As the night fell over Beijing on October 18, a stunning display of lights and shadows began to transform the Chaoyang district into a dazzling dreamscape. The 2024 Beijing Chaoyang International Light Festival officially opened at the outdoor theater near the southern gate of the Olympic Forest Park.
This year’s festival revolves around the theme “Trendy Chaoyang, Night Spectacular,” with a unique focus on “AI Gathering in Chaoyang.” Building on the foundation of the inaugural light festival, this event emphasizes internationalization, technological innovation, and cultural richness. It utilizes light and shadow as a means of expression and art as a reflection, featuring a plethora of installations and nearly 300 cultural and recreational activities. The festival promises a more pronounced theme, vibrant scenes, diverse activities, and varied experiences, all designed to showcase the unique charm of Chaoyang and its vibrant night economy.
We spoke with festival organizers about their vision. “The Beijing Chaoyang International Light Festival serves as a key platform for building a ‘City That Never Sleeps,’ blending beautiful lights, rich interactions, and dynamic artistic expressions to seamlessly marry culture with technology and tradition with modernity,” a representative explained.
The evening kicked off with an impressive laser show, as the festival’s promotional video, “Chaoyang Shines,” illuminated the city, highlighting Chaoyang’s energy and openness as a major consumption center. Traditional music performance “Hundred Birds Paying Homage to the Phoenix” connected cultural melodies with modern visuals, showcasing the artistic allure of this dynamic interplay.
Participants are in for an extraordinary visual feast, with the Olympic Center area transformed into a mesmerizing wonderland filled with light. The festival features sprawling interactive zones adorned with laser projections, artistic light installations, international sculptures, and heritage dance parades, all culminating in the large outdoor immersive artwork “Tree of Life.” This piece reflects a fantasy of digital and ecological harmony through its striking dynamic light effects.
International collaboration is a hallmark of this festival, as organizers partnered with esteemed light artists and brought in global expertise. Notably, Richard Taylor, a prominent international director, serves as the artistic advisor. The festival also features renowned light artworks from countries like France, Australia, and Switzerland, alongside creative input from the Singapore Light Festival team.
The integration of cutting-edge technology is evident throughout the festival, with many installations using online platforms, digital figures, AR experiences, and robotics. The centerpiece, “Circle of Life,” merges ancient philosophies of “Heaven, Earth, and Humanity” with captivating light and interactive elements, delighting visitors with its vibrant presentation.
In a bid to enhance engagement, the festival emphasizes interactivity, featuring multiple immersive zones such as a lawn light interaction area, pathway projections, and stations for photo opportunities with light and sculpture installations, allowing attendees to fully immerse themselves in the experience.
Chaoyang district’s vibrant participation underscores its commitment to creating a “City That Never Sleeps,” focusing on dual hubs—the Olympic Center and Liangma River cultural economic belt—while radiating out to other key areas like Beijing CBD and Chaoyang Park, creating a unified visual and cultural spectacle.
Throughout the festival, various events are set to take place, providing diverse leisure experiences ranging from concerts at the Bird’s Nest stadium to themed movie markets, fulfilling the festival’s vision of “Light plus” as a multi-faceted celebration.
Moreover, during the festival, a gourmet sightseeing bus will offer tours to iconic locations, allowing visitors to enjoy scenic views of the “Central Axis” while sampling international cuisine. Attendees can book tickets in advance to enhance their experience.
Officials expressed their aspirations for the festival: “We hope to create a diverse array of light displays and cultural events to weave together commerce, tourism, culture, and sports. Our goal is to continuously shape the nightlife economy and improve the sense of gain, happiness, and security for our community while showcasing the achievements of modern development in Chaoyang.”
The Beijing Chaoyang International Light Festival is set to become a new cultural and tourism landmark, building on last year’s success which saw significant increases in nighttime economic activity and cultural engagement. The festival highlights Chaoyang’s modern, international, and vibrant image, while contributing to the capital’s broader goals as an international consumption center.
