Raise One to the Old Jindabyne Hotel by Brad Spalding was the Illumination Award winner at the 2021 Lake Light Sculpture Festival at Jindabyne. Photo: Lake Light Sculpture Festival Facebook.
The much-loved Lake Light Sculpture Festival is set to brighten the shores of Lake Jindabyne once again, making a triumphant return this Easter.
For the first time since 2023, the 18 to 21 April festival will be back on the lake foreshore, reclaiming its iconic setting against the breathtaking backdrop of the Snowy Mountains.
Built on the belief that public art is for everyone, this revitalised event will again bring together artists, visitors, and the local community for an immersive and engaging celebration of art, light and creativity.
Having faced its fair share of challenges in recent years, the 2025 edition of the Lake Light Sculpture Festival is, first and foremost, testament to the unwavering support of the local community.
Lake Light Sculpture is Jindabyne’s premier non-ticketed event, historically attracting up to 25,000 visitors to the lake foreshore over the Easter weekend.
However Lake Light chair Dani Kell said lake flooding during the La Nina summers meant the foreshore suffered extensive damage, leading to a quick change of plan in 2023 – a street edition.
While this alternative kept the festival alive, Dani said the lake foreshore had always been the premier location.
“What truly sets this event apart is the stunning illumination of the sculptures at night,” she said.
Visitors are encouraged to explore the exhibition in sunlight, then return after dark to witness the stunning illuminated sculptures, offering two distinct perspectives of each masterpiece.
Faced with the other challenges of volunteer manpower and dollars, this year a successful social media campaign recruited an army of new volunteers including a new sponsorship team whose efforts have ensured the festival’s future.
Dani said small businesses, big sponsors and dedicated volunteers had all stepped up to restore this beloved tradition, ensuring its place as a highlight of the Snowy Mountains’ cultural calendar.
“The way the community has rallied together is incredible,” she said.
“So many have contributed to ensure this event thrives,” Dani added. “Their generosity has helped us offer an impressive prize pool, attracting talented artists from all over.”
One of the festival’s biggest draws is its substantial $42,500 prize pool, designed to reward creativity and innovation.
Artists compete across 13 categories, including a coveted $10,000 major award, a $6000 People’s Choice Award, a $500 Illumination Award plus schools and community groups awards.
Environmental and youth awards also celebrate sustainability and emerging talent.
Major sponsorship from companies such as Snowy Hydro, Mountainside, Thredbo Resort, the Banjo Paterson Inn, Boco Rock, Snowy Regional Solar and Perisher Resort have helped attract a diverse range of emerging and established sculptors, ensuring a vibrant and cutting-edge display of creativity, Dani said.
“Many artists return year after year, with some creating multiple sculptures for the event in the hopes of winning a prize or selling their work,” she said.
The 2025 festival is no different with popular artists including Brad Spalding, Jesse Graham and Madeleine Last already putting their hands up for a spot.
Visitors can also expect an exciting line-up of new talent, all of them pushing artistic boundaries with interactive elements, sustainable materials and surprising and bold designs.
Alongside the main event, the festival also runs a parallel small exhibition, hosted at Horizons Lakeside.
Dani said many artists created sculptures for both the foreshore walk and the smalls exhibition, showcasing their talent across multiple platforms.
In addition to the sculptures, visitors can enjoy an Instagram photo competition, giving attendees a chance to share their most stunning festival snapshots and win exciting prizes.
As anticipation builds for this extraordinary Easter event, visitors are encouraged to share their experiences on social media using #LakeLightSculpture.
All sculptures will also be available for purchase, with a portion of proceeds contributing to the festival’s ongoing sustainability and community sculpture projects.
Mark your calendars and get ready to experience a brilliant fusion of nature, creativity, and community spirit at Lake Jindabyne this April.
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