Bay Bridge Lights Undergo 'Burn-In' Period Before Official Return

The iconic Bay Lights display is being tested and programmed ahead of its relaunch next month.

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The Bay Lights, a popular light installation on the San Francisco Bay Bridge, are undergoing a 'burn-in' period this week before officially relaunching next month. Artist Leo Villareal has been programming new code to control the 48,000 LED lights, which are currently twinkling 24/7 along the western span of the bridge. The $11 million project, backed by the nonprofit Illuminate, aims to transform the bridge into a 'splashy canvas' for motorists and Instagram users alike.

Why it matters

The Bay Lights have become an iconic part of the San Francisco skyline since their debut in 2013. After the original installation went dark 10 years later due to weather damage, the return of the lights is an eagerly anticipated event that will once again provide a dazzling backdrop for the city.

The details

The new and improved Bay Lights 360 project features bespoke engineering to withstand the harsh marine environment, and Villareal has doubled the number of lights. During the current 'burn-in' period, the lights are being stress-tested to ensure they can withstand heavy storms and other weather conditions before the official relaunch. Illuminate has also added vertical strands of lights to both the interior and exterior sides of the bridge's northern cables, allowing the display to be visible from more areas around the Bay.

  • The Bay Lights were turned on about a week ago to begin the 'burn-in' period.
  • The lights were visible shining through the afternoon sun on Thursday, February 27, 2026.
  • The official relaunch of the Bay Lights is scheduled for next month.

The players

Leo Villareal

The artist who conceived both the original and new versions of the Bay Lights project. He is currently programming new code to control the 48,000 LED lights.

Ben Davis

The founder and chief visionary officer of Illuminate, the nonprofit organization backing the $11 million Bay Lights 360 project.

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What they’re saying

“We have to stress-test the LEDs.”

— Ben Davis, Founder and Chief Visionary Officer, Illuminate (San Francisco Chronicle)

“He is currently camping out at various locations along the San Francisco waterfront, 'authoring' new code to essentially 'paint' the light.”

— Ben Davis, Founder and Chief Visionary Officer, Illuminate (San Francisco Chronicle)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The return of the Bay Lights is an exciting event that will once again transform the San Francisco Bay Bridge into a dazzling, Instagram-worthy landmark. The new and improved installation is designed to withstand the harsh marine environment, ensuring the lights can continue to delight residents and visitors for years to come.