Festival of Lights Berlin: the capital in colour

Each October the Festival of Lights turns Berlin's most famous landmarks into giant canvases for light projections and video art. From dusk until late evening, visitors stroll, cycle or ride between illuminated monuments across the city.

Fun facts

• The festival was first held in 2005.
• All projections are outdoors and free to see.
• Currywurst, Berlin's favourite snack, was first sold in the city in 1949.

What to see

• The Brandenburg Gate covered in moving images.
• Berlin Cathedral and the Humboldt Forum on Museum Island.
• The TV Tower on Alexanderplatz, Berlin's tallest structure.

What to taste

• Currywurst, sliced sausage with curry ketchup, eaten at a street stand.
• Döner kebab, which became a Berlin staple through its Turkish community.
• Berliner Weisse, a sour wheat beer often served with a shot of syrup.

What to do

• Take an evening boat ride on the Spree past illuminated buildings.
• Walk along the East Side Gallery, the longest remaining stretch of the Berlin Wall.
• Rent a bike and follow your own route between projection sites.

💡 Tip: The FEX Airport Express links BER airport with Berlin Hauptbahnhof in about 30 minutes. Weekday evenings are much less crowded than weekends.