**ALERT UPDATE ON LUMINARIA- NEW DATE IS MAY 5TH** Original Post Dated March 6, 2012
Luminaria is coming! Luminaria is coming! Mark your calendars for Saturday, May 5th from 7pm-1am at HemisFair Park.
The event started five years ago and is modeled after Paris’ Nuit Blanche which showcases art in the theme of light. Our former Mayor Phi Hardberger envisioned San Antonio having its own showcase of light and art and each year has been bigger and better than the previous one.
A free and family-friendly outdoor event, Luminaria showcases the city’s unique cultural mix of over 150 artists’ work in six different artistic disciplines: music, dance, film, literary arts, theater and visual arts. Luminaria hopes to inspire those in attendance and foster an appreciation of both the artists and their craft.
My family has attended every single Luminaria since 2008. Each one has been breathtakingly beautiful! I will never forget the very first event I attended with my husband, son and our twin toddler daughters. Pushing a double stroller through the crowd, I remember turning a corner to see the downtown buildings and the Alamo lit up in bright colors and textures. We all stood there in awe of its pure beauty. No one moved or said a word for about a full minute. When you hear about art feeding your soul, this was one of my children’s permanent moments of reference.
We have experienced something amazingly different at Luminaria every year. This year there will be 12 different stages set up as well as some performances in the Magik Children’s Theatre. HEB is sponsoring a children’s area which is open from 5- 7pm.
Food is a major part of Luminaria and this is your chance to experience an array of culinary delights as well as old favorites. In addition to food booths, food trucks are also part of the fare. These are not your typical food items at a large event and you’ll be surprised by the many options available. Carefully plot your favorite culinary delights because you might regret missing out on some of your local favorites or new places that you have been wanting to try. Food coupons can be purchased on site and a complete list of vendors is found under “plan your trip” on the event’s website.
Luminaria is a true gift to our community. Not only because it is a free event that is underwritten by corporate and private donors, but it is helping to foster a true passion of different art forms for all of San Antonio. It highlights our many different cultures and allows a window for the rest of the world to see exactly why we love our city so very much.
I will be there with my family to soak it all in. I hope you can make it because you will not experience anything quite like it. And it only comes one night a year. It is truly mesmerizing. Thank you San Antonio for this wonderful gift. For more detailed information, please visit the event website at www.luminariasa.org.
Photographs courtesy of www.artgives.org.
Stay Sassy Y’all.
I think this is so cool and beautiful. I would love to take Alicia to see it one year. She would really enjoy it.
It is just wonderful in person! It is usually in March so maybe you can make it during Spring Break!