Events & Festivals

Each autumn the German capital becomes a city of illumination for the Berlin Festival of Lights.

This year will see art works in 70 locations spread all over the city. Many of the city’s famous landmarks will be lit up especially for the occasion in a series of light installations, making it one of the world’s most popular light festivals.

Each year the Berlin light festival attracts more than two million visitors every year, with lighting artists from across the globe creating amazing projections and 3D videos, in addition to light installations. The festival’s patron is the city’s mayor, Michael Müller.

Berlin Festival of Lights 2021 Programme

The theme for the 2021 Festival is ‘Creating Tomorrow’, which highights our responsibility for the preservation of the planet. Inspiring visions are themed under renewable energy, sustainability, CO2 neutrality and e-mobility.

Installations will be shown on major landmarks and squares, across all of Berlin’s neighbourhoods.

Lighseeing tours will feature guides who will explain to you the significance of the installations.

There will be a digital version of the festival, allowing everyone to enjoy the delights of Germany’s capital of light.

The festival is free for all to attend, and is barrier-free and accessible.

Details of the programme can be found here.

Berlin Festival of Lights on Tour 

A highlight for 2020 is that the festival will be driven across Berlin with a mobile projection art tour visiting neighbourhoods across the city on select evenings.

While in Berlin why not visit grafitti-laden Kreuzberg: Berlin Stuck in the 80s?

When is the Berlin Festival of Lights?

3 to 12 September, 2021. Most installations are illuminated from 8pm to midnight.

Where is the Berlin Festival of Lights?

70 locations across Berlin.

If you are looking for accommodation in Berlin, why not search in our handy form:

Further information on the Berlin Festival of Lights

For more information, visit the official festival website.

Things to Do in Berlin

If you are planning a visit to the German capital, then first take a look at the Visit Berlin website.

Main photo, courtesy of Visit Berlin, © Frank Hermann.