The Festival of Lights is an annual event in Berlin, where the city’s landmarks are transformed into a huge light show. Here’s where and when it happens
Since 2005, Berlin turns its famous buildings, monuments, and squares into an outdoor light art museum for one week in October. This event is called the Festival of Lights and it is free for everyone.
Festival of Lights is more than just a light show. It features abstract films, 3D objects, and animated characters projected onto monuments, skyscrapers, and plazas, transforming buildings into living artworks.
In 2026, the festival will be held for the 22nd time, offering plenty of photo opportunities throughout the center of Berlin.
Photo by Chrissie Sternschnuppe@Flickr. CC BY-SA.
Throughout the entire week, the festival draws millions of Berliners and tourists to the city each evening to watch the spectacle.
When is the Festival of Lights Berlin 2026?
The 21st Festival of Lights Berlin 2026 begins on October 9th and continues until October 158th. The light show will start on at 19:00 and end at 23:00. The theme for this year’s Festival of Lights is “Colors of Love”.
Each year, the festival features a theme or motto, with messages and images inspired by it projected in dynamic animations onto some of the city’s most famous monuments.
This year, the theme is Colors of Love, and you’re invited to rediscover Berlin and fall in love with the city once again.
With so many people on the streets, it can be challenging to fully experience everything.
Photo by Chrissie Sternschnuppe@Flickr. CC BY-SA
A great walking route begins at Alexanderplatz. Start at the TV Tower, then head to the Berliner Dom. From there, stroll down Unter den Linden, passing Bebelplatz, and finish at the Brandenburg Gate.
If you can navigate through the crowds, you have the option to stroll through Tiergarten to the Siegesäule or head towards the skyscrapers at Potsdamer Platz.
Explore the complete festival program here:
festival-of-lights.de/en/programme-2026/
Where:
The monuments, buildings and squares in central Berlin
Price: Free
Family Friendly: Yes
