The Bay Area is set to dazzle this week as two major light festivals debut, showcasing breathtaking public art installations that reach heights of up to eight stories. The festivals, Code:ART 2025 in Palo Alto and the Autumn Lights Festival in Oakland, offer unique experiences that blend creativity with community engagement.
Code:ART 2025 Launches in Palo Alto
Running from **October 16 to 25, 2023**, Code:ART 2025 invites visitors to explore a variety of immersive experiences from **6 p.m. to 10 p.m.** daily. The festival features **dynamic projections, immersive environments**, and **responsive sound and light experiences**, making it a highlight of the local cultural calendar. According to the **Palo Alto Public Art Program**, attendees can meet both local and international artists during the festival’s opening days from **October 16 to 18**.
A standout feature of Code:ART 2025 is the **eight-story projection artworks** displayed nightly from **7 p.m. to 10 p.m.** on the façade of **City Hall**, located at **250 Hamilton Ave.** Other attractions include an alley transformed into a movement-activated hall of lights and the innovative “Screamaton,” which combines a photo booth with a rage cage for a unique interactive experience. The festival also includes nightly performances on **King Plaza**, live music, and pop-up concerts across downtown Palo Alto.
For more information about the festival, including artist showcases and performance schedules, visit the festival’s page on Instagram at **instagram.com/publicartpa**.
Autumn Lights Festival in Oakland
Simultaneously, Oakland is hosting the **Autumn Lights Festival**, which runs from **October 16 to 18, 2023**, from **6 p.m. to 11 p.m.** This annual event, now in its **14th year**, features approximately **75 glowing artworks** created by local artists. The festival serves as a fundraiser for the **Friends of the Gardens at Lake Merritt** and takes place at the **Gardens at Lake Merritt**, located at **666 Bellevue Ave.**
The gardens, established in the **1950s**, provide a picturesque backdrop with **seven acres** of lush landscapes, including bonsai and rhododendron groves. Festival-goers can enjoy the serene environment during the day, where it is common to spot robins and hummingbirds. At night, the gardens transform into a vibrant, illuminated wonderland, complete with the rare sight of **albino raccoons**.
Last year’s Autumn Lights Festival featured an array of nature-themed installations, including a towering Mario Bros.-style mushroom and a “Neon Zoo” filled with whimsical creatures. Tickets for the festival are priced at **$32 for adults** and **$15 for children aged 6 to 17**, with all fees included. Tickets can be purchased at **gardensatlakemerritt.org**.
Both festivals not only celebrate artistic expression but also foster community connections, inviting residents and visitors alike to immerse themselves in the creative spirit of the Bay Area.
