Calgary Fun Festival: Night Light
Last Saturday I was gobsmacked by the number of young families enjoying the “Night Light” festival produce by the Victoria Park Business Improvement Area. This was the third year of the festival, but my first time attending. It is programming like this that reminds me that Calgary’s City Centre can be an attractive place to live, play and work.
Night Light 2025 was a three day festival (September 25, 26, 27) that included light installations and/or performances at seven sites all within a few blocks of each other on the east side of the Beltline neighbourhood (formerly called Victoria Park). The sites included historic Central Memorial and Haultain Parks, the funky new food hall at The District at Beltline, The Princeton (formerly a heritage bank building), the funky Hotel Art pool and Pixel Park, as well as the BLVD Bark (an urban dog park).
What caught my attention on social media was the planet installation at Pixel Park. Galactic Atmosphere is an immersive installation feature planets varying in size from 10 to 30 feet in diameter. The glowing orbs each had their own colour and texture, that changed to the beat of throbbing music. I loved how hundreds of people of all ages were posing in front of the orbs to get their picture taken. It reminded me of Chicago’s Millennium Park where thousands of people visit every day to have their photo take with iconic The Bean sculpture by renowned artists Anish Kapoor.
The Bean in Chicago’s Millennium Park is one of the most successful public artworks I have ever encountered in that it is has capture the public’s attention and allows them to have fun with it. The real title of the piece is “Cloud Gate,” but The Bean nickname is way more fun.
For Calgary producing light shows is problematic as in the summer when the weather is nice it doesn’t get dark until 10 pm which is late for a family event to start. And in Fall, Winter and Spring, when it is darker earlier the evening temperatures are most often too cool for an outdoor event. This year Night Light lucked out as the weekend had beautiful warm evenings.
Let me take you on a virtual tour of this year’s Night Lights….
Hundreds of people of all ages were enjoying the orbs as Pixel Plaza.
I have never seen the streets of Victoria Park so animated.
Still of moving image on the back of Memorial Park Library of fish swimming.
Over at Haultain Park there were lots of fun things happening.
Children loved getting photo take on this stage.
The was even a fun dance party happening at Haultain Park.
This couple and their dog decided to bring a blanket and immerse themselves in the animation.
Fairfield Hotel across from Memorial Park Library had rotating images and words projected on their blank west facing wall.
Memorial Park’s tunnel of light was fun.
Photos with the Ladies of Light was fun you all ages.
Thought I’d end with this photo from a shop window in Vic Park. Yes, “Let’s Get Weird” in Victoria Park.
Last Word
Vic Park BIA is dedicated to bringing new energy, colour and creativity back to Calgary’s downtown. I my opinion “Night Light” did just that. Kudos to David Low, Executive Director, Vic Park BIA for 17 years and B!G ART for their collaboration on this fun festival.