One hundred years after the publication of Einstein’s Theory of General Relativity, the UN General Assembly declared 2015 the International Year of Light and light-based technologies. Around the world, the year is being celebrated with programmes and events showcasing light as the source of life, peace and science. CERN has been joining in the festivities; with events showcasing “light as luminosity” in its High-Luminosity LHC (HL-LHC) upgrade project as well as its involvement in the SESAME synchrotron project in Jordan.