Fun fact: 200 years ago, in 1816, Baltimore was the first American city to illuminate its streets with gas lanterns, revolutionizing the urban landscape forever by transforming the city with light.

200 years later, as the first of its kind in the United States, Baltimore will present a large-scale, international light festival from March 28 to April 3, 2016, aptly named Light City Baltimore. Light City’s innovation programming will generate an ecosystem of ideas and learning during the day – while illuminated art, performances, and live music transform the Inner Harbor at night.

LightCityU

The innovation conference scheduled during the week, called LightCityU, launches four conferences dedicated to powering social change. Together innovators, thought leaders and change-makers across four key industries explore one question: How do we become a more responsible and equitable society?

Light City will transform Baltimore with world-class light displays and sculptures, video projections on buildings and interactive technologies to create once-in-a-lifetime experiences for families, residents, and visitors. From the south shore of the Inner Harbor to Harbor East, festival-goers can explore 1.5 miles of world-class installations – all free, accessible and open to the public. Interspersed throughout, the festival will also feature uniquely curated live music shows. The BGE Light Art Walk is visible 7-11 p.m. nightly and will be open until midnight on Friday, April 1st and Saturday, April 2nd.

The week-long event kicks off with the Creative Alliance Light City Lantern Parade at 7 p.m. on Monday, March 28th. For more information on Light City Baltimore and its schedule of performances and conferences, visit lightcity.org. An app is also available and can be downloaded from the Apple App Store or Android Google Play.