven or the Winter Light Festival in Reykjavik, in the last 15 years there has been a sunburst of events showcasing light that combine entertainment and spectacle as well as art, design and technological innovation. From northern Europe to Asia, and all the way to the Americas, light is being featured in installations, performances and exhibitions involving the public in immersive experiences with a pop character or pure experimentation. What we see in this selection are representative of different approaches, from the light of the Solar Biennale intended as the ultimate goal towards which to strive for a truly more sustainable design, to the traditional gatherings with thousands of hot lanterns during festivities in Thailand. In anticipation of Euroluce 2025, which this year will see the debut of The Euroluce International Lighting Forum, here are five events to visit this year that embody a combination of art, light and sustainability.

salonemilano, mudac, soleil — Mudac, Soleil, Staring at the Sun, Alice Bucknell, 2024-2025

Solar Biennale

Founded in 2020 by designers Marjan van Aubel, who at Salone 2025 will present the Light for Life Masterclass, and Pauline van Dongen, the Solar Biennale explores the use of solar energy in art and design, in the belief that solar energy is the primary and most human energy that exists. The next edition will open at Mudac in Lausanne, Switzerland, from 19 to 21 March 2025, with international artists invited to create sustainable solar installations. The next edition will open with the exhibition "Soleil·s" which will run until 21 September 2025.

Where: Place de la Gare 17, 1003 Lausanne, Switzerland

salonemilano, daan roosegaarde — Spark, Daan Roosegaarde

Spark

Organic fireworks. Spark was born from the creative mind of Dutch designer Daan Roosegaarde, as a project combining art and technology, exploring the relationship between light, energy and public space. Inspired by fireflies and the desire to reinvent traditional fireworks, Spark is a poetic performance of thousands of biodegradable luminous sparks floating in the air and reacting to human movement, to raise awareness of the responsible use of natural resources. The project debuted in 2018, and the next appointment is at the Breckenridge International Festival of Arts, Colorado, from August 15 to 17, 2025.

Where: Blue River Plaza, 137 S. Main Street, downtown Breckenridge, Colorado, USA

Yi Peng

Lanterns are an ancient and fascinating tradition, a symbol of purification and hope. The Yi Peng Lantern Festival in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, celebrates the full moon with thousands of sky lanterns. Originally a religious ritual, today it has become a very popular global event that attracts up to 10,000 people. The next edition will be held on 5 and 6 November 2025. Tickets are on sale to attend the official ceremonies in front of the pagoda set up at the CAD Cultural Center but there are also many free launch sites available.

Where: CAD Cultural Center Lanna, 35 moo 3 On Klang, Mae On District, Chiang Mai, Thailand

Signal

Devoted to digital culture and the visual arts, this festival in Prague transforms the city into a glowing work of art every October. Founded in 2013, the festival features interactive light installations with local and international artists with the aim of transforming the city into a capital of digital art. The next edition will be held from 9 to 19 October 2025. Curated by Pavel Mrkus, this year’s edition “Ecosystems 03 – Solutions” concludes the three-year curatorial cycle entitled “Ecosystems”.

Where: various locations, Prague, Czech Republic

Fotonica

Active for years on the scene, the Fotonica Festival in Rome is an annual event that explores audiovisual and digital art, with a strong focus on the use of light and technology. Founded in 2004, the festival offers interactive installations, video mapping performances, electronic music and workshops. The Rome event is accompanied by the LPM (Light Performers Meeting) in the desert in Morocco, also organized by Flyer new media. The next edition of Fotonica will be held in mid-December 2025 in various locations in the city with dates yet to be announced.

Where: various locations, Rome