Exploring the Enchanting Light Parks of Slovakia
In winter, when darkness falls as early as 4 p.m. in some parts of the world, well-lit outdoor spaces provide a welcome escape. These areas offer fun and engaging experiences for families with children, while also appealing to photography enthusiasts. Their creative lighting setups transform the ordinary into something magical and visually striking. They brighten darker months. Light parks in Slovakia are one such space.
What are Light Parks
Light Parks are outdoor spaces decorated with many lights. Many are shaped in different forms like animals, passages, plants, shapes, and architectural structures. The majority of them aim to attract families with children. They usually try to create certain narratives that will make them more engaging for younger visitors. But older people are welcome too. With their romantic appeal, such places are great for date nights or escapist short trips.
Light Parks in Slovakia
According to information available online from Spectator magazine, the first light park in Slovakia opened in Liptov in 2021. The attraction called Lumagica Zookontakt used around 150,000 lights and depicted fairy tales and animals. It took 12 days to build the magical forest of lights. The creators designed this concept to captivate visitors with its beauty. But they also want to educate them. The highest installation, seven meters high, was an elephant. One of the interactive installations, a tree, would light up and play music when somebody stepped on the keyboard.
Light Park Košice – Story of Lights
One of the biggest light parks in Slovakia is Svetelný Park or the Story of Lights in Košice. It is in Anička areal – a center for children. The place is mainly used in summer for sports (basketball, minigolf), as a playground with a labyrinth, or for picnicking. It hosts concerts, theatrical plays, cultural events, parties, magicians, and acrobats.
From early November to late January, people transform the surroundings into a captivating winter wonderland. The wonderland becomes luminous and enchanting. Main attractions include statues of princesses, knights, and beings from tales (mushrooms, bats), a light labyrinth leading to a tower, wooden houses for children, and a gingerbread cottage.
Each light decoration or statue is handmade and original, giving the whole park a unique and unforgettable design and character.
My favorites were the bats in the valley of trees and the columns near the main entrance. I also noticed that some statues in one distant part were not working.
DECOLED is the company behind this exhibition. They are known for creating thematic light decorations for city centers, light parks, and Christmas markets. The company has operated for 27 years and has left its mark not only in Slovakia but also in foreign countries like Czechia, Hungary, and Germany.
Some other cities where it operates and creates parks include Banská Bystrica, Komárno, Praha, Brno, Ostrava, Chemmitz, Gödöllo, and many more.
Practical Information
Entrance fees are available online for discounted prices – 7EUR for adults, 5EUR for children, students, and people 64 and older. You can also buy a family ticket for 22EUR, which includes entrance for two adults and two children, or one adult and three children. In case you are a group of 15 people or more, you need to contact the venue to get individual prices.
The park is accessible by car. There is free parking for around 20 vehicles. You can also use public transport (71,72,18,16,14,12,27,29,36) and get off at the bus stop at Mier.
You can also bring your dog inside. It is allowed to take pictures, and if you get cold, thirsty, or hungry, there is a bistro.
The park is open daily from 4 p.m. until 9 p.m. It will take you around 60 minutes to explore the park. The address of the park is Areál Anička, Pod Šiancom 652/4, Košice.
Other light parks or exhibitions
Another park, Winter Wonderland, located in Bratislava, takes a different approach to lighting and materials. There are more than 100 light installations and attractions. You will find it in Petržalka borough in the area of the Horse Racing Track (bus stops Starohájska, Námestie Hraničiarok, Starý Háj). There are time slots for visitors, but the capacity is limited to 2500 at one time. Unlike the light park in Košice, you will need around 2 to 3 hours to see it whole.
Light parks in Slovakia are not only magical destinations. They are perfect settings for nighttime photography, offering endless opportunities to capture stunning light displays and unique compositions. If you’re a photography enthusiast, don’t miss the chance to explore these vibrant spaces after dark. For more tips on photographing illuminated scenes and discovering other hidden gems in Slovakia, check out my other articles!
Sources:
spectator.sme.sk
storyoflights.sk
winterwonderland.sk