Redmond Lights will have new additions this year

The parks and recreation department shared a preview of the festival with city council.

Redmond Lights Festival is just around the corner.

Council received a preview of the annual event on Nov. 4. Carolyn Hope, park planning and cultural arts manager, and Carrie Hite, parks and recreation director, gave a brief presentation on the celebration.

This year, the city will host its 20th annual Redmond Lights event on Dec. 7 and 8. The event celebrates the diverse winter traditions, cultures and faiths, explored through light and art. The celebration will continue with the two-night format this year.

Saturday, “A Joyful Celebration,” will be more “active,” according to Hope. Festivities will take place from 4-8 p.m. Community members can expect to see burn barrels and hot air balloons this year.

Art installations by Heather Dawn Sparks, Angie Hinojos Yusuf and Carlos Jimenez, Sparklab, Seattle Design Nerds and Cat Chiu Phillips will be displayed around the city.

This year, Hope said they are trying to activate Downtown Park with food trucks, safer burn barrels, vendors, and main stage and digital artwork. She said they are also working to bring a beer and wine garden to Downtown Park. To encourage more interaction, Hope said they are are bringing roaming performers. Members of SuttonBeresCuller will carry arrows on their back to lead people through the trail. A marching band is also in the works.

Sunday’s celebration, “A Peaceful Interlude” will take place from 5-8 p.m. Artistic light installations will sit along the Sammamish River Trail to the Redmond Central Connector. Attendees will be able to enjoy food from the food trucks, a beer and wine garden and art work by Jen Szabo and artist-in-residence Maja Petric.

Community members are welcome to volunteer during the event and can contact Sarah Bouwman at sbouwman@redmond.gov.