More than 320,000 people attended the 10th edition of Spotlight – International Light Festival in Bucharest, setting a new attendance record for the event. Held between October 9 and 11, 2026, the festival transformed Calea Victoriei and several other locations across the Romanian capital into an open-air exhibition of digital art, architectural projections and interactive light installations.
The anniversary edition, organised under the theme PLAYGROUND, featured around 20 light installations and video mapping performances created by 16 artists and artistic collectives from seven countries. Over three evenings, visitors explored a route extending from Splaiul Independenței to the Radisson Blu Hotel, with artworks integrated into some of Bucharest’s most recognisable buildings and public spaces.
The festival combined large-scale architectural projections with immersive installations, illuminated sculptures and interactive exhibits, allowing visitors to experience the city’s historic architecture through contemporary digital art.
Seven days of installation and more than 200 light sources
The production required seven days of technical preparation, involving 20 technicians responsible for installing and operating the equipment across the festival locations. The infrastructure included more than three kilometres of cables and fibre optics, 20 laser video projectors and over 200 light sources, supporting the installations and projection mapping performances throughout the three-day event.
The programme also extended beyond Calea Victoriei, with additional installations at Promenada Mall, Mega Mall and ARCUB – Hanul Gabroveni, bringing digital art to several locations across the Romanian Capital.
Bucharest hosts international light festival meeting for the first time
The anniversary edition also marked Bucharest’s debut as host of the annual meeting of the International Light Festivals Organisation (ILO), which brings together festival directors, artists and professionals working in light-based art from around the world.
Held at ARCUB – Hanul Gabroveni, the meeting provided an opportunity for international representatives to exchange experience on festival production, artistic programming and the use of digital technologies in public spaces.
Alongside the main festival, the second edition of Spotlight Talks took place on October 10 and 11 under the theme Light, Art & the City, featuring presentations and discussions about the role of light festivals in urban development, creative processes behind multimedia installations and the representation of women in light art. Artists and studios from Romania, France and the United Kingdom participated in the programme, alongside members of Bucharest’s creative community.
