Tips for Visiting Fiesta de la Luz in Quito

In 2016, the historic downtown of Quito shared a remarkable light and art show when the Fiesta de la Luz (feast of light) used the historic buildings´ walls to reflect the massive artistic videos on the street. This marked the start of what is now an annual festival.

Between August 9 to 13 of this year, the historic district again received the lights, color, sounds, and emotion of "La Fiesta de la Luz," thanks to the efforts of national and international artists, the Government of Lyon and the Municipal Government of Quito through Quito Turismo.

The Feast of Light only takes place once a year, and from now on August will be the month it visits Quito. If an international traveler wants to visit the historic district and experience these performances or simply stay in the city center between these dates, there are many aspects to take into consideration.

1. The historic city center of Quito will be only for pedestrians after 6:30 pm, yet the streets will be starting to close at 5:00 pm.

The streets that are going to be closed are:

-North: Imbabura, Cotopaxi, Panamá

-South: Madrid, Montúfar, Sucre, Pichincha, Briceño, Vargas

-East: José Ríofrio

-West: 24 de Mayo and Ambato.

2. Every road will be open after 2:00 am every day during the festival

3. The public transportation during these days will be operating the following hours:

-August 9-11: 5:00 am to 12:00 am

-August 12-13: 6:00 am to 10:00pm

4. The Trolebus service won´t be entering the historic downtown after 6:30 pm, so please beware.

5. The Ecovia service will be working normally, and the closest stop to arrive at the festival area is Marin Central.

Considering the volume of people walking on the streets, the local government arranged a series of hydration stops where people can refill their bottles to avoid dehydration.

The stops sets are:

1. Basílica of National Vote

2. Plaza Hermano Miguel - San Blas

3.Plaza del Teatro

4. Santo Domingo Square

5. Independencia Square (2 stops)

6. La Merced Square

[READMORE]READ MORE 12 Weather & Activities Tips in the Galapagos Islands[/READMORE]

Also, considering the artistic expressions on the streets of Quito´s downtown these days, there are several museums that will be open with free admission. People will be able to visit the Expos in these museums to get an overview of the artistic movement of Quito.

These museums are going to be open from 12:00 pm to 12:00 am:

-Museo de la Ciudad

-Museo del Carmen Alto

-Museo Alberto Mena Caamaño

-Centro Cultural Metropolitano (temporary rooms)

Here are a few things to keep in mind to guarantee a pleasant experience for all visitors:

-Avoid attending the festival with children younger than 5 years old.

-Children and elderly people should bring a card with their personal information and contact number in case they get separated in the crowd.

-International travelers should bring a copy of their passports, contact information of the hotel where they are staying, as well as the emergency contact number of the local tour operator.

-Avoid using small and less-traveled paths or streets.

-Identify the evacuation routes nearby.

-In the case of emergency, call 9-1-1 or approach the local police and patrol officers at the festival.

-Use the trash cans and avoid dropping the garbage on the ground. Also, use the temporary toilets across the streets in some areas.

-Do not drink alcohol in public areas, as it is prohibited.

-Wear comfortable shoes and fresh clothing, and avoid bringing expensive accessories or big backpacks/suitcases.

-Define a meeting point in case your group gets split up in the crowd.

---

For the latest travel news, updates and deals, subscribe to the daily TravelPulse newsletter.

Topics From This Article to Explore