San Francisco is about to shine a little brighter. Glow, the Exploratorium’s beloved annual celebration of the art and science of light, returns to Pier 15 from November 19, 2026 through January 24, 2027, inviting everyone to step in, play, and recharge their winter wonder.
Visitors can discover luminous artworks that dazzle and surprise at every turn: playful experimental LED dungeon crawlers by Robin Baumgarten, glowing geometries to fold and build with Collective Paper Aesthetics, real objects floating with movie screen technology by Toshio Iwai, a vast glowing moon by Luke Jerram, walls to paint with digital light and shadow by Zach Lieberman, hypnotic 3D illusions by Olivier Ratsi, and prismatic color inspired by particle physics by Akiko Yamashita. New exhibit prototypes in the Light Lab round out the experience.
The festival is fun for both kids and grown-ups, with live programs and the chance to tinker with color and shadow throughout the galleries. Adults 18 and over can kick things off at After Dark: Glow Opening on Thursday, November 19, from 6 to 10 p.m., with science, art, music and dancing to celebrate the launch.
Whether it is your first visit or a holiday tradition, Glow is pure winter magic on the waterfront. Find tickets and plan your visit at the Exploratorium’s official website.
Photo: Exploratorium
