This year’s festival continues this brilliant tradition with even more ambitious installations — from awe-inspiring, building-scale 3D mapping to intimate, interactive light performances. Best of all, this dazzling spectacle is free, drawing thousands of locals and international visitors into the illuminated streets.

For full program details and upcoming news, visit the official Light Move Festival website or follow @lightmovefestival on Instagram.

Łódź: A City of Industrial Heritage and Creative Revival

Łódź (pronounced Woodge) is Poland’s third-largest city, a place where a textile-industrial past has evolved into a vibrant cultural present. The festival’s epicenter is Piotrkowska Street, one of the longest pedestrian boulevards in Europe. During the Light Move Festival, it becomes a pulsating artery of color, sound, and performance.

For cyclists, Łódź is usually a perfect base for exploring central Poland’s flat landscapes and scenic bike trails. But during the festival, the sheer density of the crowds makes cycling nearly impossible. The best approach is simple: leave your bike in a safe place, put on comfortable shoes, and discover the luminous city on foot.

A Glimpse into the Festival

Each image tells a story of transformation, showing how light can reimagine a city’s landscape, turning historical architecture into dynamic canvases and parks into surreal, dreamlike realms.

Capturing the Glow: A Photographer’s Guide

Light festivals are a playground for photographers, but the combination of low light, moving subjects, and large crowds presents a challenge. With the right preparation, though, you can return home with images that capture both the energy and atmosphere of the event.

Essential Gear to Bring

• A mirrorless or DSLR with good low-light performance
• A fast lens (f/1.4 – f/2.8) for sharp shots in dim conditions
• A small tripod or monopod — useful, but keep in mind crowded streets
• Spare batteries and memory cards, since long exposures drain them quickly

Camera Settings to Try

• ISO: 800 – 1600 as a starting point
• Aperture: f/2.8 – f/5.6 for balance of sharpness and light intake
• Shutter speed: 1/50s – 1/200s for handheld; slower with tripod for light trails
• White balance: Auto works fine, but Tungsten or Daylight often gives more consistent color

Beyond the technicals, think about what stories you want to tell. Wide shots show the monumental scale of projections against historic architecture. Close-ups reveal smaller details — a performer’s face lit by fire, reflections in puddles, the glow of neon accessories in the crowd.

Post-Processing the Magic

Back home, Lightroom, Camera Raw, or Photoshop can help refine your captures. Pull down highlights to save detail in bright projections, lift shadows gently to reveal context in darker areas, and add subtle clarity or texture to bring architecture into focus. A curve adjustment masked to key areas — like faces or a glowing street — can direct the eye where you want it. And finally, don’t forget the crop: removing excess sky or foreground can make a photo far more powerful.

Your Unforgettable Night Awaits

Whether you’re a traveler seeking Poland’s vibrant culture or a photographer chasing the perfect shot, the Light Move Festival in Łódź is an unmissable experience. Just remember your most comfortable shoes, fully charged batteries, and a sense of wonder. Leave the bike behind for the evening — and let the illuminated streets of Łódź guide you.

To stay inspired until the next edition, follow the Light Move Festival online — their channels are full of highlights, behind-the-scenes stories, and updates for future visitors.

Step into the glow and let Łódź surprise you — the Light Move Festival is waiting to illuminate your night and your lens.

---

🎥 Watch one of the spectacular church illuminations from Light Move Festival 2025 below:

Explore the Full Gallery

For more impressions from this unforgettable edition, browse the full gallery below: