Every autumn, when the days get shorter again, Berlin shines particularly bright for you. Where? All over the city! The Brandenburg Gate, Berlin Cathedral, the TV-tower and many other buildings and squares glow in the most magnificent colours deep into the night. The artful illuminations by artists from many countries will leave you marvelling, dreaming and happy.
This year's Year of the Fall of the Wall, the 20th Festival of Lights is all about freedom. Stories big and small will be told that make Berlin a very special place full of hope, confidence and creativity. Find out the hotspots you shouldn't miss. Our pictures give you impressions of the festival from recent years.
Tip 1: Brandenburg Gate - light magic at the most famous landmark
Five artists from four nations, from Bulgaria, the United Arab Emirates, China and Germany, transform the Brandenburg Gate for the FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS Award "United We Shine" into an impressive homage to freedom. Enjoy the glamorous 3D video mapping show on the Brandenburg Gate, which celebrates the spirit of independence.
Tip: Continue walking Unter den Linden to Bebelplatz to see numerous other installations.
When: 4 to 13 October (on 7 October only from 9 pm). October only from 9 pm)
Where: Pariser Platz, Mitte
Tip 2: Thierry Noir & Otto Schade am Berliner Dom
The monumental façade of the Berlin Cathedral is the bearer of imaginative, moving messages this year. Various international artists, including Thierry Noir, whose colourful heads you probably know from the East Side Gallery, Otto Schade, Oko or Susan Gurnee present their vision of freedom.
The exclusive Ambient Live Set by Paul van Dyk is unfortunately already sold out.
When: 4 to 13 October
Where: Lustgarten, Mitte
Tip 3: XL bus and boat tour - experience the festival on water and on land
It doesn't get much more convenient than this: Experience four hours of Festival of Lights from the bus combined with a boat ride on the river Spree. Relax on the ship's deck while the magical worlds of light and sights pass by. A German and English-speaking live guide, an original Berlin currywurst, soft drink and great perspectives are included.
When: 4 to 13 October, Sunday to Thursday 7 pm (admission from 6.30 pm), Friday to Saturday 6.30 pm (admission from 6 pm)
Where: Meeting point Potsdamer Platz/ Gabriele-Tergit-Promenade, Tiergarten
Tip 4: Nikolaiviertel - light magic and enchanted alleyways
Go to the Nikolaiviertel with your children at the end, because you won't be able to get them out of here: The alleyways around St Nicholas Church and the Red Town Hall look like something out of a Harry Potter film. A white owl floats towards you right at the façade of the former Kaufhaus Israel department stores', the gateway to the Nikolai quarter, you stroll past the small shops on Nussbaumstraße under colourfully illuminated trees and the green space next to the church is transformed into a fairytale meadow by huge, glowing crystal flowers.
When: 4 to 13 October
Where: Nikolaikirche, Nilkolaikirchplatz 1, Mitte; Rotes Rathaus, Rathausstr.15, Mitte
Tip 5: Set the scene at Potsdamer Platz
Ornaments and light motifs cover the floor of Potsdamer Platz like a glowing carpet. But you can also stage yourselves perfectly in front of spectacular projections all around. The gigantic façades of the Ritz Carlton, P5, Kollhoff Tower and Forum Tower are illuminated with artistic motifs. The Playce invites you to walk under glowing stars and interact with thousands of LEDs in the Quantum Jungle.
Tip: The entire length of Altes Potsdamer Straße becomes a wonderland of sound and light. Dive away from everyday life and walk through the black light tunnel at Haus Huth (Alte Potsdamer Straße 7) directly into the world of Alice in Wonderland.
When: 4 to 13 October
Where: Around Potsdamer Platz, Mitte
Tip 6: TV tower shines under the sign of freedom
To mark the 35th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall, the Television Tower shines under the sign of freedom. Artists from six countries immerse the 200-metre-high Berlin landmark in ever-changing colour projections. Under the motto "Share your Light - Express yourself", the TV tower will become a dynamic light sculpture. From images of nature and digital codes to surrealistic elements, the imaginative 3D video animations will light up the sky above Berlin with stories about freedom.
When: 4 to 13 October
Where: Panoramastraße 1A, Mitte
Tip 7: Lightseeing city tour - walk through the sea of lights
A great idea, alone, with friends or with the whole family: Let us take you on a guided adventure tour. This way, you can fully indulge in the magical impressions of the transformed city and don't have to decide which way to go at any crossroads. A two-and-a-half-hour tour on foot is offered every evening at dusk, of course with plenty of stops to take photos.
When: 4 to 13 October, daily from 19.00 pm
Where: Meeting point Nikolaikirche, Probststraße, Mitte; end of the tour at Hotel Adlon, Pariser Platz, Mitte
Tip 8: Where heaven and earth meet - Bebelplatz & Sankt Hedwigs-Kathedrale
At the Festival of Lights you can get a foretaste of the impressive redesign of the dome of the Saint Hedwig's Cathedral, which will reopen on 24. November this year. Under the motto "Heaven and earth touch anew", a unique light installation will accentuate the enormous dome of this episcopal church.
Of course, the buildings around Bebelplatz will be illuminated again this year, from the Faculty of Law of the HU to the Hotel de Rome and Behren Palais.
When: 4 to 13 October (the programme starts on 7 October).
Where: Bebelplatz, Mitte
Tip 9: Charlottenburg Palace - a dream for tomorrow
This is where dreams become reality: Once again this year, Schloss Charlottenburg will be the impressive backdrop for fantastic video projections. Under the motto "Dreams of Tomorrow", the artists immerse the façade of the palace in a vibrant play of light that thematises the diversity of life. Together with the WWF, the installation illuminates the beauty of our planet Earth.
When: 4 to 13 October
Where: Spandauer Damm 10, Charlottenburg
Tip 10: Victory Column - Invitation to play & dream
The Victory Column is both an undisputed and controversial landmark of Berlin. After all, it bears witness to the numerous wars of the Prussian rulers. This makes its colourful transformation into a shining beacon of togetherness all the more fitting. This year, the video projection, which is being presented in collaboration with LEGO, has the motto "Play" and calls for people to spend more time playing together.
When: 4 to 13 October
Where: Großer Stern 1, Tiergarten
Tip 11: Feel the pulse of the city in the historic Siemensbahn
For the Festival of Lights, the 800-metre-long steel viaduct on the historic Siemensbahn shines in a pulsating light and sound installation. The sequencing machine imitates the flow of movement of people in the city. The installation will give you a first glimpse of this once forgotten part of Siemensstadt, which is being developed as part of the i2030 project. From 2029, the Siemensbahn will connect the new Siemensstadt Square district to the S-Bahn.
When: 4 to 13 October
Where: Wolhrabedamm 2, Charlottenburg
Find out more about the Festival of Light in Berlin at visitBerlin.de.
