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Illuminate Art Walk

Friday, December 6th – Monday, January 6th

All evening, best viewed after sunset 

Downtown Raleigh comes to light every holiday season with Illuminate Art Walk presented by Wake Tech! Since December 2020, Illuminate Art Walk has transformed downtown into a wonderland of art and light—fun for people of all ages. 

A highlight of this year's celebration is The TUNNEL created by BIG ART, powered by Creos. The TUNNEL is an interactive, 100-foot beacon of light with towering, mirrored LED structures that reflect vibrant colors, patterns, and mesmerizing effects.

COMING SOON: A comprehensive list and map of installations from local artists.

Illuminate is free to the public and self-guided. We encourage everyone to take photos with the installations so tag us for a chance to be featured! 

1

BIG ART:
The TUNNEL

443 Fayetteville St
City Plaza

The TUNNEL

Some of our most imaginative adventures start with a door, a portal, or a gate. Passing through The TUNNEL indicates the start of a journey beyond the known world into something transformative.

One thing The TUNNEL does best is light up a site. Its polished exterior reflects the surrounding urban landscape, and the 16 surprising 4m (12 feet) tall cosmic structures using over 150 LED bars provides a stunning 30m (100 feet) beacon of light. But The TUNNEL offers even more.

You are invited to take control of the experience! The TUNNEL utilizes a custom, interactive console that allows you to become the “pilot”, guiding other guests through the experience by taking control of the array. Each button controls an aspect of the light programming, including speed, colour, fade and patterns, allowing “pilots” to tailor a unique experience. The giant light structure can also run autonomously for hours on end. 

2

Mosca Design:
Tinsel: A Walk Through Ornament

2 E South St
Martin Marietta Center for the Performin

Tinsel: A Walk Through Ornament

This sparkly adornment to the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts is comprised of 2,460 lights and stands 16 feet tall. 

3

Brian Brush:
SONARC

2 E South St
Martin Marietta Center for the Performin

SONARC

SONARC is made of 1,000 plexiglass tubes and 600 LED lights hung in a semicircle frame meant to represent open arms welcoming guests to the Martin Marietta Center for the Performing Arts.

Follow Brian Brush on Instagram at @brian.brush

4

Downtown Raleigh Alliance:
Downtown Raleigh Christmas Tree

2 E South St
Lichtin Plaza

Downtown Raleigh Christmas Tree

The Downtown Raleigh Christmas Tree is a staple of the city's holiday season, beaming its light down Fayetteville Street for all to see. 

16

Thomas Sayre:
Shimmer Wall

516 S McDowell St

Shimmer Wall

Raleigh's famous LED mural Shimmer Wall as been upgraded with new, more advanced lights that allow for easily changeable, colorful displays.

Follow Thomas Sayre on Instagram at @thomassayreartist

17

Nate Sheaffer:
Disco Alley

510 Glenwood Ave

Disco Alley

Disco Alley is a permanent installation of hand-blown, glass neon lights that move and change color.