LUMENAURA 2025: Immersive Light Festival Curated by Monochronicle
September 22, 2025 0 299

LUMENAURA, Powered By IBEW Locals 461 & 701, Lights Up Aurora: Monochronicle Set to Curate Second Annual Immersive Art & Light Festival

Pioneering AI-Enhanced Public Art Platform Curates International Artist Network for Downtown Aurora’s Luminous Transformation

Aurora, IL — October 10–26, 2025

From October 10–26, 2025, Aurora, Illinois’ second-largest city, will be transformed into a luminous playground as Monochronicle curates the second annual LUMENAURA festival—an immersive art, light, and sound experience powered by IBEW Locals 461 & 701. Spanning the entire downtown and free and open to the public, the festival follows a debut year that drew tens of thousands of visitors of all ages to experience cutting-edge immersive art in public spaces. Monochronicle has assembled a roster of national and international artists from the United Kingdom, Germany, Hungary, Canada, and across the United States. The 2025 theme, Convergence, explores where art, technology, and community meet to create shared experiences—featuring interactive highlights such as responsive light sculptures, laser graffiti, enchanted fountains, train-car installations, rooftop laser shows, and works that react to human presence and environmental stimuli. 

Quote

“LUMENAURA represents the future of public art, where cutting-edge technology enhances experiences and transforms audiences into part of the artwork itself. We believe the art outcome depends on the process. This year, we are grateful to Aurora for embracing bold ideas, enabling us to present a diverse lineup, showcase innovation, and expand the festival’s impact.”

— Iryna Kanishcheva, Founder of Monochronicle

Programming

LUMENAURA Festival Weekend will feature three nights of live concerts from 6 PM – 10 PM, sponsored by IBEW Locals 461 & 701 Main Stage. Gates for LUMENAURA Fest Weekend musical performances will open one hour prior to bands starting each day. As the music lights up the Main Stage, roving performers such as circus acts, fire breathers, and wandering musicians will also animate the streets. Additional amenities include food trucks lining the East Benton Street bridge, between Stolp Avenue and Water Street, beer vendors, local businesses, and more, just steps away from the action. 

Opening Weekend Highlights

  • Friday, October 10, at 5 PM. Official Opening Ceremony. Address: The Mayan, 77 S. Stolp Ave, Aurora, Illinois. Join a Native ceremony led by the Firekeeper, who will ignite the “Bonfire” LED sculpture. Celebration will continue with music, storytelling, and “prayer ties,” physical manifestations of prayers (spiritual practice of offering to the Creator or for requesting blessings, wisdom, or healing).
  • Friday, October 10, at 6 PM. LUMENAURA Fest Weekend. Address: Parking Lot Q, located at the southwest corner of Benton Street and Water Street.  Open the Festival with Motown Nation, bringing the golden era of soul back to life. Audiences can expect favorites from Stevie Wonder, The Supremes, Marvin Gaye, Aretha Franklin, Smokey Robinson, and more. Then, at 8 P.M., get ready for the ultimate ‘80s experience with Sixteen Candles, whose high-energy performances and passion for the decade will transport you straight back to the era of Duran Duran, Tears for Fears, Prince, and Journey. 
  • Saturday, October 11, at 6 PM. LUMENAURA Fest Weekend. Address: Parking Lot Q, located at the southwest corner of Benton Street and Water Street. Celebrate Aurora’s diverse Hispanic culture with Sin Anestesia, which will deliver a powerful tribute to legendary bands like Hombres G, Los Enanitos Verdes and Café Tacuba. Headlining the night and entering the stage at 8:15 P.M. is Selena the Show, an electrifying tribute to one of the greatest Mexican-American performers of all time. Karla Perez channels Selena’s charisma and voice to perfection, performing beloved hits like Como La Flor, Bidi Bidi Bom Bom, Dreaming of You, I Could Fall in Love, and Amor Prohibido.
  • Sunday, October 12, at 5 PM. LUMENAURA Fest Weekend. Address: Parking Lot Q, located at the southwest corner of Benton Street and Water Street. Wrap up with Fearless – A Tribute to Taylor Swift, serving as the ultimate unofficial Swiftie celebration. Sing and dance along to chart-topping hits spanning every Taylor era, plus all the STYLE, sparkle, and energy from fans’ WILDEST DREAMS. Finally, close out the festival at 7 P.M. with Hairbangers Ball, a nonstop, high-voltage trip back to the “decade of decadence” featuring the biggest hits from Guns N’ Roses, Bon Jovi, Poison, Mötley Crüe, and more. 

Second Weekend Highlights

  • Friday, October 17, from 6 PM to 10 PM. 11 Dimensions Travel Agency presents Illoominated II. Address: 20 E Downer Pl, Aurora, IL 60505, 3rd Floor. Experience an innovative projection-mapped installation of lasers and projectors.
  • Friday, October 17, from 6 PM to 10 PM. 11 Dimensions Travel Agency presents Laser Graffiti. Address: Water Street Mall, 13 Water St, Aurora, IL 60505. Draw your letters on a wall,  installation of lasers and projectors.
  • Friday, October 17, from 6 PM to 10 PM. The Zenith Creative Mural Projection Mapping. Address: Water Street Mall, 13 Water St, Aurora, IL 60505. Experience an innovative projection-mapped installation of lasers and projectors.
  • Saturday, October 18, from 6-10 PM. Bonfire gathering. Address: The Mayan, 77 S. Stolp Ave, Aurora, Illinois. Storytelling around the Bonfire. Bring your drum or guitar!
  • Saturday, October 18, from 6-10 PM. All-Ages Silent Disco Party. Address: Planet Swamp Immersive Installation. Address: 69 S Broadway, Aurora, IL. Enjoy sets by Phazor (progressive and deep house), Naughta (drum and bass), and KL Sounds (pop and hip-hop classics). FREE glow-in-the-dark temporary tattoo giveaway! Roving performers!

Laser Show — Experience an innovative laser projection mapping on Aurora’s historic Paramount Building, where beams of light trace the architecture and bring the façade to life. The show runs every weekend of the festival — Friday, Saturday, and Sunday — from 7 PM to 1o PM. 

Follow @monochroncle_network for more details about the pop-up activities.

Accessibility & Inclusion

Accessibility and inclusivity remain central to LUMENAURA. 90% of the artwork is ADA accessible. The event will feature a soothing space for sensory-sensitive visitors, ASL interpretation, select works with audio description, and golf-cart transportation for mobility needs. Designated pathways between installations support all visitors, including those using wheelchairs.

“The City of Aurora is proud to present LUMENAURA as an accessible and inclusive event for all our residents and visitors… By prioritizing accessibility in both design and delivery, LUMENAURA invites everyone to explore, engage, and enjoy the wonder of light together.”

— Katrina Boatright, Senior & Disability Services Manager, City of Aurora

Overview of Artists & Works

  • Emergence — ThisisLoop (United Kingdom): Mirrored immersive installation exploring chaos, order, and emergent systems.
  • Bonfire — LedBlade (Hungary): Pixel-controlled light sculpture with fog and scent for a communal, heartwarming atmosphere.
  • Threshold — Daniel Murray / FuzzPop Workshop (United States): Water-inspired interactive inflatable sculpture blending interior and exterior space.
  • Quantum Jungle — Robin Baumgarten (Germany): Playful, touch-sensitive visualization of quantum physics using LEDs and metal springs.
  • Illoominated 2 & Laser Graffiti — 11 Dimensions Travel Agency (United States): Interactive light experiences merging history, technology, and community participation.
  • The Door — BigArt (United States): Interactive portal exploring opportunity, change, and human connection.
  • Enchanted Oasis — Jeff Cason (United States): Fountain plaza transformed into an animated, multisensory garden.
  • Up-Next — Oliver Lewis (United States): Recycled-plastic sculpture of a classic TV set with kaleidoscopic light manipulation.
  • Echoes of Connection — Daniel Eller (United States): Nostalgic payphones—leave a message; you never know who’s listening.
  • Vivid Volume — Scott Boeing (United States): Dynamic 3D light grid mirroring participants’ movements in real time.
  • Interactive Video Wall — Zenith Creative (United States): Lighting, sound, and motion capture spark playful interaction.
  • Invisible Currents (Projection Mapping) — Alina Nazmeeva (United States): Aurora’s architecture becomes an illuminated storytelling canvas and living gardens.
  • Planet Swamp — Monochronicle Team (Collaborative): Surreal, multi-sensory lightscape—fog-filled bubbles, lasers, and sound.
  • Laser Show — Charles Alan Rye / Monochronicle: Laser-mapped light show outlining the historic Paramount Theatre.
  • Lux Arcana — Crystal Wagner & Logan Luckey (United States): Human-controlled light sculpture installed on a Metra train car (Chicago → Aurora).
  • Particles of You – The Zenith Creative (United States): Interactive light installation where invisible sensors transform your movements into bursts of color and light.

About Monochronicle

Monochronicle is a pioneering public art marketplace and consultancy, combining a high-profile artist network with AI-powered tools for artist selection and project management. Built by artists and producers with over a decade of global experience, Monochronicle opens access to large-scale art for individuals, businesses, and institutions while creating more jobs for artists worldwide. LUMENAURA, produced by Monochronicle, exemplifies the organization’s commitment to immersive storytelling and thought leadership, shaping the future of art in public places.

monochronicle.com

About the City of Aurora, IL

Located 35 miles west of Chicago, Aurora is the second-largest city in Illinois with a population of nearly 200,000. Known as the “City of Lights” for early adoption of electric street lighting, Aurora spans 46 square miles across Kane, DuPage, Kendall, and Will counties along the Fox River and I-88.

aurora-il.org

Learn More

Image Gallery (9)