Our favourite sustainable light festival is back for its 10th edition! We spotlight what’s in store this year.
One thing we always look forward to in June is i Light Singapore. The annual sustainable light festival transforms Marina Bay and neighbouring locations into an illuminating spectacle with fresh light art installations and engaging programmes. This year’s edition marks its 10th year on our island and extends into Tanjong Pagar. Here’s a rundown of what to check out at i Light Singapore 2024.
Everything you need to know about i Light Singapore 2024
1. Green rules this year’s theme
Since 2022, the festival has been based on one colour from the light spectrum. This year’s colour is green, symbolising nature, our environment, and sustainable concepts like upcycling and the circular economy. Cyclical Nature, the theme for i Light Singapore 2024, looks at the endless potential of discarded everyday objects through the power of restoration, redesign, and repurposing.
2. Immersive installations that shed light on important environmental issues
As with past years, visitors can look forward to many light art installations and programmes for this 10th edition. Kick off your journey with Dandelion at Marina Bay Sands Event Plaza. Inspired by the flower’s petals, the installation transforms into a cacophony of light and music every five minutes. Festival-goers are invited to pause, marvel, and make a wish.
Next up: Kinetic Perspective. Inspired by 1960s optical illusions, this immersive installation comprises circles moving continuously to create infinite combinations. See how many patterns and distortions you can make out from the constant spinning.
Check out Spin Me a Yarn, which features three ginormous yarn balls intertwined with its surroundings. This piece highlights how the fashion industry’s preparation of yarn contributes to global pollution and what we must do to reverse unsustainable practices.
One artwork you must see is Fish are Jumping, located at Marina Bay’s lower boardwalk steps. Get ready to whip your phone out and film “fish” leaping out of the water! When you’re done, head to Arc Zero: Nimbus and pose for photos underneath the oculus. The mist ring frames the adjacent Esplanade beautifully.
Located near Red Dot Design Museum is Liminal;Minimal by two Singapore University of Technology and Design students, Benjamin Lim and Yeo Soon Yii. It utilises wooden beams, reclaimed pallets, and discarded dust nettings from building sites to spotlight construction waste and the transient nature of our man-made environment.
i Light Singapore fans know The Promontory is the site for the festival’s piece de resistance. This year’s star attraction is Iwagumi Air Space, a larger-than-life installation that mimics the arrangement of rocks in underwater gardening. After that, make your way to the Fountain of Happiness and get on the lighted swings. The colours change as you go back and forth! We reckon you’ll see much of these two artwork on your IG feed this month.
Psst: if you don’t feel like clocking your steps, skip the walking and hop onto the i Light River Cruise Shuttle Service. You can appreciate the artwork without having to jostle through the crowds. This ticketed service is available on Fridays, weekends, and public holidays (excluding 15 and 22 June).
3. More cool artwork at Millenia Walk and South Beach
When you’re done exploring the Bay, head to Millenia Walk, where you’re invited to marvel at Modern Guru and the Path to Artificial Happiness. The ceremonial shroud unveils four large digital eyes above a spiralling ring of light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Point your camera at the Modern Guru and a new message will be revealed from its mouth.
i Light Singapore 2024 continues at South Beach, where festival-goers can check out two student artworks. Lumi pays homage to Singapore’s maritime heritage that’s shaped like a meandering river. The second visual light display, The Lantern, uses 5,000 upcycled plastic water bottles to form a luminous pavilion. Be mesmerised by the light dancing upon the water.
4. Tanjong Pagar joins in the light fun
Another location enters the light-up fold this year. Say hello to Tanjong Pagar, which hosts various aesthetic and interactive artworks. Tennis will be big this year, thanks to the Zendaya-led film Challengers and Kickit Team Tennis. Put your agility to the test by kicking illuminated balls across the field. The light paths you conjure will surely cause a delight.
Anyone into blooms? These installations will pique your interest. BottleBlooms by Singaporean artist Yun is made of 1,000 plastic bottles collected from a public drive, showcasing the power of upcycling discarded materials. Over at Hidden Garden, inflatable flowers cling onto tree trunks, representing the harmonious coexistence of natural and man-made as well as paying tribute to our city’s flora and fauna.
5. Eat, learn, and be entertained
Take a break from all the lights and treat yourself to a gastronomic and musical feast at GastroBeats. Returning to the Bayfront Event Space, the “people’s festival” offers over 200 culinary options, including ethically sourced meats and homegrown seasonal produce. The festival village is also ramping up its sustainable efforts by using rechargeable batteries and solar energy as well as ditching plastic straws. Diners are encouraged to bring their own tumblers and storage containers.
Besides food, visitors can look forward to daily live music performances by homegrown talents, participate in family-friendly games and activities, and learn food photography, videography, and content strategy tips from local content creators.
If you’re curious about becoming a more eco-conscious warrior, go on and take part in The Conscious Festival x i Light Singapore. Seven days of activities devoted to sustainability await you, including insightful talks, practical workshops, a night marketplace, and a ticketed party powered by plants.
Be sure to drop by Community Green Market, which runs from 7 to 9 and 14 to 16 June. Shop eco-friendly products, munch on delicious offerings from food trucks, and enjoy groovy beats by the deejays on deck.
6. Cool initiatives you should be aware of
Notice the QR codes as you wander the festival grounds? They’re part of i Quest, a gamified initiative by The Conscious Festival rallying festival-goers to safeguard the future of regional mangrove forests. All you have to do is scan the codes and contribute points to the community scoreboard. The eco-festival pledges to plant 160 mangrove and seaweed seedlings upon attaining 1,000 points. Plus, you can win vouchers for use at GastroBeats and The Conscious Festival’s marketplace and qualify for the grand draw.
The Switch Off, Turn Up campaign returns this year with over 200 buildings and properties on board. Participating businesses are encouraged to turn off non-essential lighting and switch air conditioning to more optimal temperatures throughout and beyond the festival duration.
Tips for an enjoyable time at i Light Singapore 2024
So you’re excited to explore the festival. That’s great! Before you do that, here are some pro tips:
- The festival may take place at night, but knowing Singapore’s weather, it’ll be humid (with some random light showers). Dress comfortably and wear appropriate shoes; don’t forget to bring a water bottle, a portable fan, and a small umbrella.
- Weekends will be packed, so unless you’re okay with waiting in line and having loads of people in your photos, we recommend swinging by on Mondays or Tuesdays.
- Don’t be compelled to explore the whole festival in one night. If you’re too tired or lack time, you can drop by again another time. Psst: consider signing up for the specially curated walking tour, which sheds light on the installations.
It’s time to get lit at this year’s sustainable light festival!
i Light Singapore 2024, 31 May to 23 June 2024, 7.30pm to 11pm daily (extended hours to 12am on Fridays and Saturdays). Admission is free, but charges may apply for some programmes.
