ILLUMINATE was scheduled to arrive in downtown Salt Lake City in November 2026. Produced by Utah Arts Alliance, the free public festival was designed to celebrate the intersection of art, light, and creative technology.
The festival was intended to transform city streets and public spaces into an immersive canvas for innovation and community connection. Scheduled highlights included a Light Museum featuring local and regional artists, with installations spread throughout Library Square and along 200 East. The event also featured an Artist Night Market, providing a venue for local makers to sell unique pieces and support the local creative economy.
Other planned attractions included projection mapping on the Salt Lake City Public Library and live performances ranging from Taiko drummers to DJs. The festival also featured drone shows in partnership with DroneShow.com, which utilized hundreds of illuminated drones to create synchronized visuals up to 400 feet above the festival grounds.
The festival aimed to support artists, engage families, and reimagine the use of public space for creativity. By centering local artists and accessible programming, the event sought to create opportunities for shared experience across communities.
