14 landmarks in Vancouver with programmed ever-changing lights (PHOTOS)

A growing number of major buildings and landmarks in Vancouver feature special outdoor lighting that not only celebrates and accentuates architectural design details, but also commemorates important cultural occasions, events, anniversaries, and awareness campaigns.

Examples include red and white for Canada Day, the rainbow for LGBTQ Pride, blue and yellow in support of Ukraine in its war against Russia, orange for National Indigenous People’s Day,

Some of these landmarks even accept community requests for consideration to change the lights to certain colours on specific dates to honour a cause.

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The growing number of lighting installations as a permanent building feature have contributed to civic pride and improved the urban vibrancy of Vancouver’s nighttime landscape.

In all applications, the installations use low-energy LED lights with fully programmable lighting technology that enables a kaleidoscope of colours, patterns, and sequences.

The most prominent of these installations are locally designed, installed, and/or operated by Vancouver-based Eos Lightmedia, specifically BC Place Stadium, Science World, Canada Place, and TELUS Garden.

Here is a roundup of 11 landmarks in Vancouver with permanent programmable lighting installations:

VANCOUVER INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT’S CONTROL TOWER

Seen from the ground below or the skies above, the slender concrete base of the air traffic control tower of Vancouver International Airport in Richmond features brilliant programmable lighting.

Light projection from the sidewalk level of Grant McConachie Way shoots upwards to over 300 ft to illuminate the top of the tower.

Special considerations were required for its design, such as a system independent of the airport’s internet system, and precise beam angles and radio frequencies that do not interfere with piloting aircraft and air traffic control communications.

Vancouver Airport control tower lit up in French colours. #YVR #ParisAttacks #PrayForParis pic.twitter.com/DFobxqMuZy

— Paul Schratz (@paulschratz) November 14, 2015

PACIFIC COLISEUM

The newest addition to Vancouver’s collection of illuminated landmarks is Pacific Coliseum at Hastings Park.

In June 2023, the PNE revealed the Pacific Coliseum’s new nighttime look, following the installation of an exterior lighting system that brilliantly lights up each of the stadium’s 108 exterior panels.

There is a light up schedule, but non-profit organizations and charities are also invited to make their own requests.

The Pacific Coliseum is illuminated nightly from sunset to 11 pm.

Today is national Indigenous Peoples Day and to recognize and celebrate the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Métis peoples in Canada, we have lit the Pacific Coliseum up in the colour orange. pic.twitter.com/WBzgCfbEek

— PNE Fair / Playland (@PNE_Playland) June 22, 2023

ROGERS ARENA

The home of the NHL Vancouver Canucks features programmable lighting as well, with the exterior of Rogers Arena illuminated to acknowledge causes and charitable initiatives.

Requests can also be made by organizations to have Rogers Arena lit up in a specific colour.

#Canucks to honour healthcare workers with pink lights at Rogers Arena 💖 https://t.co/ED12yKljML pic.twitter.com/VHJIzuMXJx

— Offside (@OffsideDH) March 26, 2020

HARBOUR CENTRE

The Lookout at Harbour Centre tower saw a major upgrade of its lighting system about six years ago. It is similarly lit up for holidays, events, charitable causes, and other occasions. Special requests can be made by contacting their general hotline.

This is Vancouver’s highest programmable lighting installation, with The Lookout located about 550 ft above street level.

Changing colours wash the top, underside, and spire of the restaurant, and LED nodes highlight and emphasize the outer circumferences of the observation deck level.

 

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Check out @CityofVancouver, Burrard Bridge, @VanConventions Centre, and @VanLookout who will all be lighting up in @CovenantHouseBC blue tonight in support of Sleep Out: Champions Edition!

Thanks for helping to raise awareness about youth homelessness.#CHSleepOut pic.twitter.com/KDzqBnWWKD

— Covenant House Vancouver (@CovenantHouseBC) February 16, 2023

CANADA PLACE

The five landmark sails of Canada Place, which form the roof of the Vancouver Convention Centre’s East Building’s exhibition halls, are illuminated nightly from dusk to dawn.

Managed by the Port of Vancouver, the installation — known as the Sails of Light — are viewable on both sides of the pier.

The port authority accepts special lighting requests for consideration from non-profit and charitable organizations.

In support of World Cancer Day the Canada Place #SailsofLight will be illuminated orange and blue this evening

À l’appui de la Journée mondiale contre le cancer, les #VoilesdeLumière à Canada Place seront illuminées en orange et bleu ce soir pic.twitter.com/WcIkycCF6n

— Canada Place (@CanadaPlace) February 4, 2022

From February 11-27, the Canada Place #SailsofLight will light red, yellow & white to celebrate the Vancouver Winter Mural Festival. The featured colours and shapes are based on Coast Salish weaving patterns that have been in use on these lands since time immemorial pic.twitter.com/dnXE4N83xF

— Canada Place (@CanadaPlace) February 14, 2022

The Canada Place #SailsofLight will be illuminated purple this evening in recognition of Provincial Eating Disorders Awareness Week pic.twitter.com/HlHgmGIwyO

— Canada Place (@CanadaPlace) February 3, 2022

VANCOUVER OLYMPIC CAULDRON

Vancouver Convention Centre’s West Building’s district lighting — large markers/posts and the Vancouver Olympic Cauldron at Jack Poole Plaza — are similarly illuminated to commemorate special events, causes, and awareness campaigns.

Special lighting requests can also be made.

Separately, for a fee, events held at the convention centre can also request for the reignition of the gas flame of the Olympic Cauldron.

VANCOUVER CITY HALL

Vancouver City Hall’s heritage building features a programmable lighting system to similarly recognize important events and cultural occasions.

These programmable LED lights were first installed just in time for the 2010 Olympics, replacing a previous aging lighting system.

There is a schedule of planned lightings. Special requests can be made by eligible groups for eligible reasons.

Vancouver City Hall illuminated and controlled with @ColorKinetics‘ iColor Reach and DMX #vancouver #LED #lighting pic.twitter.com/mEzLdq6u9u

— SLS Group Industries (@SLSGroupInc) March 9, 2015

VAFF founder Barbara Lee kicks off #AsianHeritageMonth with @explorASIAN‘s Bev Naan and Leticia Sanchez at the lighting up of #Vancouver‘s City Hall yesterday evening. Happy Asian Heritage Month! #VAFF

Learn more about this year’s scheduled events at: https://t.co/IhHg1LUok9 pic.twitter.com/BwxJV8TNHO

— Vancouver Asian Film Festival (VAFF) (@VAFFvancouver) May 3, 2019

City Hall and the Burrard Bridge will light up in green, white and red tonight to recognize Italian Heritage Month. pic.twitter.com/HNNVmdFfbi

— City of Vancouver (@CityofVancouver) June 11, 2022

#Vancouver City Hall is lit green tonight as we talk sustainable campuses at #ISCN2017 w @sustainUBC Welcome delegates! #greenestcity pic.twitter.com/hlUCGoJ4BR

— City of Vancouver (@CityofVancouver) June 27, 2017

BURRARD STREET BRIDGE

Similar to Vancouver City Hall, special lighting on the Burrard Street Bridge highlights the Art Deco-style architectural features of the Burrard Street Bridge.

As part of the 2017-completed project of reconfiguring the bridge deck to accommodate permanent bike lanes, install new concrete railings and suicide-prevention barriers, and other upgrades, new programmable LED lighting was installed to illuminate the bridge’s overhead truss and the lamps along the sidewalk.

It follows the same schedule of planned lightings as City Hall, including special requests.

Burrard Bridge construction complete…lights changable #blue#Vancouver pic.twitter.com/hMSLGlknzO

— rap stars (@rapstarsca) October 30, 2017

The Lights On Burrard Bridge https://t.co/YMLRT49M1l pic.twitter.com/KGUsQ1lDFP

— Ken Ohrn (Ridin’ & readin’) (@KenOhrn) October 26, 2017

Love how the decorative lights on the Burrard Street Bridge can be set to different colours. Very festive this weekend!🎄 @CityofVancouver pic.twitter.com/VLyPjVmf05

— David Johnson (@djohnson_vanbc) December 12, 2022

Burrard bridge testing the lights @CBCNews #kitsilano #granvilleisland #artdeco pic.twitter.com/kGevTxkoeM

— derek jones (@dekdj) October 26, 2017

Burrard Street Bridge earlier this week. I’ve seen the lights different colours these last few months, but never a light show like this. #Vancouver pic.twitter.com/021nnz2ANH

— Barry Komar (@barrykomar) July 18, 2021

Burrard bridge lights still purple. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/0yg6njflPF

— DeeLeme (@synkdancer) November 23, 2021

BLOEDEL CONSERVATORY

Located at the very top of Queen Elizabeth Park at Little Mountain, the highest geographical point within Vancouver, the Bloedel Conservatory and its nighttime lights can be seen from some perspectives, where it is not obscured by the park’s tree canopy.

In 2019, the dome’s aging lighting system was upgraded to an energy-efficient LED system with colour-changing programming capabilities for events and occasions. The new system reduced the dome’s lighting energy use by 60% without changing the hours of operation.

Special requests can be made for the colour of the lighting.

@vancouverpride Festival is this weekend! Bloedel Conservatory will be illuminated with a rainbow show every night this week to celebrate 🏳️‍🌈 #vanpride pic.twitter.com/vpJ0Ik5jtv

— Bloedel Conservatory (@BloedelConserv) July 31, 2023

Today, we celebrate and recognize the unique heritage, diverse cultures and outstanding contributions of Inuit, First Nations and Métis peoples. Bloedel Conservatory will be illuminated orange this evening for National Indigenous Peoples Day 🧡#NIPD2023 #NIPDCanada pic.twitter.com/R5k3kUhXbL

— Bloedel Conservatory (@BloedelConserv) June 21, 2023

Bloedel Conservatory will be lit up in green tonight and tomorrow in recognition of the Coronation of His Majesty King Charles III. pic.twitter.com/UuKWVwPAYa

— Bloedel Conservatory (@BloedelConserv) May 6, 2023

Bloedel Conservatory will be illuminated red and blue on April 12 & 13 to recognize Emergency Service Dispatchers & 9-1-1 Awareness Week! #911AwarenessWeek pic.twitter.com/3hhTKFrOaJ

— Bloedel Conservatory (@BloedelConserv) April 12, 2023

Canada joins our #GlobalGreening … here’s Bloedel Conservatory, a conservatory and aviary located at the top of Queen Elizabeth Park in Vancouver pic.twitter.com/nxHbaN5s1K

— Tourism Ireland (@TourismIreland) March 17, 2020

BENTALL CENTRE

Changing-colour programmable LED lights were recently installed on the crowns of the Bentall One and Bentall Two office towers, as part of property owner Hudson Pacific Properties’ multi-faceted strategy of revitalizing the Bentall Centre complex.

This is the first time the towers have seen decorative lighting installed since its temporary lights during Expo ’86.

The lights are illuminated to commemorate celebrations, memorials, sporting events, and seasons.

TELUS GARDEN

The underside of the protruding boxes of the Telus Garden office tower that are cantilevered high above the sidewalks of Seymour Street, West Georgia Street, and Richards Street are animated with programmable LED panels. They recently underwent repairs to replace burnt-out panels.

As well, the office tower’s west facade between the 16th and 18th floors features a projection screen.

Thanks Telus Garden for lighting up purple last night for #WorldPHDay! #PHAwareness @PHACanada @TELUSGarden @TELUS pic.twitter.com/b2otyB53mn

— PHAdvocate (@PHAtoronto) May 7, 2016

Today, TELUS Garden is glowing purple to show our support for ALS Action Canada (@ALSaction) and the 3,000 Canadians living with ALS. Help us #EndALS to find a cure or treatment to this devastating disease by donating today at https://t.co/p7JBwSfgAi pic.twitter.com/CtsirWfyTB

— TELUS (@TELUS) June 2, 2021

BC PLACE STADIUM

Over a decade after it was first built, the Northern Lights display of BC Place Stadium has become a beloved part of downtown Vancouver’s nighttime skyline views, providing the city with a very distinctive visual landmark.

Programmable LED lights are contained within 1,700 panels that enclose the stadium perimeter, stacked four rows high.

This perimeter lighting system is used to enhance nighttime events held within the stadium and also to commemorate cultural occasions, holidays, seasons, and awareness campaigns.

The Northern Lights are lit from 6 am to sunrise, and from sunset to 11 pm on most nights.

Additionally, there are also programmable lights that illuminate the stadium’s white fabric roof.

Special requests can be made for the lighting sequence.

Unfortunately, the visibility of the stadium and its lighting display from False Creek will be almost entirely obscured in the future by tower developments in Northeast False Creek.

Freedom. 🌈 #VanPride pic.twitter.com/77ugT4w6jZ

— Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) August 7, 2023

SCIENCE WORLD

Science World has received quite the glow-up with an all-new lighting system for its landmark dome. A half-year upgrade project concluded in early August 2023 with the first lighting of the dome in a year.

There are now 651 lights, about three times as many as before. And this includes the introduction of inward-facing lights to reflect off the shiny steel dome. It uses new state-of-the-art technology that greatly enhances its programming capabilities.

There is a longstanding tradition of lighting up the dome to commemorate holidays, special occasions, awareness campaigns, and other events. Special requests can be made.

Aerial drone footage of Science World’s new lighting system, showing off some of its greatly enhanced capabilities. 💡😍https://t.co/UbfM1vAevy pic.twitter.com/mqBh6AUsk2

— Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) August 11, 2023

More drone footage of the new dome lights of Science World.https://t.co/UbfM1vAevy pic.twitter.com/YEnyLbreRu

— Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) August 11, 2023

This is quite the nighttime glowup for Science World. 💡😍https://t.co/xMMtZLqAiw pic.twitter.com/Ft5jWTeScx

— Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) August 11, 2023

SKYTRAIN EXPO LINE IN BURNABY

The City of Burnaby is nearing the full completion of its installation of a five-km-long continuous span of programmable LED lighting on the underside of SkyTrain Expo Line’s elevated guideway between Patterson Station and Edmonds Station. The first segment within the Metrotown area was completed in late 2021.

It enables thematic lighting for seasons, holidays, events, and other occasions.

Similar programmable lighting installations for SkyTrain’s elevated guideway in Coquitlam and Richmond, but the Burnaby project for the Expo Line carries more features and is the most extensive. It also doubles as a placemaking project to improve visibility on the BC Parkway walking and cycling pathway, which follows the Expo Line route.

We now have a rainbow railway! 🌈@CityofBurnaby has installed the first segment of programmable LED lighting on #SkyTrain in Metrotown.

By early 2023, 5 km of the Expo Line from Patterson to Edmonds stations will be fully illuminated. #vanpolihttps://t.co/yipZY9CjMh pic.twitter.com/CC0iTtlyq1

— Kenneth Chan (@iamkennethchan) December 17, 2021

You might also like:

• Science World's new lights capable of elaborate light shows (PHOTOS/VIDEOS)
• New outdoor lighting system illuminates Pacific Coliseum
• New illuminated public art installation at Davie Safeway officially unveiled
• This is why some white LED streetlights are starting to turn purple
• Behind the covert operation to build Vancouver's Olympic Cauldron (PHOTOS)
• Bright and colourful: new permanent lighting installed on SkyTrain in Metrotown