Building on the incredible success of its inaugural year, Charm City will host the second iteration of Light City Baltimore, America's first international light, music and innovation festival, Friday, March 31 through Saturday, April 8, 2017. For nine consecutive nights, the free public festival will transform Baltimore into a playground of light art installations, interactive activities for the whole family, concerts and performances.

In 2016, Light City Baltimore welcomed nearly 400,000 visitors into its 23 large-scale light art installations, 50 concerts and 100 performances. This year, festival-goers can expect an equally groundbreaking celebration. The Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts has received applications from 140 artists across the globe Israel, Belgium and Lebanon to participate in the festival and is collaborating with community leaders, businesses and neighborhoods to create a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

                Let It Shine—Highlights of Light City 2017

• BGE Light Art Walk: Central to Light City, this 1.2-mile trail along Baltimore's Inner Harbor will feature illuminated sculptures, projections, interactive technologies, performances, concerts, food vendors and a children's area. Festivities will kick off with a Light City Lantern Parade and follow with night themed experiences throughout the week.
• Labs@Light City: During the day, Light City's ticketed innovation conferences will bring together innovators and thought leaders across key industries to explore ways to spark social change.
• Neighborhood Lights: This immersive community artist-in-residence program will extend the magic of Light City Baltimore to eight neighborhoods throughout Baltimore City including Hampden, Station North, Little Italy, Coldstream Homestead Montebello, Waverly, Sandtown-Winchester, and Greater Mondawmin.

When the Lights Go Down in the City—Hotel Packages

To welcome visitors to Light City and encourage them stay, play and enjoy all that the destination has to offer, Baltimore hotels will offer packages to mark the occasion.

Bright Ideas—The History of Light in Baltimore

In 1816, Baltimore was the first city in the United States to suggest illuminating its streets with hydrogen gas lanterns. Light City honors Baltimore's contribution to urban innovation, forever transforming cities across the country with light.

You can view a short video of the 2016 festival here.