Illumine is an annual after-dark arts event that takes place at Oakland Cemetery this spring. If you missed the popular light show last year, you have another chance — the 2022 event is expanded and better than ever. It happens on select nights from April 21 to May 1, 2022.
Illumine is one of those events that’s hard to explain. It’s a self-guided experience spread across the cemetery grounds, using light, shadow, sound, and projections to create an experience and tell a story. We attended the event in 2019 and thoroughly enjoyed it.
You’ll see dozens of artistic displays throughout the cemetery, including lanterns, light-boxes, illuminated headstones and mausoleums, and projections of archival images and film. The cemetery’s gardens and oldest trees become part of the light show as well.
Illumine will also feature live music, craft cocktails at pop-up bars, and an Oakland pop-up shop.
Check out our complete guide to all the spring festivals this year in Atlanta & suburbs!
You may also be interested in:
- 2022 Atlanta Spring Festival Guide for March, April, & May
- 40+ egg hunts, visits with the Easter Bunny and more celebrations
- Midtown Garden Stroll: Tour gorgeous private gardens for FREE
Save $5 on an advance ticket
The events take place on select nights in April and May from 7:30 to 10 p.m.
First entry is at 7:30, but this is an evening event, and you’ll be able to enter until 9:30 p.m. If you do come in before sunset we strongly encourage you to stick around until after the sun sets (around 8:15).
The events sell out quickly, so it’s best to buy an advance ticket through Eventbrite – PLUS, you can save $5 when you buy in advance (although most of that will go to ticketing fees and sales tax).
Advance tickets are $20 for adults; and $15 for kids (age 4-17), students, and seniors.
Add $5 to those prices if you buy at the gate.
Children 3 and under and FREE.
Sales tax and an Eventbrite fee of about $2.25 is added.
The 2022 dates for Illumine are:
- Thursday, April 21
- Friday, April 22
- Saturday, April 23
- Sunday, April 24
- Thursday, April 28
- Friday, April 29
- Saturday, April 30
- Sunday, May 1
The slide show on this page features scenes from the 2019 event, courtesy of our friends at Hi Five Digital Productions.
Visit the event web page
Dusk settles in during the 2019 Illumine event.
