LUNA Fête celebrates a decade of light and innovation December 7 – 10, with LUNA Fête X, the annual free festival of light, art, and technology. Widely acclaimed for highlighting cutting-edge artworks, this milestone year represents a departure from tradition as LUNA Fête X extends its influence across both banks of the Mississippi River, forging new partnerships with the City of Gretna, with LUNA Fête West: River Connections. There is also a partner event, Supernova, taking place along Lafitte Greenway.

Produced by Arts New Orleans and presented by the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center and New Orleans and Company, LUNA Fête X is set to transform downtown with a series of awe-inspiring light-based sculptures. Local and international artists will converge to present a captivating visual spectacle.

The festival will be filled with interactive installations from national and international light, art, and technology artists at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, from Julia Street to Hall F.. Featured Artists Include: Nicholas Lavella, Adam Santa Cruz, Anaisa Franco, Arts New Orleans’ Young Artist Movement, Monica Kelly, Antonia Zennaro, David Sullivan, Muffin Bernstein, Emmanuel Uno, Marcus Brown, Monique Lorden and Carlos Zervigon.

In additional to the unique art experience, attendees can enjoy an array of local favorite live performances which include live music, DJ’s, a silent disco, and a local arts market for holiday shopping this year. The musical lineup for the Julia Street stage includes DJ Kuti, Gladney, ÌFÉ, Wino Willy, Charm Taylor, Saint Amethyst and Lil Jodeci. On Friday and Sunday, attendees can view an illuminated fashion show showcasing the newest collections of lighted designs by Afrimodiste (Renee Johnson) and KAYIE (Van Shawn Branch).  Special guests, Dohm Collective, will be providing a four-night live music and silent disco showcase in the heart of the festival located at Convention Center Hall H featuring local New Orleans collectives, labels, and artists.

While all events are free and open to the public, there will be an additional ticketed attraction this year. The Daedalum Luminarium is an immersive creation by Alan Parkinson of Architects of Air, situated at Mississippi River Heritage Park across the street from the Convention Center. This monumental inflatable sculpture invites visitors to explore cavernous domes and enchanting tunnels in a multi-sensory experience of light, color, and sound. The exhibit is wheelchair accessible, and inviting to all ages. Due to limited capacity, Daedalum will be a ticketed experience, open from 6 – 10 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, and from 3:30 – 10 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are available on-site and in advance. Children under age 5 are free, children ages 5-9 are $5, and general admission is $10. Learn more at www.lunafete.org.

On the West Bank, Gretna’s City Hall will offer attendees captivating projections on the hour from 6 – 9 p.m.. The Memory of Miss River, by Cristina Molina, imagines the Mississippi River’s history through narrative prose and videography. Eco-Logic, by Courtney Egan along with Young Audiences Charter School students, focuses on the thriving flora and fauna along the river and River Journey, by David Sullivan, explores its beauty and history through boats.

The Gretna Amphitheater at 1st and Huey P. Long Avenue will present a water-based light projection, Interwoven, hourly starting at 6:30 p.m with a final showing at 8:30 p.m.. Using the Mississippi River water as a screen, viewers can witness mesmerizing holographic illusions set to music which explores the connection between humans and nature.

Other attractions include a Giant Turtle Lantern Puppet created by Whatchamapuppet and a creative community experience in Gretna’s Memorial Square which features local choirs, a “light your bike” station, a Christmas Market, scenes from the Nutcracker Suite and more.

To make both events more accessible, the RTA Gretna Ferry will offer rides to and from LUNA Fête X and LUNA Fête West at the following times: Canal St. to Gretna Ferry will run every hour from 5:30 – 9:30 p.m., the Gretna to Canal St. Ferry will run every hour from  6 – 10 p.m.. For more information on the West Bank celebration be sure to check out www.gretnala.com/lunafete.

Arts New Orleans’ events helped inspire Supernova on the Greenway, running consecutively with LUNA Fête from December 7th to 9th, further enhancing the city’s cultural offerings. Since 2016, Arts New Orleans and Friends of Lafitte Greenway have partnered to bring multiple public artworks to the vibrant Greenway, including light sculptures Turning by Michel Varisco, Iris of Memory by William Nemitoff and a mural by Arts New Orleans’ Young Artist Movement (YAM) and Keith Duncan.

Supernova will be showcasing light-art installations from New Orleans and boasts an impressive music lineup on two stages that include performances from SaxKixAve, Margie Perez, Bon Bon ViVant, Sierra Green & The Giants, Sweet Magnolia, Tiny Dinosaur and more. You can also enjoy dining from local food vendors and holiday shopping at their art market. Learn more about this event on the Supernova website here.

LUNA Fête celebrates