As autumn wraps Sweden in cool winds and early dusks, the small town of Alingsås transforms into a glowing wonderland. Lights in Alingsås, the country’s premier lighting festival, returns for its 26th edition from October 3 to November 2, 2025. This month-long event invites visitors to wander a trail of creative light installations inspired by the magic of cinema. Held along the charming streets and rivers of Alingsås, about 45 minutes from Gothenburg, the festival blends art, technology, and nature. It’s a free, open-air experience that draws 70,000 to 90,000 people each year, turning everyday paths into cinematic scenes under the stars.
A Celebration of Light, Design, and Community
Since its launch in 1998 by local energy company Alingsås Energi, Lights in Alingsås has evolved from a simple light display into a global showcase for innovative design. What started as a way to brighten dark winter evenings has become a workshop-driven festival where professional lighting designers mentor international students. The result is a surprise collection of installations that light up urban spots, parks, and waterways, fostering creativity and collaboration.
The 2025 edition, themed “Movies in Lights,” celebrates film’s emotional power, from laughter to longing. Last year’s 2024 event, with its focus on “Light and Sound,” ended on a high note with over 80,000 visitors exploring interactive exhibits and live music. The closing night featured a collaborative light show along the Lillån river, leaving crowds buzzing about the blend of tech and storytelling. This year promises even more wonder, with activities like concerts, exhibitions, and a culture night on October 25, where attendees dress as favorite movie characters. It’s a community affair that values free access, education, and the joy of shared discovery in a cozy Swedish setting.
Set against Alingsås’s mix of historic buildings and green spaces, the festival creates intimate moments. No big crowds or barriers here, just soft glows inviting quiet reflection or family chats under illuminated trees.
The Site: Streets, Rivers, and Glowing Trails
Lights in Alingsås unfolds across a 2.5-kilometer trail in the town center, starting at Åmanska Parken and weaving through key spots. The path follows the gentle Lillån river, past Alingsås Energi’s headquarters called Ljuset, into Paradisparken for kid-friendly lights, and down to Lugnet. It continues along Sidenvägen to Plantaget, through a tunnel by Christinae Church, and along bustling Kungsgatan and Nygatan streets, ending back at the river.
This route mixes city vibes with nature, highlighting bridges, parks, and shop fronts. Installations light up from dusk till dawn, syncing with street lamps, but dim to a “night scene” from midnight to 5 a.m. for energy savings. Free audio guides in the festival app explain each piece, while shop windows compete in a lighting contest, voted on by visitors. Local cafes stay open late, serving fika like cinnamon buns and hot glögg to warm chilly evenings. The layout is walkable and wheelchair-friendly, with paths wide enough for strollers or groups, making it easy to pause and soak in the views.
A Line-up of Cinematic Illuminations and Creative Sparks
The heart of Lights in Alingsås is its workshop, held September 26 to October 4, 2025, where six teams of pros and students craft secret installations revealed at the October 3 opening. For “Movies in Lights,” expect designs evoking film scenes, like flickering projections of classic chases or soft glows mimicking starry night skies from romances. Highlights include six main workshop pieces plus several pro “Highlights” scattered along the trail, blending LED tech, projections, and natural elements.
Past years set a magical tone. In 2024, a sound-reactive bridge installation turned footsteps into symphonies, while 2023’s nature-themed lights made trees “whisper” with fiber optics. The 2022 edition wowed with underwater river glows inspired by sci-fi. This year adds variety: a kids’ area in Paradisparken with playful movie motifs, plus events like a illuminated run race, shopping nights, and a photo contest. Guided tours in English or Swedish dive deeper, sharing designer stories. It’s a line-up that sparks imagination, showing how light can tell tales without words.
Days and Nights Along the Glowing Path
Days at Lights in Alingsås build gentle excitement. Mornings suit app downloads and trail planning, with daylight previews of setups. By afternoon, families join free kids’ activities or browse lit-up markets. Evenings kick off at dusk, around 6 p.m., when installations flicker to life, casting colorful reflections on the river.
Nights feel like stepping into a film set. The trail hums with soft chatter as couples stroll hand-in-hand, kids point at twinkling effects, and friends snap photos. Concerts in parks add live jazz or folk tunes under the lights, while culture night on October 25 brings costume fun from 4 to 6 p.m. in Åmanska Parken. The 2024 finale wrapped with a riverside light symphony, fireworks of color dancing on water till late. Here, the pace is relaxed, no rush, just the thrill of turning a corner to a new glow. Late owls can linger till closing, the dimmed “night scene” creating a dreamy, private finale.
A Festival Built on Innovation and Sustainability
Lights in Alingsås is more than pretty lights, it’s a commitment to growth and green practices. The workshop educates young designers, linking Sweden with global talents from Europe, Asia, and beyond. It supports networks like the International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) and has won awards for excellence.
Sustainability shines through: energy-efficient LEDs minimize waste, and the dimmed night mode saves power. Local sourcing for events boosts the economy, while the app cuts paper guides. The schedule mixes structure with freedom, like half-price tours on Mondays and Tuesdays to spread crowds. It’s a model of thoughtful design, honoring Alingsås’s energy heritage while inspiring eco-friendly art worldwide.
Planning Your Visit
The festival is free to explore, but guided tours cost about 150 SEK (around $14 USD), bookable from September 5 on Billetto.se. Visit mid-week for fewer people and easier parking. Fly into Gothenburg’s Landvetter Airport, then take a 45-minute train to Alingsås station, steps from the trail start. Driving works too, with free lots nearby.
Stay in town at spots like Grand Hotel Alingsås for cozy rooms with saunas, or budget hostels. October nights dip to 5°C (41°F), so layer up with hats, scarves, and comfy shoes for the 2.5 km walk. Download the app for maps and audio in English. Families, note the kids’ lights; accessibility includes ramps and info on the site.
Why Lights in Alingsås Stands Out
In a season of long nights, Lights in Alingsås brings pure magic without the hype. No ticket lines or VIP zones, just accessible art that surprises and soothes. It’s where a simple river bend becomes a portal to movie dreams, or a church tunnel pulses like a thriller scene. Past visitors love the intimacy, the way lights make strangers smile and share stories.
What makes it special is its roots in learning, turning a quiet town into an innovation hub. Amid global challenges, it reminds us light can heal and connect, echoing cinema’s timeless pull. Whether you’re a design buff or just seeking autumn cheer, it leaves you with glowing memories, a spark to create your own light.
Explore the Surroundings
Beyond the trail, Alingsås charms with easy day trips. Hike Nolhaga Park’s forests for fresh air, or visit the Nolhaga Castle grounds for history and cafes. Shop local at markets for Swedish textiles, or boat on Lake Anten for views. Nearby Gothenburg offers big-city vibes with its harbor and museums, a quick train away. These spots add layers, blending festival glow with Sweden’s natural calm.
Lights in Alingsås 2025 offers more than illumination, it crafts cinematic nights in a Swedish town. With its movie-inspired trail, workshop wonders, and riverside magic, it calls you to wander, wonder, connect, and carry that light home long after the final dusk fades.
Follow Lights in Alingsås online for updates on the trail, tours, events, and app tips:
Instagram: @lightsinalingsas
