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If you didn’t catch the Northern Lights dancing their way across Colorado skies for the first time in two decades this past May, don’t fret. The inaugural Aurora Borealis Festival (November 1 to 3 at Aurora’s Winged Melody Park) provides a chance to relive the atmospheric phenomenon. Complete with stellar light exhibits and interactive art, the free, family-friendly event (and, dare we say, brilliant marketing scheme) will celebrate the city’s diversity, creativity, and collaboration, says Randi Morritt, chief operating officer at Visit Aurora, which is producing the affair.
Here are just some of the megawatt offerings attendees can expect.
1. Aurora Borealis Effect
It wouldn’t be the Aurora Borealis Festival without a re-creation of its namesake light display. Venture to the borealis viewing area at sunset each evening to see green, blue, and magenta striations—created by nine multicolored lasers projected through a foggy haze—cover nearly 30,000 square feet of sky.
2. Stanley Marketplace Orb Garden
Six spheres, all constructed on-site out of 2,500 feet of neon nylon, will rest on the gathering’s northeastern edge. What are they? “Pop-up art lounges,” says Denver-based artist Diana Merkel, who designed the orbs, each of which seats eight. “They provide a fun, vibey, safe space to chill and connect with others.” Although open throughout the day, the globes will be particularly illuminating at night, when color-changing LEDs inside radiate a range of different hues.
3. Global Gift Bazaar
No, that sandy-hued tent with eight massive peaks isn’t Denver International Airport. It’s the festival’s home for artisanal goods. Grab an Apricot Blonde from Aurora’s Dry Dock Brewing Co., then gander at the wares on offer from 20 different local vendors. A luxurious whipped body scrub from Shai Naturals or a versatile essentials pouch from Kahealani Lee Designs will help you get an early start on holiday shopping.
4. Architects of Air’s Daedalum
Get lost in this 11,000-square-foot luminarium by internationally recognized sculpture group Architects of Air. The inflatable fun house for light comprises 19 interconnected caverns and dozens of winding paths, all awash in vibrant colors created by daylight filtering through its fabric walls.
5. Flavors of Aurora Food Court
This culinary cornucopia celebrates Aurora’s distinction as Colorado’s most diverse city with an array of mouthwatering bites from more than 20 globally inspired local eateries. Nibble something spicy from Flavor of Tabasco; slurp noodles from Ten Seconds Yunnan Rice Noodles; and share (or don’t) fresh waffle-cut potato chips from Curbside Kitchen Ltd. with a fellow festivalgoer.