Light Festivals in Germany: Where to Go in the Fall and Winter?

The light festival season is in full swing in Germany. Light displays are being set up in parks, zoos, botanical gardens, and historic city centers, and some events will run through February.

Where the light festivals are taking place, which ones are free, and what determines ticket prices—we’ll cover all that in this article.

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Which light festivals are taking place in Germany this fall and winter?

This season, light festivals are taking place in 12 cities in Germany: Krümgern, Hamm, Hemmer, Jülich, Schwerin, Gussum, Duisburg, Hamburg, Hanover, Berlin, Stuttgart, and Dresden. The first events end on November 1. ZooLights in Hanover will run the longest, until February 2. The programs feature light sculptures, projections, illuminated trees, animal figures, and festive illuminations of palaces and gardens.

Some of the festivals are already open, while the rest will kick off in mid-November. The main wave of winter events takes place from November 13 to January 10.

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Free light festivals in Germany

You can see light festivals for free in two cities: Krumgerne and Guzum. In Krumgern, churches, windmills, and historic buildings are illuminated daily from 7:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. through November 1. In Guzum, the Lichtkunstfest takes place in the city center from November 5 to 8, featuring light installations combined with maritime legends. No tickets are required for either event.

Fall Light Shows in the Parks of Gamma, Hemer, and Jülich

Three fall light festivals are taking place in the parks of Gamma, Hemer, and Jülich. Visitors can enjoy evening walks featuring light sculptures, projections, illuminated trees, and installations set amid nature. The festivals in Gamma and Gemera run through November 1, and the one in Julich runs through November 8. Admission to all three events requires a ticket; the minimum ticket price is €8.

• Gamma, Maximilianpark — Herbstleuchten, through November 1. Light sculptures, projections, and illuminated trees; tickets starting at €8.
• Gemer, Sauerlandpark — HerbstLichtGarten, through November 1. Light installations set against a natural backdrop, tickets starting at €9.
• Jülich, Brückenkopf-Park — Herbstlichter, through November 8. An evening stroll among light displays; admission fee applies.

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Light Festivals at German Zoos

Light festivals at zoos are taking place in Schwerin, Duisburg, and Hanover. The programs feature large illuminated animal figures, themed installations, and decorations. Wild Lights in Schwerin ends first (November 29), while ZooLights in Hanover ends last (February 2). Admission to all three festivals requires a ticket, so be sure to check the schedule and purchase tickets in advance.

• Schwerin — Wild Lights, through November 29.
• Duisburg — Zoolichter, November 5–December 6.
• Hanover — ZooLights, November 17–February 2.

We previously wrote about New Year’s 2027 in Europe, where to celebrate and what to see.

Christmas Garden in Germany: Berlin, Hamburg, Stuttgart, Dresden

This season’s Christmas Garden light festival is taking place in four German cities: Hamburg, Berlin, Stuttgart, and Dresden. The venues include botanical gardens, Wilhelma, and Pillnitz Palace. The Christmas Garden in Hamburg opens first—on November 13. The festival in Stuttgart will run the longest, until January 16. In the other cities, the lights will be taken down after January 10.

1. Hamburg, Loki-Schmidt-Garten Botanical Garden — November 13 – January 10. Illuminated paths, music, and millions of lights.
2. Berlin, Botanical Garden — November 18 – January 10. Light tunnels, large installations, and illuminated trees.
3. Stuttgart, Wilhelma — November 18 – January 16. A tour among exotic plants and historic buildings.
4. Dresden, Pillnitz Palace — November 19 – January 10. Festive illuminations of the palace and its gardens.

Europe’s most underrated travel destinations for 2027 — compiled in this article.

How much do tickets cost for light festivals in Germany?

The cost of admission depends on the specific festival. The illuminations in Krumgern and Guzum are free; tickets for the fall festivals in Hamm and Hemer cost €8 and €9, respectively. Winter events are mostly ticketed, and prices vary depending on the date of your visit, the age of attendees, and the time of entry. It’s best to check the exact prices for Jülich, Schwerin, Duisburg, and Hanover separately.
Before your trip, we recommend checking the festival’s current schedule and ticket availability for your chosen date.

Important! Light festivals take place in 12 cities across Germany, so it’s convenient to plan a route between several of them by car. To drive abroad, you’ll need a Green Card—an international motor vehicle liability insurance policy.

Get your Green Card on the Visit World portal in advance and plan your fall or winter trip to Germany without any hassle!

Reminder! In a previous article, we reported that airfare in Europe could become significantly more expensive in 2027.

Photo: jbrs.de

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