Lumen Festival 2026 returns to uptown Waterloo, supporting 50 Canadian artists and 20 local businesses

The City of Waterloo’s Lumen Festival returns to uptown Waterloo on Saturday, September 19, 2026. This free outdoor arts festival showcases the imaginative works of local and Canadian artists through 35+ interactive installations. 

For one night, uptown Waterloo will transform into a canvas of light, bringing the creative works of 50 Canadian artists together across municipally owned spaces. Attendees are invited to enjoy the immersive installations, interact with the art and experience the city after dark in a whole new way.

“Lumen has grown to be one of the region’s most celebrated festivals and is an example of what happens when we invest in creativity at home,” says Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe. “At a time when supporting our local and Canadian economy is more important than ever, we are proud of the opportunities Lumen creates for local artists and businesses while bringing our community together to celebrate in our uptown core.”

One of this year’s exciting installations is the first public appearance of Plenum, a light and sound installation built around two theremin-inspired stations and three light organs by Wireframe Studio, in collaboration with Audiotopie out of Montreal. Plenum will be in the Waterloo Public Square during the festival and will remain until October 20, 2026. 

Other highlights include several pop-up dance parties, a huggable pretzel by local artist Esther Slevinsky (sponsored by the Consulate General of the Federal Republic of Germany) and the premiere of a monumental lapis blue hand-blown glass piece by internationally renowned artist Dale Chihuly at the Canadian Clay and Glass Gallery.

About Lumen
Lumen is a free, all-ages festival that celebrates the intersection of light, art and technology. Featuring the work of local, national and international artists, Lumen highlights accessibility, interactivity and innovation. The festival attracts over 100,000 visitors to Waterloo and continues to grow as one of the city’s signature events. 

The City of Waterloo is committed to accessibility, and as such, the event is entirely free and open to the public, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy the magic of light and art. 

Event Details
Date: Saturday, September 19, 2026
Time: 6 to 11 p.m.
Location: Various locations in uptown Waterloo and Waterloo Park

For more information and updates, please visit www.lumenfestival.ca or follow Create Waterloo on social media.

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Media contact:
Shirley Luu
Communications Consultant
Corporate Communications
City of Waterloo
Shirley.luu@waterloo.ca