San Francisco Travel Association Announces Revised Dates for San Francisco “Illuminate SF Festival of Light” Tours in December

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Illuminate SF Festival of Light Added to Calendar of Prestigious International Light Art Group

Revised dates have been announced for five free tours (including one by bicycle) that are the centerpiece of San Francisco’s Illuminate SF Festival of Light (http://www.illuminatesf.com). Led by Robin Marks of Discovery Street Tours, the itineraries include dramatic light art works and exclusive access to artists, locations and experiences.

Held during the longest nights of the year – Thanksgiving through New Year’s Day - the Illuminate SF Festival of Light celebrates 27 dramatic, eco-friendly light art installations accessible by public transport and free for all ages.

The works come to life at dusk throughout 12 San Francisco neighborhoods with a luminescence that will turn any evening into an illuminating adventure, especially when combined with exploring San Francisco’s world-class museums, galleries performing arts centers, restaurants and cultural events in neighborhoods along the waterfront, in North Beach, Civic Center, Central Market, the Inner Sunset, SOMA, Potrero, Mission Bay, Bayview, Golden Gate Park, the Mission District and even flying in or out of San Francisco International Airport (SFO).

The revised dates for five free Illuminate SF Festival of Light tours are as follows:

  • North Beach and Embarcadero Light Art Tour - Dec. 3, 2015, 6 p.m. at Jack Kerouac Alley near Columbus Avenue. This motorized cable car and walking tour includes; Language of the Birds with artists Brian Goggin and Dorka Keehn, the brilliant and interactive sculpture Soma by artists the Flaming Lotus Girls and participants will witness the testing of The Bay Lights in preparation for the Grand Relighting on Jan. 30, 2016. Tours end with an optional visit to the Exploratorium's After Dark: Glow event.
  • Central Market and Civic Center Light Art Tour - Dec. 10, 2015, 6 p.m. at the Federal Building, 90 Seventh St. This walking tour includes, Skygarden by renowned artist James Turrell, Constellation by Nayland W. Blake, at the San Francisco Public Library, "... and my room still rocks like a boat on the sea” (Caruso’s Dream) with one of the artists, Brian Goggin, and Eric Staller with his Lightmobile, a Volkswagen Beetle lit with 1,659 lamps.
  • Dogpatch and Bayview Light Art Tour - Dec. 11, 2015, 5:30 p.m. at Museum of Craft and Design, 2569 Third St. This motorized cable car and walking tour includes the Museum of Craft and Design and other surprise stops, plus Bayview Rise by artist team Haddad-Drugan with Port of San Francisco’s David Beaupre demonstrating how the imagery appears animated due to the programmed illumination of the mural's different colors.
  • Yerba Buena Museums Light Art Tour - Dec. 17, 2015, 6 p.m. at California Historical Society, 678 Mission St. This walking tour includes Elise Baldwin’s projected-light installation Field of Vision, PaRDes, Yud and the Lamp of the Covenant at the Contemporary Jewish Museum, plus Lightswarm and Murmur Wall, two temporary installations by Future Cities Lab commissioned by the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts.
  • Illuminate Your Ride Light Art Bike Tour - Dec. 20, 2015, 6 p.m. at Cupid's Span in Rincon Park, Embarcadero. Take a fun and easy illuminated bike ride on a mostly flat, four to five mile route beginning at the bow-and-arrow sculpture Cupid's Span by Claes Oldenburg and Coosje van Bruggen. The route passes holiday light and light art works including Soma, Skygarden, "...and my room still rocks like a boat on the sea" (Caruso's Dream), Murmur Wall, Lightswarm, Yud and PaRDes with brief stops for socializing along the way.

Reservations are required and last year’s tours filled quickly. Visit http://illuminatesf.com/posts/sto/guided-tours for full tour details and to sign up.

The third annual Illuminate SF Festival of Light (Nov. 26, 2015-Jan. 1, 2016) has been added to the calendar of light art festivals around the world by the prestigious Lighting Urban Community International (LUCI). One of only two events in the United States to be included, San Francisco’s festival is listed at http://www.luciassociation.org/festivals-americas.

LUCI is an international network that brings together cities and lighting professionals engaged in using light as a major tool for sustainable urban, social and economic development. Created in 2002, at the behest of the City of Lyon, France, LUCI has more than 100 members, comprising some 70 cities in four continents and 40 associated members (international companies, lighting designers and architects, universities, independent lighting professionals, etc.).    

“Being associated with LUCI truly reflects San Francisco’s prominence in the international world of light art,” said Lisa Hasenbalg, senior director of arts and culture strategy with the San Francisco Travel Association, the destination marketing organization for the city of San Francisco.    

The San Francisco Travel Association is the official destination marketing organization for the City and County of San Francisco. For information on reservations, activities and more, visit http://www.sanfrancisco.travel, read the Visitors Planning Guide or call 415-391-2000. San Francisco Travel also operates Visitor Information Centers at Hallidie Plaza, 900 Market Street at the corner of Powell and Market streets and on the lower level of Macy’s Union Square. For more information, visit http://www.sanfrancisco.travel.

American Express® is the official Card partner of the San Francisco Travel Association.

San Francisco International Airport (SFO) offers non-stop flights to more than 39 international cities on 33 international carriers. The Bay Area's largest airport connects non-stop with 77 cities in the U.S. on 14 domestic airlines. SFO is proud to offer upgraded free Wi-Fi with no advertising. For up-to-the-minute departure and arrival information, airport maps and details on shopping, dining, cultural exhibitions, ground transportation and more, visit http://www.flysfo.com. Follow us on http://www.twitter.com/flysfo and http://www.facebook.com/flysfo.

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Laurie Armstrong
San Francisco Travel Association
+1 (415) 227-2615
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