Events
Spotlight 2026: The Celebration of Light in Bucharest
The most dramatic and popular new media art event in Romania reaches a milestone anniversary this year! It is for the tenth time that the center of the capital lights up in thousands of colors. Organized by the Bucharest City Hall through ARCUB, the 10th edition of Spotlight – International Light Art Festival takes place between October 9 and 11, 2026, an event that annually attracts over 300,000 visitors to the heart of the city.
The festival made its debut in 2015, when UNESCO celebrated the International Year of Light. Over the years, the event has grown continuously, connecting to the network of the world's most prominent light festivals thanks to international partnerships with events in Berlin and Prague. In previous editions, the spectacle was built around themes such as celebrating the Centenary, European openness, and highlighting the talent of local artists. Since 2023, the festival has been an official member of the International Light Festivals Organisation (ILO), a recognition that has further elevated the prestige of the Bucharest event.
This year's anniversary edition is titled PLAYGROUND and transforms the streets into a massive space for digital experiences, where art, cutting-edge technology, and urban architecture intersect. Over the three days of the festival, locals and tourists can discover familiar spots in the city center in a whole new light, accompanied at every step by interactive installations, light sculptures, and video mapping projections on iconic buildings.
The festival route expands significantly this year compared to previous editions, offering a larger area for strolling and exploration. The central point of the event remains Calea Victoriei, along the section between the Radisson Blu Hotel and the intersection with Splaiul Independenței, but activities also extend to the ARCUB – Hanul Gabroveni venue, as well as partner spaces at Mega Mall and Promenada Mall.
(Source: The Woman Magazine)
The PLAYGROUND Concept and Program
This year's theme, PLAYGROUND, invites the public to interact directly with the urban space. The idea behind the concept is for the city's familiar places and buildings to transform through optical games, dynamic lights, and projections, becoming a true testing ground. Visitors are not mere spectators; they become an active part of the show, as the lights react to their movements and presence, completely changing the perception of urban space.
The artistic curator of the festival is Dorel Naste, founder and creative director of Mindscape Studio, recognized as one of the pioneers of video mapping and interactive design in Romania. With extensive international experience and a distinctive artistic vision, he has put together an extremely diverse program featuring 17 renowned artists and studios from 7 countries – Switzerland, France, Australia, Italy, Austria, the United Kingdom, and Romania. They will bring 19 unique works to the public.
The program for the 10th edition of Spotlight is built around two main artistic directions, which can be explored on foot along Calea Victoriei. Visitors can enjoy 6 monumental video mapping shows where the facades of iconic buildings turn into giant digital canvases. The Odeon Theatre, the Telephone Palace, Novotel Hotel, the National Military Circle, Corinthia Grand Hotel du Boulevard, and the National Museum of Art of Romania come to life through colorful light games and fluid shapes projected onto their walls.
(Source: Visit Bucharest)
Detailed Program and Useful Information
The Spotlight Light Festival is open to all visitors, and admission is completely free. The program, offering unforgettable experiences, is designed for the evening hours. The full event schedule, the list of installations, and details about participating artists can be consulted on the official website spotlightfestival.ro.
On Friday, October 9, starting at 17:00, the official opening of the festival takes place on Calea Victoriei, the moment when light installations and video mapping shows come alive along the entire route.
On Saturday, October 10, the light walk continues from 17:00 on Calea Victoriei. During the day, the ARCUB – Hanul Gabroveni venue hosts the ILO (International Light Festivals Organisation) Annual General Meeting, as well as the Spotlight Talks conference series themed "Light, Art & the City".
On Sunday, October 11, starting at 17:00, the installations and projections can be admired once again, while Spotlight Talks sessions continue at ARCUB, and the evening concludes festively on Calea Victoriei.
Daytime Activities and Attractions in Bucharest
Before the festival lights switch on at dusk, Bucharest offers plenty of leisure options throughout the day as well. Very close to the festival route lies the Old Town (Centrul Vechi), with its charming pedestrian streets, welcoming terraces, and historic buildings—the perfect place to start the day with a delicious breakfast or coffee. For history and architecture enthusiasts, a visit to the Palace of the Parliament—one of the largest administrative buildings in the world—is an impressive experience, while the Romanian Athenaeum, with its splendid concert hall, sits directly along the route on Calea Victoriei.
Art lovers can spend the day exploring the impressive collections of Romanian and European art at the National Museum of Art of Romania (MNAR), a building that transforms into one of the festival's main stages by night. Those who prefer a nature walk can relax along the shaded alleys of Cișmigiu Park. Additionally, for an outdoor cultural experience, the "Dimitrie Gusti" National Village Museum, located near Herăstrău Park, offers a fascinating look into traditional Romanian folk architecture. For shopping and urban relaxation, the festival's partner locations, Promenada Mall and Mega Mall, await you for an enjoyable afternoon.
Book Your Stay on stayhere.ro!
If you don't want to miss the unforgettable spectacle of the 10th edition of the Spotlight Festival, now is the ideal time to plan your trip to Bucharest. Numerous excellent accommodation options are available in the city center and near Calea Victoriei. Head over to stayhere.ro, choose the accommodation that suits you best, and book simply, quickly, and securely to fully enjoy this weekend dedicated to the art of light!
