A New Light Installation and Festival is Coming to the Viaduct Harbour

Sydney has Vivid, Wellington has LUX, and now Auckland is getting its very own kaleidoscopic festival of light with Bright Nights. To launch the ongoing project, this Queen's Birthday weekend a glowing new artwork will be unveiled to the public along the Viaduct Harbour.

The light installation is a collaboration between Viaduct Harbour Holdings and Angus Muir Design. The Auckland-based architects and light artists are known for revitalising spaces with mesmeric and interactive experiences; you may already be familiar with some of their contributions from NZ Fashion Week, Sculpture on the Gulf and Vivid.

More than 2000 individual lights, to the tune of $500,000, make up Bright Nights. The installation will be a permanent fixture spread along three sides of the eastern seawall, surrounding the Viaduct waterfront and projecting light sequences into the harbour. New light shows have also been commissioned throughout the year and the Angus Muir Design team will be able to remotely control the installation to produce displays to suit the seasons and reflect moods and events in the city.

The Bright Nights installation will light up at 6pm each night from Friday June 2 to Sunday June 4. As well as the florescent spectacle, the opening weekend will feature dancers from Auckland's Vospertron troupe, temporary light decorations and food and beverage offerings. Viaduct Harbour Holdings hopes the inaugural event will pave the way for an annual lighting festival on par with Vivid Sydney.

Photo: Angus Muir Design, Shroud