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BIG CITY LIGHTS* is the Gold Coast’s four-night festival of light, live music, colour and creativity. This festival brings a cutting-edge program that will feature immersive audio-visual experiences, large-scale digital works, 3D-mapping and unexpected projection sites that will transform the Gold Coast’s everyday urban spaces.
Audiences can enjoy this free-for-everyone, public night-time exhibition. Building facades and laneways in the city’s CBD will be transformed into hypnotic and technicolour displays by leading local and national artists working in the fields of light, installation, architecture and digital design.
BIG CITY LIGHTS* will be delivered by Placemakers* Gold Coast (best known for the city’s flagship annual arts festival – BLEACH*), with a program that highlights Queensland and the Gold Coast as a cultural destination to Australia and the world.
We are the presenters of BLEACH* Festival. Just as our centrepiece project has grown and evolved over time, so too has our company. Bleached Arts Ltd was formed in 2015 to facilitate the growth of the Festival and sector. Our ability to adapt and respond to this growth continues as we evolve from Bleached Arts to Placemakers* Gold Coast.
Placemakers* Gold Coast started as a small Fringe Festival alongside the World Championship Tour Quiksilver Pro surfing event, held on the Southern Gold Coast. This festival, Bleach* Surfing the Fringe, launched in 2012 as a pilot with a budget of $40,000 and attracted an audience of 30,000 over the 16-day duration. The founding director was Louise Bezzina. Its early success demonstrated the strong demand for the performing arts in the Gold Coast region and led to a commitment of ongoing funding and support from the City of Gold Coast. From humble beginnings, BLEACH* has become one of Australia’s leading and most exciting site-specific contemporary arts festivals and has attracted close to one million people (including festival 2018, the commonwealth games cultural festival).
Our first edition will be 7 – 10 July 2022.
Save the date for July 2023.
BIG CITY LIGHTS* 2022 will be held in Southport CBD, along Nerang Street, Scarborough Street, Young Street, Davenport Street, Regent Lane, Davison Lane.
At this current time, the Queensland Government Regulations do not require proof of vaccination status to attend Festivals, events and venues. If the Queensland Government requirements change, updates will be communicated through our BIG CITY LIGHTS* channels.
The health and safety of attendees, staff and performers is important to us. Please ensure you comply with current government requirements around COVID-19.
For the most up to date information on COVID-19 in Queensland visit www.covid19.qld.gov.au
BIG CITY LIGHTS* is a free event, no ticket is required to attend the festival however for contact tracing purposes attendees may be required to check in.
In-venue programming at Vinnies Dive Bar is ticketed. Tickets are purchased via the BIG CITY LIGHTS* website.
BIG CITY LIGHTS* is a free event.
No ticket is required for this event, however for contact tracing purposes attendees may be required to check in.
Tickets are required for the Closing Night Party curated by Tiny Minds Agency. Tickets can be purchased via the BIG CITY LIGHTS* website.
You will receive your tickets by email after payment is complete and details are saved to the tickets.
Tickets will be emailed to you directly from the venue.
Tickets can be displayed on your smart phone, no printing required.
Tickets will be scanned at entry.
Please bring identification along with your electronic ticket that is easily accessible for scanning at the venue. If possible please avoid bringing a printed copy of your e-ticket.
BIG CITY LIGHTS* is generally a family-friendly festival. However, please carefully check any age restrictions on the event page of the website when purchasing tickets. Music, lights, pyrotechnics and certain artistic content can unsettle infants. Both in and outside of licensed areas, children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Some events may have age restrictions or recommendations for some areas of the venues including general admission standing areas.
All persons under 18 must be accompanied by an adult whilst at the Venue. This includes all bar areas and dining rooms where alcohol is served. Proof of age may be required by venues.
Please contact the Team at:
Placemakers Gold Coast
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07 5525 6468 between 9am – 5pm (EST) Monday – Friday
If you have special seating requirements (eg. wheelchair access, hearing difficulties, other) please contact the BIG CITY LIGHTS* Team at:
Placemakers* Gold Coast
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 07 5525 6468 between 9am – 5pm (EST) Monday – Friday
We encourage festival-goers to share their favourite moments with us on social media and tag @bigcitylightsfestival + #bigcitylightsfestival to be featured on our Instagram and Website. However, professional video and audio recording equipment is strictly prohibited unless prior written permission is obtained.
By attending BIG CITY LIGHTS*, you may inadvertently be filmed or photographed by festival staff and contractors who document performances and events for promotional purposes. By entering the event premises, you consent to photography, audio recording, video recording and its/their release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for promotional purposes, advertising, inclusion on websites, social media, or any other purpose by BIG CITY LIGHTS* and its affiliates. Images, photos and/or videos may be used to promote similar events in the future, You release BIG CITY LIGHTS*, its officers and employees, and each and all persons involved from any liability connected with the taking, recording, digitizing, or publication and use of such content.
Event precinct areas where art work is installed will be smoke free including vapes. Standard smoking laws apply, 5 metres away from all buildings including restaurants.
We have terrific, local vendors at our Southport hub with offerings that will make your mouth water. If these options are not suitable for you, you are welcome to bring along your own food.
BIG CITY LIGHTS* is generally a family-friendly festival. However, please carefully check any age restrictions on the event page of the website when planning your experience or purchasing tickets. Music, lights, pyrotechnics and certain artistic content can unsettle infants. Both in and outside of licensed areas, children must be accompanied by an adult at all times.
Mr PP’s Deli & Rooftop is 16+ accompanied by an adult at all times.
Closing Night Party Curated by Tiny Minds at Vinnies Dive Bar is 18+ only event.
Standard venue licensing laws apply. Outside of the festival licensed areas council laws regarding pets will be in effect. Music, lights, pyrotechnics and certain artistic content including large crowds can unsettle pets.
BIG CITY LIGHTS* is a carefully curated festival with events and artists selected by the Artistic Director. The festival does not accept unsolicited applications.
BIG CITY LIGHTS* Ambassadors are an essential part of our team and we love people who are passionate about supporting Arts and Culture on the Gold Coast. If this sounds like you, check out the details here.
BIG CITY LIGHTS* is not accepting applications for internships from the public in 2022.
If you or your organisation would like to join the BIG CITY LIGHTS* family, please inquire via email to [email protected] – we look forward to working together.
BIG CITY LIGHTS* welcomes philanthropic donations that support our organisation as a whole or donors who wish to support specific projects we undertake. In each case donors are seen as valued partners and we welcome the opportunity to work together to develop forms of support tailored to each individual case and circumstance.
If you are at a BIG CITY LIGHTS* venue, please report lost items to the Front of House staff or our Information Tent staff.
Please email [email protected] we’re happy to help.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the Yugambeh Language Region and all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People of the Gold Coast.
We recognise their continuing connection and contributions to country and culture.
We pay respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
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