Glød: Magical light festival illuminating the Norwegian winter

By Maria Sødal Vole

Based in the beautiful city of Stavanger, Glød is one of Europe’s most exciting new light festivals. Set during one of the darkest months of the year, the annual event is designed to be a light in the darkness with a focus on art, creativity, and making memories.

Stavanger is one of Norway’s oldest cities. Next year, it will be celebrating its 900-year anniversary, and Glød will be marking the grand opening of the festivities. “It’s a great honour,” says managing director Stian Steen-Forgaard. “We look forward to creating unforgettable memories when our light installations are illuminated in January.”

Norway is known for its dramatic nature and climate, and the winter is cold and dark in most parts of the country. “When the winter darkness descends over Stavanger, Glød lights up both the city and our minds, transforming the cityscape and creating exciting meeting places for people of all ages,” Steen-Forgaard says. “The festival is an invitation for people to get together and share experiences that provide energy and joy during the darkest time of the year.”

Glød, which is free and well-suited to people of all ages, is Stavanger’s first light festival. Its inaugural edition was held in January of this year and received a very warm welcome. “We had fantastic feedback from our audience. Tens of thousands of people braved the rain, snow, and cold to experience the festival,” says Steen-Forgaard.

Glød: Magical light festival illuminating the Norwegian winter

Gaia. Photo: Luke Jerram

Atmospheric light installations

Glød 2025 will run from January 18 to February 2. Due to the resounding success of this year’s event, the upcoming edition of the festival has been extended from 11 to 16 days. “We want to give as many people as possible the opportunity to experience the magical moments the festival offers,” the managing director explains. “We’ve also tripled the number of light installations displayed for the 2025 edition.”

The word glød translates to glow or ember but can also refer to passion and enthusiasm. It is an apt name for a festival committed to representing the power of light and the artistry of lightwork. “The city will be aglow every evening and filled with atmospheric light installations that excite and inspire,” Steen-Forgaard adds. “Glød is for everyone, and the more people who get to enjoy the festival, the better.”

A key focus for Glød is to spread awareness of light pollution and how it can be reduced. “We encourage residents and businesses in the area to dim or turn off unnecessary lights. This way, the community can contribute to reducing light pollution while also helping to facilitate spectacular experiences. The darker the surroundings, the more magical the light installations will be.”

Beacon of Light. Photo: 1024 Architecture & Loussaief Tijani, Sander Eriksen

An exciting programme

The 2025 programme involves local and international contributions from a range of artists. Featuring many installations and events across the city, Glød invites people to find light in the darkness and rejoice in vibrant, poetic, and spectacular lightworks. “The city is like a big stage or a large canvas. The light art transforms urban spaces, allowing us to discover and see the city with new eyes,” Steen-Forgaard says.

The festival’s main attraction will be an audio-visual laser installation situated at the historic Domkirkeplassen in front of Stavanger’s Domkirke, a beautiful cathedral dating to the Middle Ages. The installation can be seen from several kilometres away and was the most popular work during Lyon’s illustrious Fetès de Lumiere festival last year. Glød will be the proud host of its international premiere.

Among other highlights of this upcoming edition’s featured lightworks is British artist Luke Jerram’s light installation Gaia, which represents the globe and measures six metres in diameter. The awe-inspiring installation has been seen by over 20 million people worldwide and will now be displayed in Stavanger’s St. Petri church, which will also be the site of several events during the festival, including free concerts and meditation sessions.

Glød will also present The Travellers – a fascinating series of light sculptures by the French artist Cédric Le Borgne. The ethereal sculptures invite passersby into a world between dream and reality – they hover atmospherically in the sky, fly among the rooftops, and explore the city.

The last edition’s popular photography competition will also feature on the festival’s program in 2025. The competition invites spectators to capture special moments and interesting shots during the festival to be submitted with a chance to win an array of coveted prizes. Those taking part can compete for a jury-selected award decided by professional photographers and an audience award where the public votes for their favourite photos.

Glød brings people together, to share meaningful moments, and experience something truly magical. Don’t miss the highly-anticipated 2025 edition where unforgettable memories await!