Lumiere in Vancouver's West End

Lumiere is an arts and lights event featuring installations that illuminate Vancouver’s West End in winter. It’s outdoors, free and pretty to see.

The event typically runs for four days in early November. It celebrates its 12th year in 2025.

Lumiere isn’t a Christmas event per se, although it does usually take place just prior to the start of the holiday season. The event does, however, feature Christmas-y lights. There are also performances to enjoy.

Other free places to check out Christmas-y light displays unrelated to Lumiere include Granville Island, West Vancouver’s Dundarave Beach, Burnaby Village and the waterfront at Harrison Hot Springs.

Lumiere Bear and Bird Light Displays — Light Sculptures at English Bay in 2020

Vancouver’s Lumiere Lights and Art

Lumiere is an annual event that showcases illuminated art installations within the City of Vancouver. Each year, large works of art are outdoors around the West End for people to admire and photograph. The event always offers pretty sights to see during dark winter days, and it’s free to check out.

Last year there were displays to see at the following locations:

Jim Deva Plaza at 1200 Bute Street
West End Community Centre at 870 Denman Street
Robson and Thurlow
šxwƛə̓ nəqXwtl’e7énḵ Square (outside the Vancouver Art Gallery)
Davie Plaza at 1800 Davie Street
Lot 19 at 855 West Hastings Street
Helmcken Plaza at 338 Helmcken Street
Bill Curtis Square at 1198 Mainland Street in Yaletown
Maple Tree Square at #8 Water Street in Gastown
Harbour Green Park at 1199 West Cordova Street

Lumiere Festival Entertainment

There were over 75 artists who participated in last year’s Lumiere Festival. They included a series of music performances at the following locations:

šxwƛə̓ nəqXwtl’e7énḵ Square – the Vancouver Art Gallery was home to a performance by Ruby Singh, a sound artist and composer who put together an immersive experience. (November 9th, 7:15 pm to 8:15 pm.)
Jim Deva Plaza – there were nightly sets from DJ Schnüdlbug, who was joined by artist John Mutter to provide interactive visual elements. (Nightly, 5:30 pm, 7:00 pm and 8:30 pm.)
Helmcken Plaza – the plaza was home to PIN’D, an interactive board that responded to both touch and music. There was a rotating schedule of DJs spinning tunes each day of the festival. (Nightly, 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm.)
Lot 19 – similar to PIN’D, Lot 19 was home to The Portal, another highly visual, interactive artist wall that had artistic displays come to life. There were DJs throughout the night here as well. (Nightly, 4:30 pm to 9:30 pm.)