LUMINO PRO
“Entre les rangs de Kanva,” LUMINO 2020-2021
Dates
25 → 27 February 2026
Programming for the 2nd edition
Conferences, panels, and opportunities for discussion highlighting today’s major trends in urban design are on the agenda.
Consult the full program here.
WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 25
1:00 PM – 4:30 PM
Opening Conferences: Winter Is a Cultural Season!
Highlighting inspiring examples of winter destination animation and development, along with the strategic role of light art and urban innovation in winter cities.
Guest speakers from Finland, Norway, the United States, and Canada.
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM
Welcome Cocktail Reception
By invitation only
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 26
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Panel Discussion: Montréal, a Winter Destination
An open discussion on successes, challenges, experiences, and lessons learned shaping Montréal’s winter strategy, featuring speakers from the city’s leading winter attractions.
Panel Discussion: Six Winter Cities Activating Public Spaces
Experts from six cities share their experiences in planning, programming, and operating winter public spaces.
Discover Toronto, Niagara Region, Helsinki, Edmonton, Grand Rapids, Detroit, Montréal, and Boston.
Moderated by the Canadian Urban Institute.
1:30 PM – 5:00 PM
Inspirational Presentation & Practical Workshop
Inspiring case studies followed by a guided hands-on workshop to adapt winter animation strategies to local contexts.
Facilitated by Main Street organizations.
LUMINO Pro Connects
Networking sessions bringing together studios, artists, and LUMINO Pro participants.
FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 27
9:00 AM – 12:00 PM
Inside the Minds of Winter Event Programmers
Featuring: Winning Formula for Light Art Festival, Icehotel (Sweden), Lux Helsinki (Finland), Fjord Oslo (Norway), Into the Light (Paris), LUMINO (Montréal).
Success Stories from Must-See Winter Events and Destinations in Canada
Winter City Edmonton; Quartier des spectacles Partnership – Esplanade Tranquille Skating Rink;
Warming Huts Winnipeg; Manitobbagan Winnipeg; Culture Trois-Rivières; Winter Stations Toronto.
1:30 PM – 4:00 PM
Conceptualize, Experiment, Implement
Three lightning talks on:
– Measuring the impact of investments in winter placemaking and programming
– Practical tips for moving from concept to implementation in public space projects
– Placemaking guidance and best practices
THURSDAY & FRIDAY – 5:00 PM
LUMINO Presentation & Guided Tour
A strategic immersion into the structure, impacts, and highlights of the 2025–26 edition.
“Shadow” by TILT on Sainte-Catherine Street West, in front of the Esplanade Tranquille skating rink
LUMINO PRO 2026
The International Forum on Winter Creativity, Cultural Placemaking and Light Art
February 25–27, 2026
Every February in Montreal, LUMINO PRO brings together winter cities, cultural leaders, public space managers, designers, and creative studios from Quebec, North America and beyond. Over three days, Montréal convenes a global network of public-space leaders, cultural strategists, and creative practitioners working to elevate winter urban life through placemaking strategy, innovative public-space assets and design, and shared winter expertise.
Conferences, a living lab, site visits, a B2B marketplace and creative showcases, all designed to help cities and creators develop their winter projects and cultural strategies in the most innovative ways.
Come experience an immersive journey through a fully activated winter district. We look forward to welcome you to Montréal!
First edition, 2025
From February 27 to March 1, 2025
Launched during the 15th edition of LUMINO, the inaugural edition of LUMINO PRO extended the legacy of a flagship winter event that reimagines public spaces through digital art and interactive experiences, strengthening Montréal’s international profile.
Conceived as a platform for dialogue and knowledge sharing, LUMINO PRO addressed contemporary challenges in public space planning and activation, with a strong emphasis on digital creativity and innovative placemaking strategies. The event convened a diverse community of urban planners, public space managers, digital artists, event producers, and stakeholders from political, economic, and tourism sectors, alongside international decision-makers invited by QDSinternational. Participation was free and by invitation.
The program featured conferences, panels, and networking moments that showcased key trends shaping public spaces today, while highlighting LUMINO’s transformative role in Montréal’s urban landscape over the past 15 years.
Among the event’s highlights was the meeting of the Québec Committee on Public Space Planning and Animation, which convened representatives from eight municipalities and was chaired by Ms. Chantal Deschamps, former Mayor of Repentigny. The initiative sought to strengthen intermunicipal collaboration and foster skills development in the cultural activation of public spaces.
March 1 was dedicated to Québec’s creative and cultural ecosystem, offering professional networking opportunities, guided visits to key cultural venues, and an immersive exploration of the Quartier des Spectacles’ winter programming.
Parlons Placemaking
Another highlight of this inaugural edition was the Parlons Placemaking expert session, co-presented by the Canadian Urban Institute, QDSinternational and Design Montréal. The session offered an in-depth reflection on the evolution of placemaking in Canada and marked the launch of a publication bringing together perspectives from over one hundred professionals in the field.