Hey there, fellow drivers! Let me tell you, when I first saw the 'Big City Lights' challenge pop up in the Winter Series 3 Festival Playlist, I thought, 'Piece of cake, right?' Just snap a pic of Guanajuato at night. Well, let's just say I spent a good twenty minutes driving in circles waiting for the sun to set before I figured out there's a much smarter way to do this. It's one of those 'why didn't I think of that sooner' moments, honestly. Completing this little task nets you the "Action!!!" Forza Link Phrase and, more importantly, 2 precious Series Points. Those points are your golden ticket to some seriously exclusive rides this season, so you don't want to miss out.
🗺️ First Things First: Finding Guanajuato
Okay, before we can photograph it, we need to find it. Guanajuato isn't some hidden shack; it's a major town smack dab in the middle-north of the map. Picture this: head east of the big volcano, and look just above the pink Horizon Festival Mexico symbol. Boom, there it is. If your map is looking a bit cluttered (we've all been there), here's a pro tip: hit that RB button to bring up the filters and uncheck everything except 'Landmarks' and 'Festival Sites'. Suddenly, Guanajuato will shine like a beacon.
Now, getting there. If you've unlocked fast travel (and let's be real, you should be smashing those bonus boards!), just hover your cursor over the town and press X. A small credit fee is a small price to pay for instant gratification.
🌙 The Nighttime Hack: No Waiting Required!
Here's the real magic trick, the part that saves you from staring at a virtual sunset. We're going to use the Event Lab. Once you've unlocked it (it doesn't take long), drive to any race that starts in or near Guanajuato and select 'Solo'. Now, look to the left menu—see that bright yellow Event Lab icon? Click on it to 'Browse Creations'.
This next step is key. Press the 'View' button on your controller to pull up the search bar. Simply type "Night" into the title search. The community has already done the hard work for us, creating custom blueprints set in permanent nighttime.
📸 Say Cheese! (Or, You Know, "Action!!!")
Pick the top result (it's usually the best-rated one), start the event with any car you like, and... welcome to night! Drive around until you find a scenic spot with the city lights twinkling. Now, hit 'Up' on the D-pad to enter Photo Mode. Frame your shot, get the perfect angle, and if you have Horizon Promo unlocked, just tap RB to capture the photo for the challenge. Easy as pie. Don't forget to quit the event from the pause menu afterward, and maybe throw a 'Like' to the creative genius who made the blueprint—it's the nice thing to do!
🏆 What's In It For You? (Spoiler: It's Awesome)
So, you've got the shot. What now? The rewards screen is a beautiful sight. You'll instantly get that "Action!!!" phrase to spam with your convoy (we all do it) and those 2 Series Points. Now, in 2026, these points are more valuable than ever. Let's break down why you're grinding these seasonal challenges:
| Series Points Unlock | Exclusive Car | Can it be bought? |
|---|---|---|
| Seasonal Rewards | Porsche Carrera, Toyota AT38 | No – Autoshow purchase is locked. |
| Series 3 Rewards | Zenvo TS1, Ford Mustang '71 | No – Autoshow purchase is locked. |
The word 'exclusive' means business here. You cannot simply waltz into the Autoshow and buy these cars with credits. The only way to get them is by earning those Series/Season Points through the Playlist. Sure, you might find one in the Auction House if another player decides to sell their hard-earned prize, but trust me, the price will be astronomical. Why spend millions when you can complete this straightforward, 5-minute challenge?
🎯 Final Lap Thoughts
Look, the Festival Playlist in Forza Horizon 5 is all about mixing things up and offering cool, bite-sized objectives. The 'Big City Lights' challenge is a perfect example. It seems simple on the surface but encourages you to engage with the game's deeper systems like the Event Lab—which, by the way, is full of incredible player creations even now. Using this method, you're not just checking off a box; you're experiencing a slice of what makes this game's community so special. So, skip the wait, embrace the hack, grab your points, and get one step closer to garage glory with those exclusive machines. Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a Zenvo TS1 to unlock. Happy shooting, and remember... Action!!!