The Christmas lights in Turin are more than a seasonal display. Luci d’Artista places contemporary light works across the city’s arcades, piazzas, bridges and cultural sites.
The 2026 edition, Memorie e sogni futuri — Memories and Future Dreams — is curated by Antonio Grulli. It brings together established installations and four new commissions by Tony Oursler, Flavio Favelli, CANEMORTO and Samson Young.
Luci d’Artista 2026: dates and inauguration
Turin’s Luci d’Artista runs from Friday 23 October 2026 until Sunday 10 January 2027. This is the event’s 29th edition, organised by the City of Turin with Fondazione Torino Musei.
The opening night takes the form of a public walking tour connecting five installations. It begins at 6.15 pm outside the Politecnico di Torino, on Corso Duca degli Abruzzi.
- 6.15 pm — Politecnico di Torino: Star(life)* by Tony Oursler, accompanied by the Municipal Police Corps musical band.
- 6.50 pm — OGR Torino: Inversions by Samson Young.
- 7.30 pm — Piazza Palazzo di Città: Daniel Buren’s Tappeto Volante, with a performance by the Municipal Police Corps musical band.
- 8 pm — Piazzetta Reale: Poetiche del confine by Flavio Favelli, with the artist attending.
- 10 pm — Piazzale Valdo Fusi: The Radiant Van by CANEMORTO, with the artists attending.
New Luci d’Artista installations for 2026
Four new works join the programme this year, appearing across the west, centre and south-east of Turin.
Tony Oursler: Star(life) at the Politecnico di Torino*
American artist Tony Oursler presents Star(life)* at the Politecnico di Torino, on Corso Duca degli Abruzzi. Oursler’s work often combines video, projection and sculptural forms, giving everyday objects an uneasy, playful presence.
Samson Young: Inversions at OGR Torino
Hong Kong artist and composer Samson Young brings Inversions to OGR Torino, at Corso Castelfidardo 22. The former railway workshops are now a major arts and events venue, making this a useful stop for anyone pairing the installations with exhibitions or concerts.
Flavio Favelli: Poetiche del confine at Piazzetta Reale
Flavio Favelli presents Poetiche del confine — Poetics of the Border — in Piazzetta Reale, beside the Musei Reali. The work sits within Turin’s royal quarter, close to Piazza Castello, Palazzo Reale and the Cathedral of Saint John the Baptist.
CANEMORTO: The Radiant Van across Turin
Artist trio CANEMORTO presents The Radiant Van, a travelling installation rather than a fixed display. It opens at Piazzale Valdo Fusi and is expected to appear elsewhere in the city during the season. Specific locations and dates should be confirmed through the official programme.
Classic Luci d’Artista works to see in Turin
The 2026 route includes many of the pieces people associate most closely with Turin’s winter evenings. Several are close enough to combine into one central walk.
Il volo dei numeri at Mole Antonelliana
Mario Merz’s Il volo dei numeri — Flight of the Numbers — climbs the Mole Antonelliana, Turin’s best-known landmark. The glowing Fibonacci sequence rises up the building’s spire, making it visible from several points around the city.
Tracey Emin’s Sex and Solitude at Giardini Reali
Tracey Emin’s handwritten neon work, Sex and Solitude, returns to the Giardini Reali. It sits beside the royal museums and gives the historic centre a sharp contemporary contrast.
Daniel Buren’s Tappeto Volante in Piazza Palazzo di Città
Daniel Buren’s Tappeto Volante, meaning Flying Carpet, is one of the event’s historic works. Its geometric strips of coloured light are suspended above Piazza Palazzo di Città, close to Via Garibaldi and Piazza Castello.
Rebecca Horn’s Piccoli spiriti blu at Monte dei Cappuccini
Rebecca Horn’s Piccoli spiriti blu — Little Blue Spirits — appears at Monte dei Cappuccini, on the hill above the Po. The blue forms are most rewarding after a clear sunset, when the city lights stretch below.
Marco Gastini’s light work at Galleria Umberto I
Marco Gastini’s L’energia che unisce si espande nel blu — The Energy that Unites Expands into the Blue — is installed in Galleria Umberto I. This covered passage near Porta Palazzo gives the route a rain-proof stop, useful during Turin’s damp winter evenings.
Michelangelo Pistoletto’s Amare le differenze at Porta Palazzo
Michelangelo Pistoletto’s Amare le differenze — Loving the Differences — is installed at Piazza della Repubblica, beneath the Tettoia dell’Orologio at Porta Palazzo. The square is home to one of Europe’s largest open-air markets, although its main daytime market atmosphere is a separate experience from the evening lights.
Other Christmas events in Turin
The lights pair beautifully with the seasonal scene, boasting plenty of things to do in Turin. Thanks to the city’s cooler climate, it’s a great Italian city for a winter getaway if you’re looking for that crisp and fresh wintery air.
Family fun often includes pop‑up ice rinks and small fairground rides dotted around the centre. The Palavela ice rink, which has hosted professional competitions, including the 2025 figure skating games and 2006 Winter Olympics, is a popular spot for keen skaters.
Christmas markets typically cluster in central spots like Piazza Castello and Borgo Dora, plus Susa‘s La Magia del Natale Christmas Market is an annual highlight.
Concerts and cultural events also orbit the main installations throughout the season under the Accademia della Luce programme. The calendar typically adds music, talks, guided activities and family workshops scheduled alongside specific works.
Refuel the Turinese way by trying some typical Italian festive treats. A cup of steaming bicerin in a historic café, a few irresistible gianduiotti, and a slice of panettone as you plan your next lap. If you’ve got extra days, branch out to pretty snowy villages in Piedmont for smaller markets and hillside viewpoints.
Planning a winter break in Italy
If you’re timing Luci d’Artista with a wider December trip, anchor your nights in Turin and layer in festive Italian traditions. Deciding where else to go in Italy in December can be tricky, but a good way to start is by picking the sort of climate you fancy, whether that’s crisp days in the snow or warm winter sun.
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Source: https://www.idealista.it/