LUMINO: Montréal's iconic winter light festival shines brighter than ever
Outdoor Winter Leisure activities, nature and relaxation
Montréal's dazzling winter light festival is back for its 16th edition, transforming downtown into a playground of light, art, and interactive wonder from November 27, 2025 to March 8, 2026.
A free, annual event that runs daily from dusk until 11 p.m., LUMINO has become a quintessential Montréal pastime, drawing visitors from around the world and showcasing the city's commitment to cutting edge public art that meets at the intersection of creativity and technology. This year's edition features more than thirty light installations spread across fifteen locations throughout the Quartier des spectacles and downtown core.
An ever-evolving winter canvas
LUMINO unfolds in three phases throughout the 2025-2026 season. The experience begins in late November with the holiday season launch, highlighted by a public kickoff celebration on December 3. January brings an exciting second wave with the debut of major new artworks, while March offers special programming during spring break.
Interactive art meets winter wonder
This year's program emphasizes participation, with several installations that respond to visitors' presence and movement. In "Wisdom of the Crowd" by Ottomata, located on Sainte-Catherine Street in front of Place des Arts, intelligent light towers respond to people’s movements, creating a collaborative experience where the crowd collectively influences the display.
Also on Sainte-Catherine Street, "Unicode Haïku Extension" by Fred Sapey-Triomphe combines light with poetry, while French studio TILT presents two sculptures called "Anemonia" and "Shadow" that draw inspiration from marine and plant life.
Constellations and contemplations
The festival spreads throughout downtown, with installations in both indoor and outdoor spaces. At the Palais des congrès de Montréal (Montréal convention centre), "Celestia" by KLEIS references the ancient Pleiades constellation, while Jeremy Shantz's "From Now to Infinity" at Centre Eaton de Montréal encourages moments of contemplation.
"Les Voyageurs" by Cédric Le Borgne, features suspended luminous figures that encourage passersby to look skyward. The installation appears in front of five downtown hotels: Honeyrose Hotel Montreal, Fairmont The Queen Elizabeth, DoubleTree by Hilton Montréal, Montréal Marriott Château Champlain, and Hyatt Place Montreal - Downtown.
Several building facades will also feature video projections by young artists Iana Brezeky, Teo Leroo, and Marie-Ève Drolet, adding another layer to the visual experience as you walk through downtown.
New year, new light
Mid-January brings both new installations and a special skating rink experience. "Le coffre à jouets dégivré" by Ottomata and Doki will transform the Esplanade Tranquille ice skating rink into an interactive playground, projecting animated games and toys onto the ice. This installation, created in collaboration with Tourisme Montréal, is a perfect attraction for families and skaters of all ages.
Three major works also debut in January: "Chronoharp" by Amigo & Amigo along the Promenade des Artistes, "Horizon" by Olivier Landreville at Place Ville Marie's esplanade, and "Climat intérieur" by Mirari on Émery Street in the Quartier latin. The last installation is making its world premiere and explores themes of shelter and climate through miniature illuminated houses.
LUMINO continues Montréal's tradition of embracing winter by transforming the snowy darkness into encounters with art and light. Whether you catch it during the bustling holiday period or the quieter winter months, LUMINO is a cheerful way to experience the city and its commitment to creativity year-round.
Sarah Beall
Sarah Beall is a writer, editor, and creative who loves food, fun, and all things arts and culture. Her wanderlust has taken her to such places as São Paulo, Brazil, Seoul, South Korea, London, England, and New York, New York, and yet she’s always happiest playing tourist and living the good life in Montreal, the world-class city she’s called home for over 20 years.