Every summer, Chetwynd, British Columbia, transforms its quiet northern community into a vibrant beacon of light and culture with the Summer Festival of Lights. This annual event invites visitors and locals alike to experience an electrifying combination of art installations, live performances, and interactive exhibits, all set against the backdrop of northern wilderness that is fiercely vivid and surprisingly accessible.

The festival stretches through the heart of Chetwynd, sprawling across parks and community spaces where rivers dare you to linger near their shimmering edges. As daylight fades, more than just the sky lights up—thousands of bulbs, LEDs, and fire-inspired sculptures spring to life, creating a lively, multi-sensory environment that pulses with energy and creativity.

Planning your visit is straightforward; the festival typically runs from late June through early August, offering long evenings perfect for exploration. Be ready to walk: the event’s venues are compact but require moving through forested nooks and across well-maintained trails to catch all light displays and stages. Expect a total walking distance of around 3 to 5 kilometers depending on how deeply you dive in, with minimal elevation gain, making it accessible to most adventurers.

Footwear should be sturdy but comfortable—trail runners or light hiking shoes perform well on the packed dirt paths that sometimes glimmer with the aftermath of morning dew. Hydration is simple: bring a refillable bottle, as local vendors provide accessible water stations, and warmer summer nights call for consistent fluid intake.

As a practical tip, aim to arrive just before sunset to watch daylight retreat and take full advantage of the lighting displays as they switch on. The growing shadows play with the sculptures and natural landscape, crafting shifting silhouettes and sharpened contrasts that ignite the senses.

More than a visual spectacle, the Festival of Lights integrates interactive workshops and storytelling sessions, tapping into local Indigenous culture and mountain lore. This isn’t just light for light’s sake; it’s an engagement with a community fiercely proud of its land and stories.

Whether you’re a casual attendee or a devoted explorer, the Festival offers a chance to interact with nature and art on terms both exhilarating and grounded. Every glowing installation seems to pulse with the surrounding forest’s breath—luminous, yet respectful—inviting you to not conquer but appreciate a place alive with complexity and beauty.