For four nights only, Night of Lights will illuminate Germantown Avenue with projected videos, architectural and landscape lighting, and stories drawn from more than 250 years of local history. But if you can make it for only one night, make it Friday, Oct. 2.
Opening night of the Chestnut Hill Conservancy’s ninth annual Night of Lights begins at 6:30 p.m. at the Conservancy’s historic headquarters at 8708 Germantown Ave., where visitors can pick up complimentary soft pretzels and old-fashioned candies, glow-in-the-dark stickers and temporary tattoos, event maps and Night of Lights “Passports.” The annual “Flip the Switch” ceremony follows from 7 to 7:15 p.m., revealing something new for 2026: a lighting design created by BEAM, ltd. for the Conservancy’s historic headquarters.
BEAM’s involvement began with lighting designer Emily Potenza, who had attended Night of Lights in previous years and approached the Conservancy in 2025 about collaborating. Potenza is a lighting designer at BEAM with a bachelor’s degree in architecture and a minor in lighting design from Jefferson University.
“I realized the Night of Lights was really about architectural lighting, obviously a passion of mine and our team at BEAM,” she said. “Not only that, but it is located at a historic and beautiful location along Germantown Avenue; I believe we shine when it comes to lighting historic architecture.
“This was an exciting collaboration for me,” Potenza continued. “I graduated in architecture and attended this event in years past. Now I have the opportunity to give back and hope to elevate the event with the practice and knowledge I’ve learned as a lighting designer at BEAM. Focusing on the Conservancy is special since it holds that initial ‘wow’ moment during ‘Flip the Switch.’ Can’t wait to have young prospective and future designers see that.”
For 8708 Germantown Ave., the team considered how lighting could reveal details of the historic building and its landscape after dark. BEAM Principal Kirsten Kent Carangi, who co-founded the studio in 2002 after practicing as an architect for a decade, described the distinction between experiencing architecture during the day and at night.
“During the day, buildings are illuminated by the sun, and the intensity and color vary throughout the day,” she said. “They often fall into the backdrop amongst the surrounding landscape, cars and people. When we illuminate buildings at night, they can become the focus, and the light can reveal parts of the building that may be overlooked.”
At 8708, that includes the stone façade and landscape, as well as architectural details such as the front door, copper awning and soffit. BEAM’s design is being installed by Electrical Wizardry, with support from Bowman Properties Ltd.
“We’re very excited to partner with BEAM for this year’s Night of Lights and bring some bright ideas to 8708 Germantown Ave.,” said David Gest, executive director of the Chestnut Hill Conservancy. “BEAM’s design gives us a new way to spotlight our historic headquarters, and we’re grateful to Electrical Wizardry for helping bring that vision to life — as well as to Bowman Properties Ltd. for their ongoing support in lighting up Germantown Avenue.
“Night of Lights is possible because of our yearlong sponsors, event sponsors, partners, members, volunteers and grant support,” Gest continued. “This year, we’re especially grateful for the $20,000 Philadelphia City Fund grant supporting Night of Lights, as well as our first Art & Culture Grant from the Philadelphia Cultural Fund, which supports the Conservancy’s broader educational and public programming.”
The celebration then moves down the Avenue. Following “Flip the Switch,” live storytellers and nine musical acts join First Friday activities and other offerings from local businesses. Projected archival videos and other Night of Lights activities stretch along Germantown Avenue, with the evening’s programming continuing until 9 p.m.
The new lighting does not end at 8708. Selected buildings, architectural features and landscapes along the 8600 through 8000 blocks of Germantown Avenue also will be illuminated during Night of Lights’ four-evening event. While the bands, storytellers, giveaways and First Friday festivities make Oct. 2 the fullest Night of Lights experience, the lighting installations and projected videos continue from 7 to 9 p.m. Oct. 3 through Oct. 5.
For Potenza, however, the first reveal is particularly important.
“I hope they feel immersed, transported, and feel like they are in a very different space than how they may have previously experienced the Conservancy’s headquarters at 8708 Germantown Ave.,” she said. “I’d like to see people take out their phones to take pictures, realize it doesn’t look as good as the real thing, and immediately put them away.”
