When I first heard that Reno was launching an illuminated arts festival right in the heart of downtown, I knew I had to be there with a camera. I'm so glad I went — the Western Lights Festival turned out to be one of the most visually spectacular events I've ever had the pleasure of photographing in the Reno-Tahoe region.

The Western Lights Illuminated Arts Festival takes over six full city blocks of downtown Reno, stretching from West Street Plaza all the way to the Virginia Street Bridge. Produced in partnership with the creative team at Grand Artique and the City of Reno, the event transforms familiar downtown streets into an open-air gallery of glowing sculptures, interactive installations, and live performances. And best of all — it's completely free to attend.

What You'll Find at the Festival

Walking through the festival felt like stepping into another world. Over 40 large-scale illuminated artworks filled the blocks, many of them interactive — responding to sound, touch, and movement. The old Reno arch glowed overhead while modern light installations surrounded you on all sides. Music drifted through the air from six stages featuring DJs and live bands, and the whole scene was energized by thousands of people out enjoying a winter night in a way that felt genuinely special.

As a photographer, the challenge — and the joy — of an event like this is working with light that's entirely artificial and constantly changing. Colored LEDs, projection mapping, neon-style tubes, and fire features all demand different exposure settings, and the crowds add another layer of complexity. I found myself shooting wide to capture the scale of the installations, then moving in close to isolate the details and textures that make each piece unique.

A Neighborhood Transformed

One of the things that struck me most was how the festival used Reno's existing character to its advantage. The historic downtown architecture, the famous Reno arch, the Truckee River — all of it became part of the canvas. The river especially was a great photography spot, with the colored reflections shimmering across the water's surface.

The crowd energy was fantastic too. Families, couples, groups of friends — all wandering through the glow at their own pace. The festival is thoughtfully laid out so you can start at Reno City Plaza and meander block by block, letting the art and music pull you in whatever direction feels right. There's no set route, no schedule to follow — just exploration.

Worth the Drive from Truckee

For those of us who live in the Truckee-Tahoe area, Reno is just a quick trip over the hill — and the Western Lights Festival is absolutely worth the drive. It runs for three evenings each February, from 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM, so the timing is perfect for a dinner-and-art kind of night out. Pack a warm jacket (it's February in the high desert, after all), and plan to walk — the best way to experience the festival is entirely on foot.

All of my Western Lights Festival photographs are available as fine art prints in my Reno Area Gallery. Whether you're looking for a bold, colorful piece for your home or office, or just want to relive the magic of the night, I hope these images capture some of what made this event so memorable. Prints are available in a wide range of sizes and materials.

I can't wait to go back next year — and I hope to see you there.

— Scott

All photographs © Scott Thompson / Scott Shots Photography. Available as large fine art prints at truckeetahoephotos.com.