South Bend River Lights

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South Bend River Lights

“South Bend River Lights” is a new, innovative project to transform the St. Joseph River into a canvas of living art. and on weekends.

Color splashes from two interactive light sculptures on either side of the river, amplifying the majestic cascade of water, joined with a third sculpture highlighting the exquisite “Keeper of the Fire” statue, and symbolically uniting the two sides of the river. Located in the heart of South Bend, near Seitz Park and the Century Center Island, the display serves as an economic development engine,

a source of community advancement, a tool for visitor attraction, and a destination for recreational, artistic, and entertainment delight. The lighting pieces are designed to be interactive, and thematically colored to correspond with holidays and events. It will be the only display of its kind in the entire world. Interact with the South Bend River Lights

Hours: The River Lights turn on 1/2 hour before sunset and stay on until sunrise, however, the interactive feature stops at Midnight. At Midnight they go into "sleep" mode and will remain a natural color. Best Viewing Spots: Seitz Park, Colfax Bridge, Century Center's Island Park, and Pier Park. Access is available to Island Park until midnight each night (except during private events). Parking: Downtown parking is free during evenings after 5:00 p.m. The best available parking to access the River Lights is along Niles Ave. the parking lot across from AM General off Niles, and Century Center. There is no public parking available at Seitz Park or Stephenson Mills. River Lights Interactivity: There are sensors built into the light pillars that detect motion, prompting the lights to change color or alter their pattern as a result of people moving nearby. Visitors can send a flow of colored lights across the river, and visitors on the other side can send a flow of color back. River Lights Secrets: At the top of each hour, the River Lights will tell you what time it is. The interactivity will automatically reset 5 minutes before each hour. Visitors are encouraged to experiment how different movements effect the lighting and patterns. After a certain sequence the River Lights will offer a special lighting show. General Information: The lights use LEDs, an energy efficient and long-lasting form of lighting. They are powered by electricity. The plan is to eventually provide the sculpture's power through a hydroelectric turbine that exists at the South Bend dam. Usage Policy: The River Lights can be programmed for specific themes; such as red, white, and blue for 4th of July. Details coming soon on how you can reserve the lights for your special event.

01/01/2026

Happy New Year, South Bend 💙🩷💚

10/20/2025

Tonight and tomorrow night, the South Bend River Lights will turn purple in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month and the YWCA’s Week Without Violence. The lights are lit to honor the lives impacted by domestic violence, including survivors and those who have lost their lives, and to serve as reminder and call to action for peace, healing, and prevention.

Join YWCA North Central Indiana in raising awareness and standing in solidarity with all who have been impacted by domestic violence.

To learn more about Domestic Violence Awareness Month, visit dvawareness.org

To learn more about the YWCA North Central Indiana, visit ywcancin.org

09/09/2025

Tonight, the South Bend River Lights will turn orange in recognition of Hunger Action Day. September also marks Hunger Action Month, a national campaign held every September to raise awareness and inspire action to end hunger in America.

Each September, non-profit organization Feeding America partners with local food banks and volunteers to build a nation where everyone has the food and support they need. More than 50 million people turned to food banks, more than at any point in the last decade. In every community, people are working hard to feed their families.

Learn more by visiting feedingamerica.org.

09/05/2025

Tonight, the South Bend River Lights will turn teal in recognition of Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month, as part of the Shine a Light on Ovarian Cancer nationwide initiative.

The Shine a Light on Ovarian Cancer initiative invites landmarks and buildings across the country to illuminate in teal, the official color of ovarian cancer awareness, to honor those affected, raise public awareness, and inspire hope in our communities.

Ovarian cancer remains the second most common and deadliest gynecologic cancer in the United States.

To learn more, please visit ovarian.org.

04/23/2025

Tonight, the river lights will turn blue in recognition of IDEA Week.

IDEA Week is an annual innovation festival that brings together entrepreneurs, business leaders, students, and creatives to explore the latest trends in technology, business, and entertainment. Now community-owned, IDEA Week is a platform for the South Bend - Elkhart region to showcase innovation, inspire entrepreneurship, and foster new ideas. The 5-day festival features world-class speakers, practical workshops, startup competitions, hands-on experiences, and live entertainment designed to engage and inspire.

For more information and to register, visit IDEAWeek.com.

10/23/2024

Tonight and tomorrow night (10/24), the river lights will turn red in recognition of Red Ribbon Week.

Red Ribbon Week takes place annually from October 23rd-31st and is the largest drug-abuse prevention campaign in the United States to show intolerance for drugs in our communities, schools and workplaces.

To learn more, please visit: www.redribbon.org

10/18/2024

Tonight, the river lights will turn pink in recognition of Breast Cancer Awareness Month.
Breast Cancer Awareness Month is an annual international health campaign that takes place during the whole month of October to increase awareness of the disease and to help in their research into its cause, prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and cure.

To learn more, please visit: www.nationalbreastcancer.org/breast-cancer-awareness-month/

09/26/2023

Tonight the river lights will turn blue in recognition of Mesothelioma Awareness day!

Mesothelioma Awareness Day takes place annually on September 26 to teach people about this rare, aggressive, and preventable cancer. Awareness also brings in funding for vital research to diagnose, manage, and treat rare diseases.

To learn more, please visit: http://curemeso.org/.../get.../mesothelioma-awareness-day/.

09/23/2023

Tonight the river lights will be purple to recognize Chiari Malformation Awareness Day. September is also Chiari Awareness Month and Governor Eric Holcomb has proclaimed Chiari Awareness Week September 22nd to the 28th.

Chiari malformations (CM) is a serious neurological disorder where the bottom part of the brain, the cerebellum, descends out of the skull and crowds the spinal cord, putting pressure on both the brain and spine and causing many symptoms.

To date there has been very little research on Chiari and fundamental questions regarding its underlying cause, diagnosis, and treatment remain unanswered. It is estimated that Chiari affects over 300,000 people in the US alone.

To learn more, please visit www.conquerchiari.org/index.asp.

Conquer Chiari

09/15/2023

Tonight the river lights will turn orange in recognition of Hunger Action Month!

Hunger Action Month is an annual nationwide campaign each September, where communities come together to raise awareness about hunger in America and inspire action.

You can learn more by visitingfeedingamerica.org/take-action/hunger-action-month.

09/11/2023

Tonight, the River Lights will turn blue in recognition of 9/11.

22 years ago today, nearly 3,000 innocent lives were lost during the horrific acts of terrorism at the World Trade Center, Pentagon, and aboard United Airlines Flight 93. Today, and every year on this date, we pause to remember and honor the lives that were taken from us and those who sacrificed their life to try and save others before themselves.

07/04/2023

Happy 4th of July, South Bend 🎆

Today we are thrilled to celebrate Independence Day with you all and reflect on all the ways we are better together.

Address

118 N Saint Joseph Street
South Bend, IN
46601

Telephone

(574) 299-4765

Website

http://www.SouthBendRiverLights.com/

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