Rain or shine, Bayleys Te Ramaroa Light Festival was far from being light on crowd numbers with thousands like a moth to a light at the top of Trafalgar St over five nights.
The biennial sensation dazzled following a one-year hiatus with lighting features, lasers, sound, sculpture and interactive art from local and national artists delighting young and old.
Director Michaela Blackman says Te Ramaroa Trust and in-kind sponsors made light work of the festival’s staging, and around 12,000 were there for Friday’s opening night alone.
She says Nelson Cathedral’s lighting spectacle by Auckland-based light artist Angus Muir and the immersive Enchanted Forest by Nelson multidisciplinary artist Rachel Hampton were among the highlights.
Live music at 1903 Square and the nearby hospitality venues also shone, and Michaela says any negative reviews didn’t come to light.
“It was a really welcoming return of the festival, everybody was really happy to see it back,” she enthuses.
“A lot of people have said they like the community spirit and being out in the city, so we’re really happy to hear that.”
