LIGHT FESTIVALS AROUND THE WORLD

1. Amsterdam Light Festival (27 November-18 January): One of the light art festivals you can enjoy from the comfort of a boat, Amsterdam’s offering stretches from November right through until January. As well as canal-cruising, they’re also putting light art up in shops, cafes and museums so you can enjoy much of it out of the cold. You need to pay for the boat trip, but the exhibits are for free.

2. Berlin Festival of Lights (10-19 October): For ten days, Berlin’s most famous monuments and landmarks are lit by many local and international artists. Aside from the light projections, the Festival of Lights also includes various art and music events as well as guided tours that go by the name LightSeeing: Visitors can tour the highlights of the festival by bus, boat or, of course, on foot. You just pay a small amount of money for these tours.

3. Vivid Sydney (27 May-18 June): Vivid Sydney is a 23-day festival of light, music and ideas. It transforms Sydney into a wonderland of 'light art' sculptures for all to enjoy - for free. It is a magical celebration of light-design excellence and the world's largest outdoor 'art-gallery'.

4. Illuminating York (26-29 October): One of England's most historic cities also holds one of its most historic light shows. It encourages the exploration of the city through the imagination of artists, using the light in all its forms. There’s a small charge for the entry.

5. Lyon Festival of Lights (8-11 December): Short and sweet, Lyon's light show sees over 70 light installations displayed around the city over a four day period. The Fetes Des Lumieres (in French) attracts millions of attendees from both France and abroad. It is a truly magical way to spend the evening, and to start the end of year holidays in the most beautiful way possible – for free.