Festival of Lights
In October, light installations and projections turn landmarks like the Brandenburg Gate into glowing works of art for ten evenings.
Every October, the Festival of Lights floods Berlin with light for around ten evenings. Elaborate projections, light installations and video mapping turn landmarks like the Brandenburger Tor (Brandenburg Gate), the Berliner Dom (Berlin Cathedral), the Rotes Rathaus (Red City Hall) and the Siegessäule (Victory Column) into moving artworks, with artists from all over the world painting stories, patterns and color across the facades.
The best way to see it is on foot: many of the illuminated sites sit within walking distance of each other in Mitte, so a single evening loop covers most of the highlights. Access to the installations is free, and only guided tours and boat trips cost money. October evenings in Berlin are cold and dark early, which works in your favor here. To avoid the thickest crowds, start your walk right after sunset or leave it until late in the evening.
Neighborhoods to know
Read up on the districts around the event in our neighborhood guides.
Build Festival of Lights into your Berlin trip, with a place to stay close to the action.
Tours & tickets around Festival of Lights
Tours, tickets and experiences to pair with Festival of Lights. Bookable directly via GetYourGuide.
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What else is on
Carnival of Cultures
A colorful street festival around Pentecost, when Kreuzberg celebrates Berlin's diversity for four days with music, dance and a parade.
Open-Air Cinema
Movies under the open sky on balmy summer evenings, from June to August at dozens of venues across the city.
Long Night of Museums
One night in August when more than 70 Berlin museums stay open late, with a shared combined ticket and shuttle buses.