In a stunning celebration marking San Francisco’s 175th birthday, Illuminate, a nonprofit arts organization dedicated to creating awe-inspiring public art, has declared the city the “City of Awe.”
Tonight, April 15, 2025, the organization will debut its latest installment: the AweMobile, a custom-engineered Sprinter van outfitted with a battery-powered assembly of nine Laser Space Cannons.
Beginning at sunset, around 7:45 PM, the AweMobile will illuminate the night sky with a vibrant array of colored lasers that will sweep from UN Plaza to the iconic dome of City Hall, filling the downtown area with breathtaking displays of light.
This one-night-only exhibition promises to be a spectacle unlike anything seen in the city, with the lasers cascading across UN Plaza, Fulton Plaza, and Civic Center Plaza.
Notably, this event marks the first time that lasers will interact with San Francisco’s historic City Hall, adding a monumental element to this artistic expression.
As residents and visitors gather at United Nations Plaza, located at 355 McAllister St. (at Fulton), they will have the rare opportunity to witness this vibrant fusion of technology and public space.
The AweMobile’s bold debut comes after a successful unofficial pop-up installation at Sutro Baths on April 4, where it received rave reviews.
Following that initial activation, the upcoming display at UN Plaza is set to be the vehicle’s first fully permitted installation, orchestrated in partnership with Nusalt Laser International, a prominent player in large-scale laser design based in Folsom, California.
The event will stretch into the late hours, depending on battery life, creating an unforgettable experience under the starry San Francisco sky.
In addition to the awe-inspiring light show, the celebration coincides with the local phenomenon known as 415 Day, adding even more vibrancy to the evening’s festivities.
In downtown, Funcheap will host a special 415 Day San Francisco Birthday Comedy Festival featuring two free comedy shows at The Function, a club and cocktail bar just a short walk from Civic Center, located at 1414 Market St. at Polk.
The shows are scheduled for 7 PM and 8:45 PM and are typically priced at $20 but are being offered for free with an RSVP on Eventbrite.
Attendees are encouraged to either join the comedy shows before or after taking in the breathtaking light exhibition.
In addition to these highlights, other 415 Day events are set to take place, including a job fair, scavenger hunt, and a vibrant night market.
The installation not only aims to create a stunning visual impact but serves as a powerful ceremonial act, paying tribute to San Francisco through communal experience, light, and presence.
Illuminate’s ongoing efforts to enhance the cultural landscape of San Francisco include a legacy of transformative public art projects such as The Bay Lights, the moving light canopy Spectra, support for the R-Evolution sculpture, The Golden Mile project in Golden Gate Park, and the creation of a dazzling beam up Market Street during Pride Weekend.
As the city celebrates its 175th birthday, the AweMobile’s debut is another step in redefining San Francisco’s identity and creative spirit, inviting everyone to gather and experience the magic of public art in all its forms.
With each beam of light illuminating the city, residents and visitors alike will be encouraged to celebrate the vibrant community that makes San Francisco a truly awe-inspiring place.
Join the celebration tonight at UN Plaza to witness the birth of the “City of Awe.”
image source from：https://sf.funcheap.com/sfs-175th-birthday-laser-space-cannon-light-show-plaza/
