Explore beautiful downtown Tampa after hours through this self-guided tour of new and existing Lights on Tampa art installations featuring local music, dance and other celebrations of Public Art on March 5 and 6.
While Lights on Tampa will live on for residents to experience at their own leisure, the evenings of March 5 and 6 will include special arts encounters featuring dance and music around the perimeter of the Tampa Convention Center.
Enjoy an illuminated tour of downtown Tampa
Organizers encourage visitors and residents to explore the vibrant city of Tampa after dark, in a socially distanced manner.
While the tour is outdoors, organizers ask that you consider wearing a mask as you move through the space, or purchase your limited-edition Lights on Tampa LED mask at the event!
Lights on Tampa brings critically acclaimed artwork to downtown and is a public/private partnership between the City of Tampa, Division of Arts & Cultural Affairs and the Public Art Alliance, a 501 (c) 3 nonprofit organization.
Find full details on Lights on Tampa’s website. You can begin your Lights on Tampa journey at the Tampa Convention Center (333 S Franklin Street).
Here are the new projects in 2021 you need to see:
Channelside Drive Tunnel
Serving as a gateway into downtown from South Tampa, this installation, Circles Unity, is a series of custom LED rings programmed together as a synchronized ensemble. The gradual transition of the program will illuminate the tunnel walls through unique color sequences. Circles Unity provides unique views from every position while passing through the tunnel either by car or on foot.
Harbour Island Bridge at The Riverwalk
Biobridge is an interactive artwork inspired by the delicate microscopic ecosystem of Florida waterways and our human impact on it by evoking the effects of bioluminescent bacteria. LED light strips affixed to the underside of the bridge over the Riverwalk, are programmed to provide this experience as visitors move through the space. This artwork was commissioned by the City of Tampa for Lights on Tampa.
A 15 year tradition in Tampa
The program began in 2006 and returned throughout the years, with bold high quality and “on the moment” installations. It has since brought 21 permanent installations and 60 temporary, and has become a signature brand for Tampa’s downtown.
Lights on Tampa is a public/private partnership between the City of Tampa’s Art Programs Division and the Public Art Alliance, a 501 (c) 3 organization. In 2010, the program was recognized as one of the 50 most significant art programs in the U.S. in the last 50 years by the Americans for the Arts.
In 2015, Lights On Tampa incorporated multiple art disciplines including performance, dance, original music and the literary arts. Works featured were acclaimed artist, Nick Cave (HEARD+TPA), a temporary installation by Luftwerk, and a “sky striker” carnival game that activated lights on the nearby skyscraper. In 2019, the Fortune Taylor street bridge adjacent to Julian B. Lane Park received a light installation by local artist, Chris Jones.
Follow Lights on Tampa on Facebook and Instagram for updates.