With winter settling in Copenhagen and the days becoming shorter, the city shines with magnificent light art displays on the occasion of the Copenhagen Light Festival. These installations took place in the month of February creating a lively introduction for spring that was full of art.

Reimagiging a city through lights

Every time Copenhagen is set to take part in a festival, the city undergoes a magical make over when taking part within Light Festival. There are new installations that get placed around the city at familiar places and at new places. In 2025, there are over 50 pieces of art that will be on display from Nørrebro and Vestre Kirkegård through Ørestad, adding to the city centre and Reffen.

Planning your visit to the Copenhagen Light festival

From January 31 to February 22, 2025, the City of Copenhagen will host the Light Festival. The installations are generally activated around five in the afternoon and turned off around ten in the evening, Highlands being the only exception when they might be left on longer. Therefore, it is best if you start exploring the art during the evening.

To ensure you do not miss any of the illuminations, you should be able to find a map from the Copenhagen Light Festival website or on the app.

Hidden Gems

While the Copenhagen Light Festival boasts over 50 stunning light art installations throughout the city, a few truly stand out for their unique concept and captivating execution. Here are some hidden gems you won't want to miss:

1. Mycelium Network by Stevie Thompson, Custom Fibre Optics (UK):

Immerse yourself in the vibrant world beneath our feet at Øens have, Refshalevej. Stevie Thompson's mesmerising "Mycelium Network" uses thousands of sparkling fibre optic strands to depict the vast networks of mycelium. See shrooms simmering these glowingly into transmuting shades and flicker in correspondence to communication with it as they would do in nature. Thompson's deft touch in the creation of uniquely personalized installations often based on his personal things from flora and fauna succeeds in blending the artwork seamlessly with any aspect, making the whole look like a part of the environment.

2. The Wave by Vertigo and Lil Lacy:

Situated at Ofelia Plads, Kvæsthusmolen, this immersive sound and light sculpture brings the essence of waves to life. The artist collective Vertigo, in collaboration with composer Lil Lacy, has crafted a brand new light course synchronized with a captivating soundscape inspired by waves. 

Feel the harmony of sound waves of music and of the city and light waves of the hometown's LEDs creating dynamic experience which is ever-challenging. Urban OW is Vertigo founded in 2010, renowned for its gigantic installations that unite physical and digital elements in being mesmerizing sensorial experiences. Lil Lacy, the Danish-American composer, performs her masterwork exercise with the classical and experimental domains of music.

 

 

This is just the tip of the iceberg found at the Copenhagen Light Festival; there are numerous others, with over 50 installations spread around the city it’s sure to inspire through the creativity and innovation on show.

How to participate in the light festivals in other ways

The best bit about the Copenhagen Light Festival is that it is open to everyone without any charges. As an alternative, many tours and events about the festival can be enjoyed if you want a more hands on experience. This includes guided walking tours and warm drinks with individual head phones and professional comments as part of the experience.

A more active way to witness the illuminations would be to register for the Light Run, which is a 7.7km opening races that lets you run by some of the amazing illuminations of the festival. There are even LED chains that are supplied to the runners to wear! There is also a shorter version known as the Family Light Run which makes for a great day out for children with its pram suitable track.

There are even more ways to enjoy the festival! For example, the Social Beer Walk and the Wine & Walk allow you to savour a beer or wine tasting while you make your way through the festival's light art installations. The festival has also created various routes, including cycling routes, which you can explore independently. These routes can be found in the app.