The 2026 Guangzhou International Light Festival will run for 11 days from December 4 to 14. Billed as one of the world's three major light festivals, the event showcases light art from around the globe.
This year, the festival follows a "1+2+N" layout, with one core venue at Haixinsha Asian Games Park (海心沙亚运公园), two themed exhibition routes along Guangzhou's new central axis and both banks of the Pearl River banks, and several sub-venues, including Liuhua Centre (China Fashion Trade Centre, 流花中心), Fuxu Ancient Canal in Huangpu District (黄埔扶胥古运河) and Haizhu Square (海珠广场). The Canton Tower, Guangzhou International Finance Centre and Guangzhou Chow Tai Fook Finance Centre will also stage a synchronised three-tower light show, taking the festival across the city.
This year's global open call attracted entries from France, the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and other countries. After three rounds of expert judging, 36 light art installations have been selected for display.
Two themed markets will run alongside the festival. One, a trendy lifestyle market at Haixinsha, will showcase cultural and creative products, blind-box toys, IP merchandise and city souvenirs. The other, an intangible cultural heritage market at the Liuhua Centre sub-venue, will feature nearly 40 heritage craft, creative design and art collaboration projects across five sections: light installations, art exhibitions, craft workshops, market stalls and stage performances.
Official Booking Information
Admission to the main venue at Haixinsha is free, but visitors must book in advance under their real names.
Booking opens at noon on December 1 via the official WeChat accounts "Guangzhou International Light Festival" (广州国际灯光节, Pinyin: Guangzhou Guoji Dengguang Jie) and "Guangzhou Haixinsha" (广州海心沙, Pinyin: Guangzhou Haixinsha). Visitors must register with a valid ID document, such as a Chinese mainland resident ID card, a Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, a Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents.
Visitors who have booked must bring the original ID document they registered with and arrive at the designated entrance during their booked time slot for ID checks. Reservations are valid only for the selected date and session.
No reservation is needed to visit outdoor public areas, including Huacheng Square, the Pearl River banks and all sub-venues.
Author | He Fengyu
Photos | Guangzhou International Light Festival
