LUMENAURA®
What is LUMENAURA®?
The City of Aurora’s inaugural illuminated art experience lit areas of downtown Aurora throughout October 2024!
LUMENAURA® features immersive light-and-sound-based installations, magical projection mapping, interactive street art, dazzling live entertainment, a variety of food and beverage options, and more. Visitors are guided along a path throughout downtown Aurora while interacting with free and family-friendly art and sound displays that are unlike anything they have experienced!
The unifying theme of 2024's event is “portals.” Portals to the past, future, across space, or to a parallel universe were included in creating literal or conceptual interpretations of the theme.
LUMENAURA® Fest Weekend (October 11-13, 2024)
LUMENAURA Fest Weekend will brighten the lights, with a wide array of interactive and multi-sensory entertainment extending further throughout downtown Aurora. Attendees will travel through portals, feast their eyes on one-of-a-kind illuminated art, collaborate on artistic activities, and dance to music on the main stage. George Berlin and XO Immersive will paint buildings with large-scale projection art. Miguel Gonzalez and Liviu Pasare will bring custom art installations to life. Festivalgoers will be treated to the creative designs of Alec Rudek, Adam Molski, and Brittany Harthan. Even getting to the festival is fun – in custom-designed LUMENAURA Metra cars.
Inside Straight Productions has artfully curated a lineup of roving and tertiary entertainment to greet attendees with dancers, jugglers, musicians, and sideshow performers at every turn. Additionally, LUMENAURA Fest visitors can participate in scavenger hunts, light painting, virtual reality drone flights, and hidden portal discovery quests.
The Main Stage entertainment is equally illuminating, featuring some of Illinois' best musical acts.
(takes place at 65 S. Water Street aka "Lot B" - across from Aurora City Hall)
The main stage schedule is as follows:
| Friday - October 11, 2024 (6:00 P.M. - 10:00 P.M.) | Saturday - October 12, 2024 (6:00 P.M. - 10:00 P.M.) | Sunday - October 13, 2024 (6:00 P.M. - 9:00 P.M.) |
| 8:30 P.M. – Charlie Otto (Live Electronic Dance) | 8:15 P.M. – Terrapin Flyer (Grateful Dead Tribute) | 8:00 P.M. – DJ Crew, Led by Sarah Hartman of R34L |
| 7:45 P.M. – Wild Card (Aerialists/Acrobats), DJs | 7:45 P.M. – Raks Inferno (Fire Dancers/Jugglers), DJs | 7:45 P.M. – Lighted Drone Display - CANCELED DUE TO HIGH WINDS |
| 6:00 P.M. – Vibe Music Live (R&B/Hip-Hop cover band) | 6:00 P.M. – Chicha Roots (Cumbia/Indigenous/Rock) | 6:00 P.M. – DJ Crew, Led by Sarah Hartman of R34L |
Meet The Team
2024 LUMENAURA Daily Programming for the Sonic Runway!
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All events take place on Water Street in downtown Aurora, 6-8 pm
LUMENAURA® has finished this stageunless otherwise noted
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Friday, October 4
LUMENAURA® has finished this stageFIRST FRIDAYS WITH AURORA DOWNTOWN FEATURING EDM MUSIC FROM DJ BUTTER!
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Saturday, October 5
LUMENAURA® has finished this stageINDIAN AMERICAN OUTREACH ADVISORY BOARD SONIC RUNWAY TAKEOVER!
Music and performances.
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Sunday, October 6
LUMENAURA® has finished this stageSOUTHPAW FROM THE CHICAGO WHITE SOX TAKES OVER THE SONIC RUNWAY!
Southpaw will stop by for photos and fun from 6:00-7:45 PM!
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Wednesday, October 9
LUMENAURA® has finished this stageAURORA HISPANIC HERITAGE ADVISORY BOARD SONIC RUNWAY TAKEOVER!
The Sonic Runway will be programmed with Hispanic music!
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Thursday, October 10
LUMENAURA® has finished this stageLUMENAURA LINE DANCE with Saddle Up!
Whether you’re looking to try something new or have been two-stepping for years, join Kevin from Saddle Up at Q in Aurora for line dancing under the Sonic Runway!
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Friday, October 11 - Sunday, October 13
LUMENAURA® has finished this stageLUMENAURA FEST WEEKEND
(takes place at 65 S. Water Street aka "Lot B" - across from Aurora City Hall)
FRIDAY (10/11) LUMENAURA FEST AFTERPARTY
at Two Brothers Roundhouse
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Wednesday, October 16
LUMENAURA® has finished this stageFIRST RESPONDER LIGHT SHOW with Aurora Police Department, Aurora Fire Department, and Aurora’s Emergency Management Agency!
Emergency response professionals from the City of Aurora will have a variety of emergency management vehicles on display in Lot B (directly across Downtown Pl. from Aurora City Hall) with their lights on and plenty of outreach information/goodies to share!
PLUS... CLARK THE CUB, THE OFFICIAL MASCOT OF THE CHICAGO CUBS, WILL BE MAKING AN APPEARANCE!
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Thursday, October 17
LUMENAURA® has finished this stageAFRICAN AMERICAN OUTREACH ADVISORY BOARD SONIC RUNWAY TAKEOVER!
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Friday, October 18
LUMENAURA® has finished this stageDANCE PARTY UNDER THE SONIC RUNWAY: HIP-HOP NIGHT!
Gather your party people and head to LUMENAURA as DJ ELI will take you back to the golden age of hip hop! From Run-D.M.C to Beastie Boys to LL Cool J… dust off your shell toes, throw on that Kangol, and get ready for an old-school jam session under the Sonic Runway! -
Saturday, October 19
LUMENAURA® has finished this stageALL OUT 80'S MUSIC ON THE SONIC RUNWAY!
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Sunday, October 20
LUMENAURA® has finished this stageGROOVE UNDER THE ARCHES WITH SOLEUNIQUE DANCE COMPLEX!
Join the youth dancers from Soleunique Dance Complex for a lit-up performance sure to awaken your senses and imagination. Visitors will see dancers in glow-in-the-dark outfits performing lively routines under the Sonic Runway!
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Wednesday, October 23
LUMENAURA® has finished this stageTHE CHICAGO BEARS' STALEY DA BEAR TAKES OVER THE SONIC RUNWAY!
*scheduled to appear 6:15-7:00 PM*
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Thursday, October 24
LUMENAURA® has finished this stageAURORA LGBTQ+ ADVISORY BOARD SONIC RUNWAY TAKEOVER!
details coming soon!
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Friday, October 25
LUMENAURA® has finished this stageCIRCUS NIGHT ON THE SONIC RUNWAY!
Enjoy free family-friendly entertainment including a stilt walker, face painter, balloon artist, magician, and juggler! -
Saturday, October 26
LUMENAURA® has finished this stageDANCE PARTY UNDER THE SONIC RUNWAY: TSWIFT NIGHT!
DJ ELI will make you feel like you’re “22” under the Sonic Runway! Join us for an “Enchanted” night filled with “Style” where every beat tells a “Love Story.” Don’t miss this chance to be part of a celebration that will leave you feeling “Fearless.” -
Sunday, October 27
LUMENAURA® has finished this stageTRIBUTE TO LIAM PAYNE ON THE SONIC RUNWAY
Join us for a tribute event celebrating the career of Liam Payne at Water Street Mall. Experience a synchronized light and sound show on the Sonic Runway, featuring the greatest hits of One Direction and Liam Payne's solo career. Watch as lights dance in perfect harmony with the music that defined a generation. It's a night of nostalgia and celebration.
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Wednesday, October 30
LUMENAURA® has finished this stageCITY OF AURORA MUSIC, EVENTS, & ENTERTAINMENT COMMISSION SONIC RUNWAY TAKEOVER!
details coming soon!
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Thursday, October 31
LUMENAURA® has finished this stageAURORA UNIVERSITY’S HALLOWEEN PARTY ON THE SONIC RUNWAY!
Join Aurora University under the Sonic Runway on Water Street for costume contests, student group activities, crafts, candy/snacks, and prizes! -
Friday, November 1
LUMENAURA® is currently at this stageFIRST FRIDAYS WITH AURORA DOWNTOWN FEATURING HISPANIC MUSIC FROM DJ BUTTER!
LUMENAURA Blanket Fort Portal Party
Opening Reception: October 4, 6 PM-9 PM
Exhibit Display: October 4 - November 2, 2024
Regular Gallery Hours: Monday - Wednesday 12-4 PM; Saturday 10 AM – 4 PM
20 E. Downer Place (Third Floor Gallery)
Join us for a very special gallery opening! Immerse yourself in the community activation of the third-floor gallery at 20 East Downer Place in the Aurora Historic Society building. This gallery activation has been a collaboration between the Aurora extension campus, East Aurora High School, Waubonsee Community College, Aurora University, and other communities. Thanks to LUMENAURA Teaching Artists Rita Grendze and Brittany Harthan.
