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

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.