Light the future with us
ILLUMINATE is a free, public festival celebrating the intersection of art, light, and creative technology in the heart of Salt Lake City. Produced by Utah Arts Alliance, the festival transforms city streets and public spaces into an immersive canvas for innovation, imagination, and community connection.
Through large-scale light installations, projection mapping, interactive STEAM experiences, live performances, and drone shows, ILLUMINATE invites people of all ages to experience how art and technology shape the future of our cities, together.
For two nights
Each year, Downtown SLC becomes a walkable, glowing playground of creativity. Visitors wander through illuminated installations, encounter roving performers, engage with hands-on technology, and experience moments of awe that blur the line between science and art.
Festival Highlights
Light Museum
ILLUMINATE’s Light Museum features local and regional artists whose work explores light, technology, and interactive design. Installations are spread throughout Library Square and along 200 East, encouraging visitors to slow down, explore, and experience art in unexpected ways, from mobile art cars to immersive, large-scale installations.
Artist Night Market
The Artist Night Market features local artists and makers working across a variety of mediums. This open-air market offers visitors the chance to shop for one-of-a-kind pieces while directly supporting independent artists and the local creative economy.
Live Music and Performances
Throughout the festival, enjoy live music and performances that activate the streets and complement the visual art. From Taiko drummers and experimental soundscapes to DJs and movement-based performances, ILLUMINATE offers something for every age and interest.
Projection Mapping
Projection mapping transforms everyday architecture into immersive works of art. Using advanced digital tools, artists design projections that wrap buildings pixel by pixel, responding to their shape, texture, and scale.
At ILLUMINATE, the Salt Lake City Public Library becomes a canvas for locally designed projection art, blending storytelling, technology, and place-based creativity into a truly magical experience.
Drone Show (2021-2023)
Enjoy a breathtaking fusion of art and technology. Hundreds of illuminated drones fly in synchronized choreography up to 400 feet above the festival grounds, creating dynamic, story-driven visuals in the night sky.
Drone light shows offer a high-impact visual experience without air or noise pollution. ILLUMINATE proudly partners with DroneShow.com to bring this innovative art form to Salt Lake City. Prime viewing is available throughout the festival footprint on 200 East.
The Drone show will start at 9:45 pm.Â
Supporting Artists. Inspiring Curiosity. Activating Downtown.
ILLUMINATE exists to support artists, engage youth and families, and reimagine how public space can be used for creativity and connection. By centering local artists and accessible programming, the festival creates opportunities for learning, wonder, and shared experience across communities.
Artist APPLICATIONS
Calling all: Installation Art • Light Art • Creative Technology • Performers • Musicians • Makers • Collaborators
On November 21 & 22, The Art Castle will become a new canvas for light, art, technology, music, and imagination. And we’re looking for artists, makers, performers, musicians, tech lovers, and creative minds who want to help us bring it to life.
Music artist Application
Calling all musicians, dj’s, vocalists, and audio artists of all kinds!
Submission deadline: SEPTEMBER 30th 2026
PERFORMANCE ARTIST APPLICATION
Calling all performing arts creators & collaborators!
If you are a busking artist, a dancer, an aerialist, a flow artist, or a group that has some magic to share with the light art & technology community, this is your time to shine.
Submission deadline: SEPTEMBER 30th 2026
ARTIST APPLICATION
Calling all muralists, live painters, installation artists, projection mapping artists & more!
If you are a creator who utilizes light or technology in your artwork and want to share it with the light art & technology community, this is your time to make SLC shine.
Submission deadline: SEPTEMBER 30th 2026
Thank you to our sponsors Who Make illuminate Possible
Help keep illuminate free by becoming a sponsor
Sponsorship Opportunities
Utah Arts Alliance seeks support for ILLUMINATE, an interactive light art and creative technology festival held annually in Downtown Salt Lake City.
As Salt Lake’s technology sector continues to grow, Utah Arts Alliance is committed to showcasing how art and innovation are deeply interconnected. By sponsoring ILLUMINATE, you help:
Support independent artists
Bring accessible, public art to thousands of attendees
Demonstrate leadership in creative technology and community engagement
Sponsors receive marketing benefits, shared media promotion, and unique experiential opportunities to connect with festival audiences, local artists, and Salt Lake City’s creative and technology communities.
For sponsorship opportunities or to learn other ways to support ILLUMINATE, contact: