Fireworks, trail of art installations illuminate Auckland's waterfront tonight for launch of light festival

The array of light installations on Auckland's Viaduct Harbour will be in place from Friday evening until Sunday. Photo / Supplied

Auckland's waterfront is being illuminated by an impressive fireworks display this evening, marking the launch of a lighting festival winding its way across the Viaduct.

The festival includes a string of lighting installations, designed by an award-winning light artist and featuring a "huge silent disco".

The string of installations across Viaduct Harbour together create Angus Muir's aptly named Bright Nights festival, which will run from Friday to Sunday evening.

The big reveal this evening included a three minute-long fireworks show at 7.30pm.

Several Viaduct Harbour restaurants and bars also hosted gatherings on Thursday night, though the hospitality offerings open to the general public wouldn't open up until Friday.

Festival-goers could get into the spirit of things with offerings like "glow-in-the-dark" gelato, specially created by Lalele Organic.

The trail of art pieces starts at the former America's Cup boat KZ1, outside the New Zealand Maritime Museum and finishes at Waitematā Plaza.

Muir, who has created more than 50 lighting events across eight countries, has enlisted the help of locally renowned artists - whose work demonstrates a variety of "cutting-edge" technology.

His goal was to create a light art experience that interacted with the water, he said.

"The opportunity to use Viaduct Harbour as a canvas to launch a full-scale lighting festival for everyone to enjoy is pretty much a dream come true."

Speaking to the Herald from the Bright Nights launch this evening, Muir said he was excited to see the string of glowing artwork come to life.

"Some amazing artists from right around the country have come together to make this happen," he said.

A highlight for Muir was the Square Dance Siscotheque - which he described as "basically a giant silent disco".

The exhibition would be underpinned with the theme of clean seas and sustainability and would be supported by Sir Peter Blake Trust.

The event would also help collect donations for the trust - through one installation named 'Fortune Fountain'.

An interactive art work designed by Puck Murphy, Conrad Wedde and Olivier Jean, the work was designed to look like a wishing well.

It provides a "dynamic visual reaction" to coins being tossed in the water, Muir said, with all proceeds going back to the trust.

A visual display would be paired with a silent disco experience, hosted by Spark and Spotify.

Those not into the glow-in-the-dark gelato option could enjoy a hot beverage by Karma Coffee, among other options.

Viaduct Harbour Holdings chief executive Angela Bull said the exhibition was another gem in a string of exciting openings and events on the Harbour.

"Bright Nights is a celebration of our City's beautiful waterfront and the best hospitality, cultural and event hub in Auckland," she said.