If you’re looking for something different to do in Waterloo this weekend, this is worth putting on your list.
On Saturday, September 19, Uptown Waterloo will light up for LUMEN, a free festival that brings together light, art and technology throughout the city.
For one night, you can walk through 35+ interactive installations created by artists, explore glowing displays, catch live performances, make your own light-up creations and see parts of Uptown completely transformed after dark.
And yes, the whole thing is free.
When and Where Is LUMEN?
📅 Saturday, September 19, 2026
⏰ 6 to 11 p.m.
📍 Uptown Waterloo and Waterloo Park
🎟️ Free, with no ticket or registration required
The installations are spread throughout Uptown, from Waterloo Park and Silver Lake to Waterloo Public Square, City Hall and other nearby locations.
One tip: you don't necessarily need to arrive right at 6.
LUMEN recommends coming after sunset, around 7:30 p.m., when the light installations will be easier to see.
What Can You Actually See?
This isn't just a bunch of lights you walk past.
A big part of LUMEN is being able to interact with the installations.
One of this year's new pieces is Plenum in Waterloo Public Square. You move your hands through the air around two theremin-inspired stations and your movements change the light and sound around you.
There's also an Infinity Dance Floor, live electronic music, DJs, lion dancers, glowing crafts, lantern making, glow-in-the-dark activities and interactive science exhibits from the University of Waterloo and Institute for Quantum Computing.
You can even find a giant illuminated Golden Pretzel and an installation made from old-school televisions that reacts as you move in front of it.
There are more than 35 installations in total, so you probably won't see everything in five minutes.
Is LUMEN Good for Kids?
Yes.
LUMEN is an all-ages event, and there are quite a few installations and activities that kids can actually participate in rather than just look at.
There will be lantern making, glowing mask crafts, interactive dance floors, science activities, light displays and other hands-on installations throughout the festival.
If your kids like pressing buttons, making things glow and touching anything they're probably not supposed to touch, this should keep them busy.
The official LUMEN site also lists sensory information and advisories for individual installations, which is helpful if you're planning around bright lights, loud sounds or high-sensory environments.
Getting There
Because LUMEN is spread across Uptown, this is more of a walking event than something you'll drive between.
The City recommends walking, biking, taking Grand River Transit or using one of the nearby Uptown parking lots. There will be no event parking at the Waterloo Public Library main branch or Visitor Information Centre.
I'd also give yourself enough time to wander.
Part of the fun is walking through Uptown and finding the different installations as you go rather than treating it like something you need to rush through.
The Quick Version
If you just need the important stuff:
LUMEN Festival
Saturday, September 19
6 to 11 p.m.
Uptown Waterloo + Waterloo Park
35+ installations
Free admission
All ages
No registration required
If you haven't been before, this is probably one of the more unusual ways to spend a Saturday night in Waterloo.
And unlike that trip to Iceland...
you can be home before midnight.
