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Event Details
Welcome to the Berlin Festival of Lights 2026
From 9 to 18 October 2026, Berlin transforms for the 22nd time into a giant stage for light art. Under this year's theme "Colours of Love", famous landmarks such as the Brandenburg Gate, the TV Tower, Museum Island and the Berlin Cathedral are covered in artistic light projections and 3D mappings. Over ten evenings, international and emerging artists bring the city's facades to life; the Festival of Lights has become one of the largest light festivals in Europe and draws millions of visitors every year.
Highlights
- 22nd edition of the festival under the theme "Colours of Love"
- Over 50 illuminated locations and landmarks across the city
- Light installations at the Brandenburg Gate, TV Tower and Berlin Cathedral
- Artistic projections around Potsdamer Platz and The Playce
- "Festival of Lights in Concert" with 3D light art shows and ambient music at the Berlin Cathedral (13 to 17 October)
- Guided lightseeing tours by bus, on foot or by boat
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Program
Over ten evenings, from 7:00 PM to 11:00 PM each night, numerous Berlin landmarks and squares light up. Potsdamer Platz and The Playce form one of the festival's main venues; at the same time, locations such as the Brandenburg Gate, Museum Island and Bebelplatz turn into a walkable light gallery. From 13 to 17 October, the "Festival of Lights in Concert" series adds immersive 3D light shows at the Berlin Cathedral, accompanied by DJs and artists such as Alle Farben, Westbam and Anja Schneider. The final list of illuminated locations is usually published shortly before the festival starts, as the selection changes slightly each year.
Tickets
Visiting the light installations in public spaces is free; the festival is freely accessible without registration. Costs only apply to additional offers such as guided city tours, bus lightseeing tours, walks including a visit to the TV Tower, or boat tours along the illuminated riverbanks; these tours can be booked through visitBerlin and tend to sell out quickly due to limited spots.
Visitor Tips
- Plan for two to four locations per evening rather than a rushed route through the whole city.
- Weekdays and later evening hours are quieter for photos; full darkness produces stronger colors.
- With children, an earlier start shortly after 7:00 PM is worthwhile.
- Bring warm clothing, as October evenings are already cool.
- Use public transport, as heavy crowds are expected around the main venues.
Note: The information on this page was researched at the time of writing and may have changed since then (e.g. date, venue, or program). Visit the organizer's official website →
The photo used is illustrative and does not necessarily depict the actual event.
Things to Do in Berlin
Weltballon Berlin
The Weltballon near Checkpoint Charlie lifts visitors 150 metres above Berlin in an open gondola for sweeping views over the city centre. The ride of about 15 minutes combines a spectacular panorama with a view over the former Wall strip.
Alexanderplatz
Alexanderplatz is one of Berlin's busiest squares, defined by the television tower, the World Clock and the distinctive postwar East German architecture around it.
AlexBalkon
On the 37th floor of the Park Inn Hotel at Alexanderplatz, the AlexBalkon offers a calmer panoramic view over Berlin than the nearby TV Tower.
Allied Museum Berlin
The AlliiertenMuseum in Dahlem documents the history of the Western Allies in Berlin from 1945 to 1994 with original objects such as the airlift aircraft.
Alte Nationalgalerie Berlin
The Alte Nationalgalerie Berlin displays 19th-century masterpieces from Caspar David Friedrich to the Impressionists in a temple-like building on Museum Island.
Altes Museum Berlin
The Altes Museum on Museum Island displays ancient art from Greece, Etruria and Rome in a neoclassical masterpiece by Karl Friedrich Schinkel.
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