FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

'A/The/- Festival/Celebration of Light(s)' is a common name (or translation) for many disparate events and groups throughout the world. The events range from deeply religious and significant observances to cultural festivals to small local celebrations and displays. Groups with these names are often religious or humanitarian.

Contents

Cultural and Religious Events

Diwali

Chaharshanbe Suri

Loy Krathong

Hanukkah

Fête des lumières

Local Winter Events

Other Events

During the month of September in 1971, a series of marches and rallies by various conservative Christian groups in protest over the perceived moral and spiritual decay prevalent in the United Kingom at that time.

Festival of Light, Photography

Cultural and Religious Events

Diwali

Main articles: Diwali

Also called Deepavali, it literally translates as ''Row of Lights'' and is celebrated across the Indian Subcontinent. Although a religious holiday in Hinduism, Sikhism, and Jainism it is more of a cultural holiday similar to New Years. It is for five days starting in Mid October to Mid November, during which, people light lamps (Diyas), watch fireworks, shop at bazaars, get henna body art, attend parties with family and friends, as well as the specific religious practices of their faith.

Chaharshanbe Suri

Main articles: Chaharshanbe Suri

Also called the Festival of Fire, Festival of Lights, and Red Wednesday
and is considered part of Norouz the Persian New Year. It is largely a secular holiday (much like Norouz) but is holy to Zoroastrian, and Sufism. It takes place on the last Wednesday before the spring equinox (New Years) and is celebrated with fireworks, family gatherings, and bonfires which are jumped over to bring health and good luck in the new year.

Loy Krathong

Main articles: Loy Krathong

A Thailand festival held on the full moon of the Thai lunar calendar (usually in November). The name literally means 'float raft' and comes from the millions of lantern rafts of all sizes put into the local waterways at night. Each is adorned with flowers, incense, candles, and decorations. There are also fireworks displays, and beauty contests.

Hanukkah

Main articles: Hanukkah

Also called Chanukah, The Festival of Lights, and The Festival of Re-dedication. A minor Jewish holiday that takes place over eight days starting from late November to early January. It is celebrated on eight nights by lighting a row of candles called a Menorah at sundown. Families often gather together and exchange gifts, play traditional Jewish games, and eat special Jewish/Hebrew/Yiddish foods like Latkes and deep fried pastries.

Fête des lumières

Main articles: Fête des lumières

The ''Fête des lumières'', or "festival of lights" is a local tradition on the 8th of December each year in Lyon, France, dating back several hundred years. It focuses on gratitude to the virgin Mary, who reportedly saved the town from disaster. Elements of the tradition include lining window sills with candles and light and sound displays throughout the town which include projecting images onto the sides of churches.

Local Winter Events

Many communities put on a show of lights during the Christmas / Hanukkah / Winter Solstice season, often being all inclusive, or (rarely) secular. A night time parade with lighted floats, or a public area with lighted displays are very common themes.
=== Festival of Light - Ashland, OR ===

★ A civic/commerce sponsored event held the day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday), in downtown Ashland, Oregon. The event is marked by the lighting of the downtown holiday lights and displays. Events include lighted parades, storefront displays, and family oriented shows. (Official Website)
=== Holiday Trail of Lights - (See Below), LA, TX ===

★ A multi-city events schedule during the month of December. The participating cities are all within 60 minutes drive of one another and cooperate to synchronize their various light displays, lighted parades, and events for tourists. The following cities currently participate:
:
★ Bossier City, LA
:
★ Jefferson, TX
:
★ Kilgore, TX
:
★ Marshall, TX
:
★ Natchitoches, LA
:
★ Shreveport, LA
:(Official Website)
=== Holiday Festival of Lights - Charleston, SC ===

★ Every year from late November to early January in James Island County Park, Charleston, South Carolina. Features over 600 lighted displays, along a 3 mile drive. Other events include special nights for walking only, and a lighted mini walk/run/jog. (Official Website)
=== The Magnificent Mile Lights Festival - Chicago, IL ===

★ A civic/commerce sponsored event held the day after Thanksgiving (Black Friday), on Chicago's "Magnificent Mile", (North Michigan Avenue). Events include lighted parades, storefront displays, and family oriented shows. (Official Website)
=== The Festival of Light - Chickasha, OK ===

★ Over 140 businesses and clubs sponsor this event, which takes place at the 43 acre Shannon Springs park in Chickasha, Oklahoma. During the festival the park has over 3.5 million lights along more than 8 miles of walkways and opens nightly from around Thanksgiving to the end of December. Concessions, carriage rides, pictures with Santa, and shopping as well as other activities are also available. Official Website
=== The Festival of Lights East Peoria Illinois (FOLEPI) - East Peoria, IL ===

★ Begun in 1984, 'FOLEPI' is a highly organized civic event from late November to December 31st, in East Peoria, Illinois. FOLEPI is the central theme for a series of related events that range from light displays, to laser shows, to lighted night parades, and with various entertainment and charitable events during the month. (Official Website).
=== Winter Festival of Lights - Niagara Falls, ON ===

★ A massive civic and business event from late November to early January in Niagara Falls, Ontario. The event has evolved much since its beginnings during the first electrification projects in Niagara Falls, New York, and Niagara Falls, Ontario. Currently, only the Ontario side officially sponsors the event. (Official Website) (Info Page)
=== The Winter Festival of Lights - Oglebay Park, WV ===

★ Every winter since 1985 in Oglebay Park, Wheeling, West Virginia. It consists of lighted displays on 125 acres along a six mile course along with various other attractions throughout the park. (Official Website).
=== Festival of Northern Lights - Owen Sound, ON ===

★ From mid November to mid January, the city of Owen Sound, Ontario displays over 210 lighted displays along the banks of the Sydenham River in Harrison Park (downtown Owen Sound). (Official Website)
=== The Grotto Christmas Festival of Lights - Portland, OR ===

★ A huge light display every December at The Grotto, a Catholic sanctuary and botanical garden in Portland, Oregon. Besides the light displays, there are nightly concerts, caroling, and other family oriented entertainments. (Official Website)
=== Festival of Lights at the Wild Animal Park - San Diego, CA ===

★ An annual event during the month of December at the San Diego Wild Animal Park, in San Diego, California. There are lighted parades, displays, and other exhibits with themes of lights and holiday spirit. ''(Note: These events are only for paying park visitors.)'' (Official Website)
=== Tanglewood Festival of Lights - Tanglewood Park, NC ===

★ A four mile drive-through display of lights every winter since 1992 in Tanglewood Park, Forsyth County, North Carolina
=== The Cavalcade of Lights Festival - Toronto, ON ===

★ A huge projection light display in downtown Toronto, from November 23rd to December 23rd. There are lighted displays such as a huge LED Christmas tree, and projection shows that run several times per night.

Other Events

=== Festival of Light - Berlin, Germany ===

★ A huge civic and marketing event held during October in the the city of Berlin, Germany. Under the direction of light artist Andreas Boehlke, prominent buildings and landmarks in Berlin are lit,decorated, or temporarily modified with light art. (Official Website)
=== Blackpool Festival of Light - Blackpool, England ===

★ Part of the Blackpool Illuminations, it is held from late August to early November in the seaside resort town of Blackpool, England. Events include hundreds of lighted displays, laser and light shows, and lighted parades. (Official Website)
=== The Atlantic Superstore Festival of Lights - Charlottetown, PEI ===

★ A huge summer concert series on or about Canada Day weekend (July 1st), in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island. In addition to multi-night concerts there is also a huge fireworks display. (Official Website)
=== Kobe Luminarie - Kobe, Japan ===

★ A lighted memorial held in Kobe, Japan every December. It began in 1995 to memorialize the Kobe earthquake which killed over 6000 people that year. (Official Website, Japanese)
=== Peterborough Summer Festival of Lights - Peterborough, ON ===

★ Begun in 1986, it has evolved into a huge summer long concert series from late June to late August in Del Crary Park in downtown Peterborough, Ontario. Each concert is followed by a fireworks display, and past events have featured other lighted displays. (Official Website)
=== HSBC Celebration of Light - Vancouver, BC ===

★ A huge international fireworks and light display show over a two week period from late July to early August in Vancouver, British Columbia. On succeeding nights the contestants perform choreographed pyrotechnics and light shows, with a grand finale of all contestants on the last night. (Official Website)
=== Nationwide Festival of Light - United Kingdom (1971 Once) =

During the month of September in 1971, a series of marches and rallies by various conservative Christian groups in protest over the perceived moral and spiritual decay prevalent in the United Kingom at that time.

Non-Event Meanings

= Festival of Light Australia, Advocacy Group ===

★ A conservative Christian lobbying group in Australia. (Official Website)

Festival of Light, Photography

★ An international collaboration of more than twenty individual photography festivals across the world. (Official Website)