If you’re looking for a unique, culture-filled night out in the Twin Cities, Luminiscence at the Basilica of Saint Mary is absolutely worth putting on your calendar.

My husband and I recently attended for a date night – a Christmas experience gift for ourselves, actually – and I can honestly say it was one of the most beautiful and memorable experiences I’ve had in Minneapolis.

What Is Luminiscence?

Luminiscence is a 45‑minute immersive light, music, and narration experience held inside the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis. In this show, large-scale projected visuals are mapped perfectly onto the architecture, telling the story and history of the Basilica. And it was both artistic and awe-inspiring!

The projections are breathtaking. At several moments, I genuinely forgot I was looking at light on walls—at one point it truly looked as though the Basilica was suddenly filled with statues that weren’t actually there. The way the illuminations interact with the existing details of the building is incredibly impressive.

Music, Narration, and Atmosphere

The combination of music and narration adds so much to the experience. On select nights, including the one we attended, there is a live choir and orchestra, which elevated the entire evening. Hearing live music echo through the Basilica while the visuals unfolded was goosebump‑inducing.

This isn’t a loud or flashy event—it’s calm, moving, and thoughtfully done. It’s paced just right to take it all in, and the storytelling helps you appreciate the Basilica not just as a beautiful building, but as an important piece of Minneapolis history. We learned so much about its history.

Is It Kid‑Friendly?

Luminiscence is family‑friendly in content, but I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it for younger kids. It requires sitting quietly for the full 45 minutes and paying attention to the narration and visuals. In my opinion, it’s best suited for older kids, teens, and adults.

However, if you have a child who loves art, music, or history and can sit still and engage, they may really enjoy it.

A Perfect Date Night Idea

If you’re looking for a date night that feels special and different—without being over-the-top or overwhelming—this is a fantastic option. It felt intimate, peaceful, and meaningful, and it gave us something truly unique to experience together.

Final Thoughts

Luminiscence is one of those experiences that makes you pause and say, “Wow.” It’s beautiful, thoughtfully produced, and a wonderful way to experience one of Minneapolis’s most iconic spaces in a completely new way.

Highly recommend. Go if you can.

Event Details

• Location: Basilica of Saint Mary, Minneapolis
• Dates: Through February 14th
• Length: Approximately 45 minutes

Pricing

Prices are reasonable and they have discounts!

Tickets are discounted for:

• Kids under age 18
• Military
• Students
• Seniors (65+)

Plus they have a Family ticket pack which includes tickets for 2 adults and 2 kids under age 18 for $38 – $51 total, depending on the night.

Get tickets here!

(Disclosure: While we paid for our tickets, this post contains affiliate links that help support this site at no cost to you. All opinions are 100% mine.)