Visiting Llum BCN

Llum BCN is a nocturnal festival — the magic only happens after dark. Over three nights, the streets of Poblenou and Glòries come alive with glowing installations, projection mapping, and interactive light art. It’s free to attend, and no tickets are required for the outdoor exhibits.

Festival Hours

• Friday: 19:00h to 01:00h
• Saturday: 20:00h to 01:00h
• Sunday: 19:00h to 23:00h

Design Museum Exhibits

• Friday: 19:00h to 01:00h
• Saturday & Sunday: 10:00h to 18:00h (daytime) and 19:00h to closing (festival hours)

The Barcelona Design Museum (Disseny Hub) and Torre Glòries are great starting points. From there, you can explore installations scattered across pedestrian streets, plazas, and building façades. Note that while most streets are pedestrianized, some roads remain open to traffic — stay alert when crossing between exhibits.

The Mirador Glòries observation deck offers a 50% discount during the festival. It’s open during the day and provides panoramic views of the city — a great pre-festival activity before the lights come on.

Food & Drink

There are plenty of street food trucks, pop-up bars, and nearby restaurants in the area. Whether you’re after a quick bite or a sit-down meal, Poblenou has options ranging from burgers and bao buns to Catalan tapas and craft beer.

Best Photography Spots at Llum BCN

Whether you're chasing light trails, architectural contrasts, or immersive installations, Llum BCN offers plenty of eye candy for your camera roll. Here are the top spots to capture the glow:

1. Glòries Tram Station

Once a tangled overpass, Plaça de les Glòries is now a pedestrian park and transport hub. From the Glòries Tram Station, you get a dramatic view of the illuminated Torre Glòries and the Barcelona Design Museum. The contrast between the glowing bullet-shaped tower and the angular museum façade makes for a striking night shot.

Pro Tip: Use the tram tracks as leading lines and shoot during blue hour for layered light.

2. Pedestrian Bridge near Disseny Hub

This elevated walkway offers a clean vantage point over the festival’s central installations. From here, you can frame the Design Museum façade projections and catch light trails from trams and bikes below.

Pro Tip: Bring a tripod for long exposures and shoot toward Diagonal for depth.

3. Parc Central del Poblenou

Further into Sant Martí, this park hosts some of the most interactive and immersive installations. Think glowing tunnels, mirrored sculptures, and walk-through light fields — perfect for portraits and reels.

Pro Tip: Use portrait mode and shoot low to exaggerate the scale of the installations.

4. Diagonal Office Façades

Several corporate buildings along Avinguda Diagonal lend their façades to projection mapping. These towering canvases often feature abstract visuals, typography, or animated sequences that look stunning from street level.

Pro Tip: Stand across the street for full-frame shots and wait for transitions to catch motion blur.

5. Mirador Glòries (Daytime Bonus)

Before the lights come on, head up to the Mirador Glòries observation deck for panoramic views of the city. It’s open during the day and offers a unique perspective on the festival’s layout — plus a great skyline shot to contrast with your night photos.

Pro Tip: Use a wide lens and shoot toward the sea for layered cityscapes.

6. National Theater of Catalonia

Just a short walk from Glòries, the National Theater of Catalonia (Teatre Nacional de Catalunya) adds a dramatic twist to the festival’s visual palette. Its modern glass façadegarden-based light installations during Llum BCN. The contrast between classical form and contemporary lighting creates a surreal, theatrical atmosphere.

Pro Tip: Frame your shot from the garden side to capture reflections in the glass and the symmetry of the columns. Ideal for wide-angle night shots and silhouette portraits.

7. Can Framis Museum Courtyard

Hidden among the glass towers and tech offices of Poblenou, the Can Framis Museum offers a quieter, more reflective corner of the festival. This contemporary art museum, part of the Fundació Vila Casas, often hosts light-based installations in its open-air courtyard during Llum BCN. The works here tend to be more conceptual — and often unapologetically political — tapping into Catalonia’s deep well of cultural identity and social commentary.

Pro Tip: Visit just after sunset to catch the interplay of natural twilight and artificial light. The museum’s stone walls and minimalist layout make a clean backdrop for moody, high-contrast shots.

Accessibility, Safety & What to Take With You

• Some installations feature flashing lights and deep bass sounds, which may not be suitable for visitors with light sensitivity or sensory conditions.
• Street lighting is intentionally reduced in certain areas to enhance the visual impact of the artworks — stay alert and watch your step when moving between installations.
• The festival is fully accessible, with ramps and wide pedestrian paths. However, some older streets may have uneven surfaces, so take care if using mobility aids or strollers.

Expect to walk a fair bit between installations, so wear comfortable shoes. February nights in Barcelona can be chilly, especially with coastal winds, so a warm jacket is essential. The exhibits are free to enjoy, and if you're aiming for a zero-cost night out, bring a small rucksack with your own drinks — water, wine, or even a cheeky sangria.

Tickets for Llum BCN

Getting to Llum BCN

Festival Location: Plaça de les Glòries, Barcelona, 08018

Llum BCN is easily accessible via public transport, with multiple metro and tram options serving the Glòries and Poblenou districts. The best way to reach the festival is by Barcelona Metro:

• Red Line (L1): Get off at Glòries for direct access to the central installations. Marina station also connects to the lower streets of the festival route.
• Yellow Line (L4): Use Poblenou, Bogatell, or Llacuna stations to explore the installations in the Sant Martí area.

The Barcelona Tram also runs along Avinguda Meridiana and Avinguda Diagonal, offering convenient stops near the festival zone. For a full overview of transport options, check the Barcelona Travel Hacks Llum BCN transport map in the documents section.

Tickets & Travel Cards

For single journeys, use a T-Casual ticket. If you plan to explore other parts of the city during your visit, consider the Hola Barcelona Travel Card — it offers unlimited travel on metro, bus, tram, and train networks within the city.

Documents for Llum BCN

Weather for Llum BCN

Where to stay overnight near Glóries

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