BUY TICKETS HERE!

VOLUNTEER AT THE AUTUMN LIGHTS FESTIVAL HERE!

The festival welcomes over 1,000 children and adults to take a nighttime stroll through the gardens, where they encounter enchanting illuminated art installations set among the flowers and trees. The Autumn Lights Festival is a fundraiser for the Gardens at Lake Merritt, a free public garden that truly is the “Green Heart of Oakland.”

Local artists have been selected and invited to create pieces of art that incorporate light in many forms. Last year, over 1000 people attended, and it was a major fundraiser for the Gardens. People who attend get into the spirit, often creating costumes with light!

The Gardens at Lake Merritt depend on donations and volunteer help to stay open.  It has  provided gardening education and experience to generations of Oaklanders.  Here are a few photos from last year’s event:

Image courtesy of: Greg Linhares www.omnisourceimages.com

Glass Artist: Kim Webster www.kwebsterglass.com
Image courtesy of: Greg Linhares www.omnisourceimages.com

Stan Clark’s Space Forest of Inflatable Sacred Space Asparagus Trees

Many congratulations to the artist award winners and honorable mentions at the Autumn Lights Festival. Here is a recap of the results as tallied by Lisa at Another Bullwinkel Show:

Mayor’s Choice Winner:
Stan Clark’s “Moon Ornaments”

Mayor’s Honorable Mentions:
Insect Sciences Museum of California’s “Living Insects Painting”
Ashwin Swamy & Eric Thorne’s “Flowing & Glowing Squid”
Kim Webster’s “Blown Glass Succulents”
Andrea Hurd’s “Seed Fountain for Bees”
The Mother & Toddler’s “Carved Gourds”
Sacred Seed’s “Mudlights”

People’s Choice Awards:
First Place:  Kim Webster’s “Blown Glass Succulents”
Second Place:  Stan Clark’s “Moon Ornaments”
Third Place:  Clive Brown’s “Venusian Love Blossom”

Below are some of our favorite images from the event…

Check out the amazing shots below by Greg Linhares then visit his website to see the rest of his Autumn Lights Festival album.

Image courtesy of: Greg Linhares www.omnisourceimages.com

Glass Artist: Kim Webster www.kwebsterglass.com
Image courtesy of: Greg Linhares www.omnisourceimages.com

Image courtesy of: Greg Linhares www.omnisourceimages.com

We are happy to announce the Autumn Lights Festival fundraiser returns to the Gardens at Lake Merritt from 6pm – 10pm on Friday and Saturday, October 18 & 19, 2013!

Imagine several acres of garden illuminated with amazing and enchanting art installations created by local Bay Area artists. Electric fireflies flickering in the trees, glowing waterfalls, a flock of interactive books, a Polynesian Paradise with hand-crafted tiki lanterns and hula girls projected on palm trees. Fire art cars and live fire performers light the night while music and sound installations surprise at every turn on the garden paths lit with hundreds of luminarias. Attendees are invited to participate during the evening by coming dressed in their most interesting illuminated garden attire.

• Lighted art, fire, and sound installations by Local Bay Area Artists
• Food, Beer & Wine
• Artist’s Museum Store

Tickets

Click here to buy tickets
Tickets are $25 in advance at  or $35 at the gate
Children 3-12 years are half price, free under 3 years
VIP Tickets for 21+ are $50, and are available in advance only. VIP Ticket includes free wine and beer tastings and illumination toys in the VIP lounge.

Artists and Art Installations

Performers and Performance Schedule

Volunteers Needed

If you would like to contribute by volunteering at the Autumn Lights Festival, please fill out and submit this form.

Funds raised will be used for improvements to the Gardens at Lake Merritt for the enjoyment of the entire community.

The Autumn Lights Festival is hosted by the Friends of the Gardens at Lake Merritt and  produced by AnotherBullwinkelShow.

Thank you to our wonderful sponsors:

Get involved

Here are some other ways to join the fun:
Food Vendor Application
Tabling Opportunities & Sponsorship Opportunities
Sponsorship Booth Application

For more information read the press release.

See more photos of last year’s Autumn Lights Festival here on Facebook.

Imagine the Gardens at night filled with lanterns, carved and lit gourds, ponds glowing from submerged bubbles, and electric fireflies flickering in the trees; all created by local artists. Join us in The Gardens at Lake Merritt for Oakland’s Autumn Lights Festival on Saturday, October 13, 2012 from 6-10PM.

For the first time ever, see the Gardens beautifully and artistically illuminated at night. Each garden, including the Palmetum Garden, the Mediterranean Garden, the Japanese Garden, and the Edible Garden, will feature light installations specifically designed to thrill attendees. Live fire art performers will also light the night. Attendees are invited to participate during the evening by creating luminarias and neon bubbles. Music and sound installations will fill the night. Refreshments, a silent auction, and food trucks will add to the festivities.

A fundraiser for the Friends of the Gardens at Lake Merritt, a 501 C-3, event proceeds will be used for Garden improvements for the enjoyment of the entire community.

Tickets include one drink (wine or beer) and are $25 purchased in advance, or $35 at the gate. Purchase your tickets at Autumn Lights Festival in the Gardens at Lake Merritt in Oakland. Note: Children ages 2 and under do not require a ticket.

Sponsored by the Friends of the Gardens at Lake Merritt and the City of Oakland.

Produced by AnotherBullwinkelShow ,  510-548-5335.