The Bay Lights Return | Grand Lighting Ceremony
Date and Time
- Friday, Mar 20, 2026
Location
The Bay Bridge
Details
The Bay Lights Return
On March 20, The Bay Lights return full time to the western span of the San Francisco–Oakland Bay Bridge with a Grand Lighting celebration. Learn more at illuminate.org and be there when the city lights up.
Installing a massive public artwork on the Bay Bridge was the vision of Ben Davis who invited renowned light artist Leo Villareal to create The Bay Lights. What began as a bold, temporary, two-year exhibition didn’t just transform the skyline, it sparked a movement.
The lights were initially installed in 2013 and an improved version went live in January of 2016. From that first shimmer across the Bay, a nonprofit was born, dedicated to keeping public art free, ambitious, and accessible to all. Now, in 2026, The Bay Lights 360 installation has been completely rebuilt with a custom-engineered LED system designed to shine beautifully for years to come.
See you on the waterfront.
About Illuminate
Illuminate is a San Francisco–based nonprofit dedicated to creating monumental public art that brings people together through awe. Reaching more than 20 million residents and visitors annually, Illuminate produces original works that are always free, open to all, and rooted in generosity.
The Grand Lighting ceremony will be broadcast live on social media.