Local

This Week in Photos

By The Pham

May 2, 2025 6:00 AM

Through the lens of our visual journalists, a moment in time is captured and becomes part of our history.

This is the first in a weekly series, in which the Charlotte Observer will present a selection of images that document communities.

This feature can be seen in Sunday’s newspaper and on our online Edition at eedition.charlotteobserver.com

The Tianyu Lights Festival at Concord Mills in Charlotte features over 25 handcrafted lanterns, including a serene “Animal Kingdom” section with a shimmering peacock. The exhibit includes nightly acrobatic performances, an interactive light-up playground and arcade games. The show ends on Sunday, June 22 — The Tianyu Lights Festival at Concord Mills in Charlotte features over 25 handcrafted lanterns, including a serene “Animal Kingdom” section with a shimmering peacock. The exhibit includes nightly acrobatic performances, an interactive light-up playground and arcade games. The show ends on Sunday, June 22 DIAMOND VENCES dvences@charlotteobserver.com

The Tianyu Lights Festival features a contortionist at Concord Mills in Charlotte, N.C. — The Tianyu Lights Festival features a contortionist at Concord Mills in Charlotte, N.C. DIAMOND VENCES dvences@charlotteobserver.com

Handcrafted lanterns shaped as mythical creatures, like this mighty dragon, rule the animal kingdom at the Tianyu Lights Festival at Concord Mills in Charlotte., N.C. Tianyu Lights Festival is a ticketed nighttime experience featuring 25 lantern installations. The exhibit includes nightly acrobatic performances, an interactive light-up playground and arcade games. The show ends on Sunday, June 22 — Handcrafted lanterns shaped as mythical creatures, like this mighty dragon, rule the animal kingdom at the Tianyu Lights Festival at Concord Mills in Charlotte., N.C. Tianyu Lights Festival is a ticketed nighttime experience featuring 25 lantern installations. The exhibit includes nightly acrobatic performances, an interactive light-up playground and arcade games. The show ends on Sunday, June 22 DIAMOND VENCES dvences@charlotteobserver.com

Raya Aquino, 2, enjoys “The Illuminated Playground” at the Tianyu Lights Festival at Concord Mills in Charlotte, N.C. on Friday. The show ends on Sunday, June 22 — Raya Aquino, 2, enjoys “The Illuminated Playground” at the Tianyu Lights Festival at Concord Mills in Charlotte, N.C. on Friday. The show ends on Sunday, June 22 DIAMOND VENCES dvences@charlotteobserver.com

Visitors to the Tianyu Lights Festival in Concord Mills, Charlotte, N.C., can explore a glowing forest featuring two glowing fowls, representing Asia’s vibrant wildlife. — Visitors to the Tianyu Lights Festival in Concord Mills, Charlotte, N.C., can explore a glowing forest featuring two glowing fowls, representing Asia’s vibrant wildlife. DIAMOND VENCES dvences@charlotteobserver.com

An immersive experience that combines nature’s wonders with glowing artistry creates an enchanting world of wildlife at the Tianyu Lights Festival, including tiger lanterns, at Concord Mills in Charlotte, N.C. — An immersive experience that combines nature’s wonders with glowing artistry creates an enchanting world of wildlife at the Tianyu Lights Festival, including tiger lanterns, at Concord Mills in Charlotte, N.C. DIAMOND VENCES dvences@charlotteobserver.com

Aadyna, a 5-year-old, dances among playful turtles and colorful fish, in an art installation themed “Ocean World” on Friday at the Tianyu Lights Festival at Concord Mills in Charlotte, N.C. — Aadyna, a 5-year-old, dances among playful turtles and colorful fish, in an art installation themed “Ocean World” on Friday at the Tianyu Lights Festival at Concord Mills in Charlotte, N.C. DIAMOND VENCES dvences@charlotteobserver.com

An acrobat skillfully navigates a large metal hoop as part of the Tianyu Lights Festival on Friday at Concord Mills in Charlotte, N.C. — An acrobat skillfully navigates a large metal hoop as part of the Tianyu Lights Festival on Friday at Concord Mills in Charlotte, N.C. DIAMOND VENCES dvences@charlotteobserver.com

Jorge Gonzalez (left) and his one-year-old son Jorge Kilian (right) wander by shimmering ice formations at the Tianyu Lights Festival at Concord Mills in Charlotte on Friday. — Jorge Gonzalez (left) and his one-year-old son Jorge Kilian (right) wander by shimmering ice formations at the Tianyu Lights Festival at Concord Mills in Charlotte on Friday. DIAMOND VENCES dvences@charlotteobserver.com