In this series, we explore projection mapping projects around the globe! From shows on Australia’s iconic Sydney Opera House to Romania’s massive parliament building, we’re displaying some of the hottest monthly global projects.

Let's Glow SF, the nation's largest free holiday projection arts festival, just made a triumphant return to downtown San Francisco for its fifth and grandest year yet! Let’s check out this unforgettable celebration of creativity, community, and holiday spirit.

Several Global Artists, Eight Landmark Locations

Organized by the Downtown SF Partnership, the free event transformed major downtown sites into an open-air art gallery over December 5-14, 2025. And this year’s festival expanded its footprint to eight landmark locations, including the recently renovated Transamerica Pyramid Center for the first time!

Artists from around the world, including several locals, created 19 custom works for the event. Jacob Stephens of San Rafael, for instance, presented Gingerbread Mania, transforming buildings into enormous gingerbread houses using light.

The festival also featured a new interactive element this year — six radiant icebergs that played songs when you turned a dial.

Behind the Magic: The Festival’s History and Tech

The inaugural Let's Glow SF started in 2021, designed to bring vibrancy and visitors back to the city’s core during the winter season by transforming several downtown buildings with large-scale projection mapping.

Recognizing the need to invigorate the central business district, Downtown SF Partnership collaborated with A3 Visual and Panasonic to launch the event. The experience resulted in a remarkable increase in foot traffic throughout the Financial District and created an impressive economic impact of over $2 million in the first year alone.

Since 2021, Let’s Glow has continued to expand, becoming an annual December tradition, producing economic benefits, and attracting tens of thousands of attendees. For the 2024 event, A3 Visual and Downtown SF Partnership deployed 13 Panasonic high-brightness, high-resolution PT-RQ35 3-Chip DLP 4K projectors, bringing the holiday spirit to others with its stunning visuals. And in 2025, the event was a major success once again!

Watch Now

To learn more and catch a glimpse of the festival, check out the video below.

FAQ

What Locations Did Let’s Glow SF Hit?

This year’s festival expanded to eight landmark locations. The locations included:

1. Ferry Building — Historic Embarcadero landmark and a key festival hub.
2. East Cut Electric (424 Folsom St) — A dynamic projection site in The East Cut neighborhood.
3. 101 California Street — Iconic downtown skyscraper canvas.
4. Mechanics Monument Plaza (488 Market St) — Public plaza with lively projections and art.
5. Yerba Buena Lane at Market St. — Vibrant street-level projection zone.
6. Hobart Building (828 Market St) — Historic architectural canvas in the Financial District.
7. Pacific Exchange (301 Pine St) — Former stock exchange building lit up with festive visuals.
8. Transamerica Pyramid Center (600 Montgomery St) — Newly included projection site nestled at the base of the Transamerica Pyramid.

Can You Use Projection Mapping to Decorate Your House for the Holidays?

Yep, there are lots of creative ways to decorate for the holiday season! Considerations for holiday projection mapping typically include the house size, color, windows, location, and more. Additionally, check out this guide to learn all about Christmas projector lights!

How can you support the next generation of tech enthusiasts?

During this season of giving, consider supporting the future of our industry through the AVIXA Foundation. Donating to the AVIXA Foundation directly funds scholarships, important AV skills training, and career opportunities for next gen talent. To donate, use this link.

Wait, why was New Orleans’ beloved light and art festival, LUNA Fête, cancelled in 2025? Will it ever return? More news here!

Image Credit: SFMTA