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Berlin Festival of Lights: this route takes you to the most important light installations
When Berlin invites visitors to the Festival of Lights in October, the city transforms after nightfall. Facades, churches, towers and squares turn into atmospheric projection surfaces that draw people from many parts of the country. Many of these installations are far apart, however. If you want to see as much as possible without spending the whole evening travelling between locations, it is worth planning a sensible route in advance.
Here we show you a suggested route that leads through the historic city centre and connects some of the most important locations of the festival.
Festival of Lights 2026: light art across the city
The Festival of Lights 2026 takes place from 9 to 18 October. The light installations can be seen daily between 7 pm and 11 pm. Under the motto “Colours of Love”, artists explore different facets of love and connection. Berlin’s architecture itself becomes part of the staging.
All of these light artworks are worth seeing. Visitors who only have a short time in the capital often want to reach every single location. Yet it is usually far more rewarding to take in individual projections at your own pace and let them work on you. The walk through the illuminated city is a small adventure in itself. That is why we are showing you selected locations here that can easily be combined into one route.
Starting out at Alexanderplatz
A good starting point is Alexanderplatz. In 2026 the Berlin TV Tower will be part of the festival with a 3D video mapping show. Early in the evening it is worth arriving in good time, because experience shows that the square fills up very quickly.
Just a few steps away is St. Mary’s Church. Its architecture is staged artistically as well. The two locations form an exciting contrast: the modern TV tower on one side and one of the oldest churches in the city on the other.
If you start your journey through the Festival of Lights at around 7 pm, you will experience the first projections without the biggest crowds. As it gets darker, the light comes into its own more and more.
Light art in the Nikolaiviertel
From Alexanderplatz the route leads along Rathausstraße into the Nikolaiviertel. The walk is short, but the atmosphere changes noticeably. Instead of large squares and tall buildings, the scene is shaped by smaller lanes, historic facades and the area around the Nikolaikirche.
Several installations have been announced in the Nikolaiviertel. They include the video staging “Babylon Berlin” on Rathausstraße. At Nikolaikirchplatz you can see the installation “Angels of Love”, and there are also illuminated trees, illuminations at the Gerichtslaube and light accents around the Wappenbrunnen fountain.
Berlin Cathedral, Unter den Linden and Bebelplatz
After that, the route continues to Berlin Cathedral. At the Lustgarten, the cathedral’s striking dome becomes a projection surface. Thanks to its proximity to the Spree and Museum Island, this section feels particularly open. Several illuminated locations lie close together along this street:
- Humboldt University is given a facade staging
- Right next to it, the Staatsoper Unter den Linden is illuminated
- At Bebelplatz, St. Hedwig’s Cathedral and the Faculty of Law of Humboldt University are added
- The Hotel de Rome and the Behren Palais present a 3D video mapping show
Bebelplatz in particular is one of those places where a longer stop is worthwhile, because the individual facades stand close together here and there is a great deal to discover.
Finishing at the Brandenburg Gate or Potsdamer Platz
The Brandenburg Gate is an obvious highlight to round off the route. A 3D video mapping show has been announced at Pariser Platz as well; accordingly, it can get very busy here. If you do not mind crowds, you can let your evening at the Festival of Lights come to an end at the Brandenburg Gate.
Alternatively, you can extend the route to Potsdamer Platz. Several installations are concentrated in a small area there. The Kollhoff Tower is used for a 3D video mapping show. In addition, there are projections on the surrounding facades, a floor projection on the square and the installation “Papillons” on Alte Potsdamer Straße.
How to plan a relaxed evening
Allow around three to four hours for the route described. The point is not to get from one place to the next as quickly as possible, but rather to take in the magical moments of light.
This helps with your planning:
- Start shortly before the illuminations begin at around 7 pm.
- Plan a few fixed highlights rather than a seamless schedule.
- Expect larger crowds at popular locations, especially at the weekend.
- Dress warmly and wear comfortable shoes.
- Check the organiser’s current programme before your visit, as individual locations or times may change at short notice.
If you are spending the evening together with friends, you can also hire a minibus with driver or a limousine. That saves you looking for parking between the individual stops or travelling by public transport. You can decide on the route yourself. The local drivers of the Berlin bus company Drive 57 will also be happy to advise you on which stops are particularly worthwhile.
To the Festival of Lights with a group
This Berlin event is especially suitable for family celebrations or incentives. Companies and travel groups enjoy experiencing the magical light show together. The journey there and back can be made much easier with a shuttle service.
Drive 57 supports groups, event agencies and tour operators with individually organised bus trips through Berlin. Customers can hire a bus here and plan the evening individually. A shared dinner or a late transfer back to the hotel is also part of the service.
