Austin, Texas houses countless cultural attractions, so it’s no surprise that Waller Creek gets few visitors. Running through the downtown core, the unassuming waterway is an unlikely tourist hotspot. But for ten days out of the year, 60,000 people flock to Waller Creek, which boosts the local economy and provides a place for community members to come together and celebrate.
So, how does Austin do this? And how can municipalities across North America use holiday lighting to enhance safety, draw visitors, and breathe new life into forgotten spaces?
Creek Show (Austin, Texas)
Cities Use Holiday Lights to Bring their Communities Together
Almost every culture has a festival of lights. Inspiring communities by gathering around lights is core to the human experience. Diwali, Hanukkah, and Lantern Festival demonstrate how the beauty and sacredness of light transcend across different cultures.
Light festivals have special significance in Nordic countries, where the Sun is absent for much of the year. North American cities are no different. During the grueling winter months, much of our public life stops so that we can stay at home and pseudo-hibernate under cozy blankets and affirmations that Christmas is “just around the corner.” We become inside animals each winter, separated from our communities.
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
Municipalities and BIAs (Business Improvement Associations) all over the United States and Canada run annual light festivals that bring their communities together. Austin programs Creek Show, an artistic light exhibition and live music festival, while Georgetown’s GLOW DC hosts light art and walking tours.
Maybe you too can revitalize your town’s economy, happiness, and safety through this transformative practice.
GLOW DC (Washington, DC)
Positive Impacts of Public Holiday Lighting
Safety
Studies show that light can illuminate walls, trees, and visual limits, so that passers-by can feel more safe when walking through areas that they would otherwise perceive as “sketchy”. Safety-wise, it’s the difference between passing by a hooded figure on the street and a family of four. Recognizing our surrounding elements helps us to feel comfortable in our communities.
If you’re looking to create a uniformly-lit, safe environment, it’s important to light all buildings in your area, not just the buildings that see lots of foot traffic, and hence feel safe. Bringing foot traffic to other parts of town changes the way that the public perceives these areas, and revitalizes the neighborhood’s economy.
Opt for a traditional Christmas look by stringing C9 Bulbs up on your building. Or, if you want to light up a public square, try canopy wrapping the trees using Mini Lights. The Warm White colour option is especially great for creating a candlelit, cozy atmosphere.
Pleasantness
If you live in a cold province or state, like Minnesota, North Dakota, Quebec, Alberta, or Ontario, chances are you don’t see the Sun for much of the year. Effective public holiday lighting could give you the dopamine-kick that you crave.
Warm white light is great for your home, when you’re curling up next to a book, but studies show that cool light (or daylight toned) actually makes us feel better by imitating the Sun and prolonging our sense of daytime.
Custom sculptures are a great way to engage your neighbors with a daylight-coded display. This is especially true if you’re a city looking for a light attraction at a fun holiday event, or if you’re a local business that wants to spur sales growth.
Book a calendar slot with Big Star Lights to find out more about our catalogue of custom public sculptures: Contact Us.
PSL: No, It’s Not a Pumpkin Spice Latte
Transforming your city through PSL (Public Space Lighting) requires three foresight, creative vision, and problem solving. Light festivals aren’t built overnight, so January is the best time to start deliberating, budgeting and consulting. Contact Big Star Lights at 1-888-444-4081 to learn more about how we can help you achieve your vision.