When it starts getting dark earlier again in autumn, Berlin begins to light up. During the Festival of Lights, the capital is bathed in imaginative projections. Under the theme ‘Colours of Love’, light art and video installations transform well-known landmarks and squares into luminous works of art. Make the most of the October evenings to stroll through the illuminated city and let yourself be enchanted by the light, music and atmosphere.
Experience 3D light art and electronic sounds in Berlin Cathedral, go on a guided ‘lightseeing’ tour, or look down on the glittering city of Berlin from the TV Tower. Here are our 11 tips to help you enjoy the Festival of Lights 2026 to the full.
Tip 1: Experience light art and beats at the Festival of Lights IN CONCERT
A real highlight is this year’s Festival of Lights IN CONCERT at Berlin Cathedral. Over five evenings, 3D light art and electronic ambient music merge to create an immersive experience. Renowned artists and DJs such as Westbam and Anja Schneider will provide the live soundtrack to the spectacular projections, transforming Berlin Cathedral into a fascinating space of light and sound.
The line-up at a glance:
- 13 October: 7.30 pm Chris Bekker · 9.30 pm Klangkarussell
- 14 October: 7.30 pm & 9.30 pm Westbam
- 15 October: 7.30 pm Klangkarussell · 9.30 pm Anja Schneider
- 16 October: 7.30 pm & 9.30 pm Alle Farben
- 17 October: 8.00 pm Anja Schneider · 10.00 pm Chris Bekker & Ukãi Ndame
When: 13 to 17 October 2026
Where: Berlin Cathedral, Am Lustgarten, Mitte
Tip 2: Take the Lightseeing bus through the sea of lights
Want to see as many illuminated highlights as possible without walking for kilometres through Berlin? Then hop on the Lightseeing bus and experience the Festival of Lights on a round-trip tour lasting around 2.5 hours. The double-decker bus takes you past spectacularly illuminated landmarks, whilst a guide tells you interesting facts about Berlin and the festival. You can get off at three photo stops to capture your favourite views. If the weather’s good, the bus roof even opens – offering the best views of Berlin’s sea of lights.
When: 9 to 18 October 2026, from 7 pm
Where: The tour starts at the Berlin Tourist Information centre at the Brandenburg Gate (in front of the entrance), Pariser Platz 1, Mitte; the tour ends at the Berlin TV Tower, Panoramastraße 1A, Mitte
Tip 3: Stroll through the illuminated city centre with Original Berlin Walks
Would you like to experience the Festival of Lights’ light art up close? On the Lightseeing tour with Original Berlin Walks, you’ll discover the spectacular illuminations on a guided walk through Berlin-Mitte. Along the way, experienced guides will take you to selected festival highlights and share fascinating stories about the illuminated landmarks and the city. Walking also gives you plenty of time to take in the projections at your leisure and capture your favourite photo opportunities. Put on some comfortable shoes and experience Berlin’s illuminated city centre step by step!
When: 9 to 18 October 2026, from 7 pm
Where: The tour starts at the Berlin Tourist Information centre at the Brandenburg Gate (in front of the entrance), Pariser Platz 1, Mitte; the tour ends at the Berlin TV Tower, Panoramastraße 1A, Mitte
Tip 4: Combine a boat tour with a lightseeing walk
Enjoy Berlin from the water and then immerse yourself in a sea of lights on foot: on the Lightseeing Combo Tour , you ’ll combine an evening boat trip on the Spree with a guided city walk to the Festival of Lights. From the water, you’ll first discover Berlin’s famous landmarks and soak up the evening atmosphere. Afterwards, a guide will lead you through the illuminated city centre to selected installations and projections. This way, you’ll experience Berlin from two very different perspectives in a single evening.
When: 9 to 18 October, times depending on ticket
Where: Friedrichstraße Station jetty, Reichstagufer (by the Tränenpalast), Reichstagufer 18, Mitte
Tip 5: Experience the sea of lights with Berlin Erlebnisse
As darkness falls, this 2½-hour guided city walk takes you right into the heart of the Festival of Lights. Starting in the historic Nikolaiviertel, the tour takes you past the illuminated TV Tower and Berlin Cathedral to Bebelplatz. The route then continues along Unter den Linden to the grand finale at the Brandenburg Gate. Guides will entertain you along the way with stories about Berlin, whilst you have plenty of time to marvel at the illuminations and take photos. Handy to know: the tour is wheelchair-accessible and also suitable for families.
When: 9 to 18 October 2026, from 7 pm
Where: The tour starts at St Nicholas’ Church, Propststraße, Mitte; it ends at the Hotel Adlon in front of the Brandenburg Gate
Lightseeing Experience City Walk
Tip 6: Get in the mood for the Festival of Lights with a boat trip
First discover Berlin from the water, then immerse yourselves in a sea of lights: on this evening city boat tour, you’ll cruise along the River Spree for an hour, passing well-known landmarks such as Museum Island, Berlin Cathedral, the Nikolaiviertel and the Government District. An audio guide provides you with interesting facts about the city along the way. Afterwards, the tour continues on foot: from the centrally located jetties, you can head straight to the Festival of Lights illuminations and explore the light art at your own pace.
Important to note: the festival illuminations cannot be seenfrom the boat itself.
When: 9 to 18 October 2026, 6.00 pm, 6.15 pm or 7.30 pm
Where: Friedrichstraße jetty, Am Weidendamm 1, Mitte, or Alte Börse / Hackescher Markt jetty, Burgstraße 27, Mitte
Tip 7: Take the Lightliner to the illuminated highlights
The Lightliner has been cruising through illuminated Berlin ever since the first Festival of Lights in 2005. On this roughly 2.5-hour bus tour, you’ll experience famous landmarks, squares and bridgesbathed in a play of light and colour. Along the way, professional guides will share interesting facts about Berlin and the illuminated sights. Two guaranteed photo stops give you the chance to get off the bus and capture the light art up close. A relaxed way to discover many of the festival’s highlights in a single evening.
When: 9 to 18 October 2026, from 7 pm
Where: Neptune Fountain, Spandauer Straße, Mitte
Tip 8: Discover the light art with Berlin Kultour
Berlin is aglow, and on this guided ‘lightseeing’ city walk, you’ll be right in the thick of it. Together with Berlin Kultour, you’ll stroll through the city centre in the evening and discover selected installations from the Festival of Lights. You’ll not only learn more about light art, but also about the stories behind the illuminated buildings and squares. Of course, there’ll be plenty of time along the way to soak up the projections and capture special moments with your camera. A lovely choice for anyone who wants to combine light art with Berlin’s urban history.
When: 9 to 18 October 2026, from 7 pm
Where: The tour starts at the Berlin Tourist Information centre at the Brandenburg Gate (in front of the entrance), Pariser Platz 1, Mitte; the tour ends at the Berlin TV Tower, Panoramastraße 1A, Mitte
Tip 9: Start your evening of lights from the water
Before Berlin lights up, you can enjoy a relaxed view of the capital from the water one last time. The one-hour Spree tour takes you past the government district, the Reichstag, Berlin Cathedral, the City Palace and the Nikolaiviertel. On the premium boat, you can choose between the sun deck and sheltered indoor seating. Particularly handy: the tour ends in the city centre on Friedrichstraße – from here, you can head straight to the Festival of Lights illuminations.
Please note: The light installations themselves are not yet visible during the boat tour.
When: 9 to 18 October 2026, daily at 5.30 pm and 6.45 pm
Where: Friedrichstraße jetty, Reichstagufer 18, Mitte
Tip 10: Experience the Festival of Lights together on a group tour
Berlin shines even more beautifully when enjoyed together: the Lightseeing tour for groups takes you on a walking tour through the historic centre and past numerous light art installations from the Festival of Lights. Starting at the Brandenburg Gate, the route takes you past illuminated landmarks such as Berlin Cathedral, Museum Island and the Humboldt Forum, all the way to the TV Tower. Along the way, experienced guides will share fascinating stories and give you plenty of time for photo stops. You can join a public tour or book an exclusive guided tour with your own guide – ideal for groups of friends, families, school groups or team events.
When: 9 to 18 October 2026, depending on the tour, for groups of 5 or more
Where: The tour starts at the Berlin Tourist Information centre at the Brandenburg Gate (in front of the entrance), Pariser Platz 1, Mitte; the tour ends at the Berlin TV Tower, Panoramastraße 1A, Mitte
Tip 11: Take in the view of Berlin’s illuminated skyline from the Sphere Tim Raue
How about a view of the Festival of Lights from over 200 metres up? At the Sphere Tim Raue restaurant in the Berlin TV Tower, you’ll not only enjoy a menu bearing the hallmark of Berlin’s top chef, but also a spectacular panoramic view of the capital. As the restaurant slowly rotates, night-time Berlin unfolds before your eyes – and with a bit of luck and a keen eye, you’ll spot some of the city’s colourfully illuminated landmarks from above.
Book a table in the evening and experience Berlin aglow from a very special perspective.
When: 9 to 18 October 2026, ideally after dark
Where: Berlin TV Tower, Panoramastraße 1A, Mitte
