When darkness spreads her cloak across the night, the fields fall silent and the stars begin to shine. In the cities, however, something different happens. Billboards blaze and candles flicker, neon buzzes and halogen strides into town like it owns the place.

To celebrate the theme of “night” on this week’s #FriFotos, here are seven of my favourite photos of cities at night – each radiant in their own way and shining a light on the imagination of humanity.

7 of the Best Photos of Cities at Night

1) Singapore by Night

While I don’t hold to the notion that Singapore is sterile, I can understand how the idea started. Just look at these artificial trees built on reclaimed land glowing with light in an orchestrated night show.

2) Birgu, Malta by Night

In Malta, on the other hand, residents opt for lower level illumination. Once a year they tie candles to door frames, window sills and street steps to make their city sparkle during the Candle Festival, Malta.

3) Petra, Jordan by Night

Quieter still are the flickers at Petra by Night, as candles glow softly in white paper bags in front of the 1800 year old Nabotean facade.

4) Tokyo at Night

Despite dripping with neon and scraping the sky elsewhere, Tokyo impresses the most with these traditional lanterns in the alleyways at night in Shinjuku.

5) Quito by Night

Quito, by contrast, falls silent at night. At daybreak, pigeons flutter across this colonial cobbled square. Children play and hawkers hawk and parents carry piñatas under their arms in the shape of Elsa from Frozen or the ears of Mickey Mouse. But after dark, the city sleeps. It needs to, days here in Ecuador often get started even before six.

6)Krakow by Night

At ground level in Krakow, raw pink and purple lights pulse into the vodka-warmed streets where shadows lead to staircases that crawl into underground clubs. 54 metres above the ground, however, Krakow at night relives a tradition that’s been going for a thousand years…

7) Paris by Night

Because, ah…Paris. I know your countrymen hate you…but to me, you’ll always be beautiful.

Good night all!