Systems and methods for providing active ceiling display on the ceiling of a vehicle that is manipulated by occupant gestures. A display provides an area of illumination that illuminates at least a portion of the interior of a vehicle. The occupant manipulates aspects of the area of illumination with gestures. The system causes an area of illumination to follow the movements of an occupant. The system changes aspects of illumination within the vehicle based on the activities of an occupant, mood of the occupants, and ambient lighting inside and outside the vehicle.