Illumine is an annual after-dark arts event that takes place at Oakland Cemetery this spring. It happens on select nights from April 17 to 27, 2025.
Tickets go on sale on February 15, 2025.
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’ve attended the event in the past 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.
Buy Illumine tickets online
Check out our complete guide to all the spring festivals this year in Atlanta & suburbs!
You may also be interested in:
- 2025 Atlanta Spring Festival Guide for March, April, & May
- Midtown Garden Stroll: Tour gorgeous private gardens for FREE
- Inman Park Festival: the complete guide
Things to know
The events take place on select nights in April 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 online.
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.
The 2025 dates for Illumine are:
- Thursday, April 17
- Friday, April 18
- Saturday, April 19
- Sunday, April 20
- Thursday, April 24
- Friday, April 25
- Saturday, April 26
- Sunday, April 27
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. Photo: H. Brucker
Photo: H. Brucker
