Western Bay residents are being offered the unique experience of entering a 1000-square metre inflatable sculpture that plays with light this October.

The ‘luminarium' will be erected on The Strand waterfront between the playground and the Edgewater Fan as part of the Tauranga Arts Festival.

The Exxopolis 'luminarium' will be on Tauranga's waterfront from mid-October. Photo: Alan Parkinson.

It will open on October 16 – six days before the festival begins – and closes on the last day of the festival on November 1.

Tickets are for $12 each plus a booking fee, with discounted prices for families and TECT card-holders.

Entry will be limited to 80 people every 30 minutes to create as magical an experience as possible.

Exxopolis is one of several ‘luminarium' made by UK company Architects of Air, who say it holds light like an aquarium holds water.

Made of coloured PVC, Exxopolis was created in 2012 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Architects of Air.

The main dome was inspired by an English cathedral and features 10 ‘stained-glass windows', with designs based on Penrose tiling discovered by English mathematician and physicist Roger Penrose.

Tunnels connect the domes and the construction includes pods where visitors may sit and pause.

The shoe-free Exxopolis is designed to be accessible to all ages and abilities.

Since 1992, various luminaria have been shown in more than 500 exhibitions in 38 countries enchanting more than two million people.

Exxopolis tickets are available from Baycourt and Ticketek. Featuring performers from around the world, the Tauranga Arts Festival runs from October 22-November 1.

Tickets for festival performances are on sale now via: www.taurangafestival.co.nz