Skip to content

Utah Arts Alliance presents ILLUMINATE, returning to The Gateway on 11/12 and 11/13

ILLUMINATE Light Art + Creative Tech Fest

Utah Arts Alliance announces the fifth annual ILLUMINATE: Utah’s Light Art and Creative Tech Fest. ILLUMINATE  is a free celebration of innovation and imagination for the community, art lovers, and families. Artists working with technology and using light as their medium will use the city as their canvas and create projection-mapped artwork, light art displays and exhibits for the community to experience at this FREE community event held at The Gateway on November 12 and 13, 2021.

“We are so excited for the return of this amazing community cultural event, unlike any other in Utah. ILLUMINATE showcases local and national artists working with light and incorporating technology in creative ways.  We hope to build new opportunities for these innovative artists while connecting their work to the community. All are welcome to enjoy this one-of-a-kind event, see their city in a new light and come together for a weekend of delight and inspiration,” said Derek Dyer, Executive Director of the Utah Arts Alliance.  

Festival Hours: November 12 and 13, 5 – 1 0 pm
No Admission Cost, All Ages 

At The Gateway

After Glo Party: November 13, 10 pm – 2 am 

$30, 21+, Tickets Here

At The Gateway 

Festival Features:

Light Museum

Between Restaurant Row and the Olympic Fountain on  Rio Grande at The Gateway

With more than 30 light installations from local and national artists, The Gateway is transformed into ILLUMINATE’s light museum. Tour the works along Rio Grande throughout The Gateway. Head upstairs from the Olympic Fountain to visit the Light Lounge. 

Light Lounge, sponsored by Downtown Alliance
12 N 400 W,  upstairs from the Olympic Fountain

Light Lounge is the perfect place to begin and end your ILLUMINATE experience. Located upstairs next to the Union Pacific Depot, step inside to our cozy lounge to view this playful collection of light art and projection works. Seating, refreshments and house DJs set the scene. All Ages. 

STEAM Lab, sponsored by Dominion Energy 

79 S. Rio Grande at The Gateway

Enter the STEAM Lab at ILLUMINATE to experience our take on STEAM programming (science, technology, engineering, ART and mathematics), that special place where the creative and technology sectors come together. This space is designed for attendees of all ages to engage in interactive activities built around light and technology.

Exhibitors include Utah Arts Alliance, Spy Hop, Spark Science, Clark Planetarium, U of U Physics, student robotics teams, Utah Film Center and STEAMpunk Academy. 

Kids Light Lab at Discovery Gateway 

5 to 8 pm on Friday and Saturday

444 W 100 S at Gateway, lower level atrium 

Little Illuminators love all aspects of this festival, but the Kids Light Lab is designed just for them. Street level at Discovery Gateway is a safe and vibrant place for the littles to play, craft and experience light art. Discovery Gateway’s STEAM Educators will be hosting two activities integrating both art and science. Admission is not required as these projects are located on the first level, before you enter the museum.

Dreamscapes: Salt Lake City’s Immersive Art Experience
10 am to 10 pm, 111 S. Rio Grande

This is a ticketed attraction. Reserve  here

This is the final weekend to visit Dreamscapes at The Gateway! Dreamscapes first debuted to the public as an art installation during the 2018 ILLUMINATE: Light Art + Creative Tech Fest. Public support and enthusiasm led its current iteration with doors officially opening at The Gateway in March 2019. More than 150,000 visitors, including 63,000 out-of-state guests,  have experienced the attraction at this location. The final days to see Dreamscapes here will coincide with ILLUMINATE, bringing the project full circle. 

This immersive experience follows a dream-inspired storyline through colorful vignettes that meander an ethereal labyrinth, an exciting way to experience digital and physical art. COVID cautious and appropriate for all ages, Dreamscapes supports the Utah Arts Alliance mission – To foster the arts in ALL forms in order to create an aware, empowered, and connected community.

Conquer Monster at Clark Planetarium
6 and 8 pm on Friday and Saturday; 40-minute run time
110 S 400 West at the Gateway
Tickets are required. Admission is FREE. 

Conquer Monster takes over the Hansen Dome for ILLUMINATE with their galatic showing of Outerdimensional Exploration! Outerdimensional Exploration is a multimedia experience that combines live music, short film, full-dome visuals, and just the right amount of Broadway theatrics.

Tickets are free and will be available on the day of the show. Patrons can pick them up at the Planetarium’s front desk or call ahead to reserve them. Seating will start fifteen minutes before each show.  Patrons are encouraged to be on time. At showtime, any open seats will be made available to those who were unable to secure a ticket.

Live Music and Entertainment

Dreamscapes Main Stage
100 South and Rio Grande at The Gateway

November 12 

5-5:45 pm | r. dub

6-6:45 pm | Man-Made Men

7-7:40 pm | Flash and Flare: An Exhibit of Dance

  • ATLAS Dance Co.
  • Duo Lovers Acrobats

8-9:15 pm | SuperBubble

9:30-10:00 pm | Ursula Major Presents “This is Lit”

November 13
5-5:45 pm | future.exboyfriend

6-7:00 pm | Open Flow Arts Social feat. DJ Matty Mo

7-7:30 pm | PyroTechnix Fire Show Presented by Hana Entertainment

7:30-8:15 pm | Uma Fuzz

8:30-9:15 pm | Stage inactive

8:45-9:15 pm | PyroTechnix Fire Show Presented by Hana Entertainment

9:15-10 pm | Jacob T. Skeen

STEAM Stage, sponsored by Visit Salt Lake 

By the Gateway Fountain

November 12 

5-6:30pm | Rosin

7-7:20pm | Glow and Gleam

8-9:30pm | Zephyr

9:30-9:50pm | Star Light and Star Bright

November 13

5-5:45pm | Doli

6-6:30 pm | Icky Rogers

7:15-7:45 pm | Light up the Night with Myriad Dance Company

8-8:45pm | toasterpastries

9-9:40 pm | “Pre-Party Power Hour” with DJ Matty Mo

Flow performers- Devun Black, Mike B. Black, Ashley Taylor

9:40-10 pm | Colossal Collective Presents the Mating Dance