2nd Shanghai International Light Festival kicks off on Sept 19

english.shanghai.gov.cn| September 19, 2025
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​A first-of-its-kind 3,000-square-meter glasses-free 3D dome projection is tested at the West Bund Dome Art Center on Sept 17, 2025, during a media preview ahead of the light festival's opening on Sept 19. [Photo/thepaper.cn]

The Second Shanghai International Light Festival will illuminate the city with breathtaking light and projection art under this year's theme, Light Up Shanghai, running from Sept 19 to Oct 18.

At the West Bund Dome Art Center, visitors can experience a first-of-its-kind 3,000-square-meter glasses-free 3D dome projection show. With ultra-high-definition visuals and a 360-degree dome structure, the seven-minute spectacle immerses audiences in Shanghai's achievements in artificial intelligence, renewable energy, ecological development, and cultural heritage.

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​A visitor photographs the projection show during a media preview on Sept 17, 2025. [Photo/thepaper.cn]

Along the Xuhui Riverside, 218 outstanding works by light artists from 19 countries and regions will be on display, including six award-winning pieces prominently featured in prime riverside locations.

Interactive installations make the experience even more engaging. Visitors can roll special light tubes across walls to paint vibrant murals or use their smartphone to scan a QR code, shake their device, and send heart-shaped light patterns to giant outdoor bulbs.

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​The "Butterfly Swing" interactive installation is pictured during a media preview on Sept 17, 2025. [Photo/thepaper.cn]

Shanghai is about to glow like never before. Get ready for an unforgettable visual spectacle.

Want to explore more? The festival spans 16 sub-venues across the city, each offering a unique blend of light, art, and interactivity. Check out the following link to plan your night tour.

 

Source: thepaper.cn