Light festivals, between culture and tourism: An ethnography in two Portuguese light festivals

Abstract

Light festivals have become prominent cultural and touristic phenomena globally, blending artistic innovation with urban revitalization. This thesis explores two major Portuguese light festivals: Lumina in Cascais and Luza in Loulé. Through a multi-sited critical ethnographic approach, the study investigates these festivals' roles in cultural democratization and municipal economic development, exploring processes of ‘artification’, financial precariousness, and visitor behaviors.