For years now, a special artistic presentation sets up shop in various outdoor gardens around the world combining the natural beauty of nature with the wonders that can be done with technology. You may not be familiar with these presentations which art part lightshow and part art exhibit, but Astra Lumina is all beautiful.
Fever, who puts on the show, describes the experience as “nine unique zones of astral energy” with a “visit from the stars” which one will discover during an “enchanted night walk through the woods.” This all sounds a bit “woo-woo” or new-agey, and I suppose some people can take the concept a bit too far, but it’s really just a clever description of a very cool presentation. It is visually striking and a huge departure from your traditional holiday light shows that begin popping up just before Thanksgiving. It’s a completely different animal. In fact, most of the shows end a week before Christmas.
The Gatlinburg, Tennessee presentation was the very first location in the U.S. to experience the Lumina Enchanted Night Walk created by Moment Factory. Other locations include New York City (where that show has just wrapped up), Seattle, Dallas and Los Angeles. Each one is set up at a local botanic garden.
“As the captivating venue for Astra Lumina, this garden promises an immersive experience where visitors can explore the rich tapestry of culture and natural beauty, all while being entranced by the magic of Astra Lumina,” states Fever who puts on these shows with Moment Factory.
“Moment Factory is a multidisciplinary entertainment studio specializing in the creation, design and production of immersive environments,” states Moment Factory co-founders Dominic Audet and Sakchin Bessette from Montreal. “Our Custom Experiences and Moment Factory Originals weave video, sound, lighting, architecture, interactivity, and special effects into experiences that invite audiences to wander, touch, feel and be inspired.”
It’s all looks pretty cool.
Although most Astra Lumina presentations feature the same art displays, it’s the locations that give guests a unique experience with that particular city. It’s hard to describe art installations since they are, by their nature, a visual art form, so the makers have given a backstory of sorts:
“The stars are descending from the night sky. Set off across mysterious grounds to discover a celestial pathway of lustrous light, cosmic visions, and astral song. Immerse yourself in illuminating encounters of lighting, projection and sound, and connect with the stars before they return to the sky above.”
So, what can one expect by visiting one of these nature light shows? About a one-mile-long night walk through a botanical garden of varying terrain that feature projections, lighting, and music. Each experience is intended to take 45-60 minutes. All of the points of interest come with unique and clever names. Some of the areas one will experience include the Astra Archway, Starlight Lanterns, Stellar Visions, Falling Stars, Cosmic Choir, Stardust Rays, Celestial Trail, Rise of the Stars and Astral Genesis. There is even a photo booth to capture your memories with your family.
While outside food and drinks are not permitted, beverages and snacks will be available for purchase. And of course, you’ll exit through a gift shop.
Here is Where You Can Find Astra Lumina:
Gatlinburg, Tennessee – October 7, 2025 through January 4, 2026
Anakeesta
576 Parkway
Gatlinburg, TN 37738
Seattle, Washington – November 6, 2025 through December 31, 2025
Seattle Chinese Garden
5640 16th Ave. SW
Seattle, WA 98106
Dallas, Texas – November 6, 2025 through December 31, 2025
Trinity Forest Adventure Park
1800 Dowdy Ferry Rd.
Dallas, TX 75217
Los Angeles, California – November 6, 2025 through December 31, 2025
South Coast Botanic Garden
26300 Crenshaw Blvd.
Palos Verdes Peninsula
Los Angeles, CA 90274
Visit the Astra Lumina website
All images: Fever
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