Travel Spotlight: The 22nd Annual 'Festival of Lights' in Berlin

Truly one of the great successes of post-Soviet Europe, Germany's unified capital of Berlin has arguably for more than two-decades-running been the epicenter of artistic innovation on the Continent. Indeed, one need only check the city's official tourism website to understand the true scope of its cultural offerings at any given moment..

One of our absolute favorites is the annual 'Festival of Lights', of which the 22nd edition will be taking place from October 9 - 18. This year's theme, which we are in highly enthusiastic agreement with, is 'Colours of Love' - because lord knows if there is one thing we need more of right now, it's "love" (especially if that "love" happens to be done up in dazzling technicolor).

It's important to note here that if Berlin is extremely adept at cultivating the arts, it's even better at throwing a massive, inclusive. feel-good party, one that brings together people from all over the world to escape the everyday banalities of life. After all, this is the city that for twenty-plus years played host to a music festival literally called 'Love Parade'. And while that event drew an impressive 1.5 million revelers at its peak, 'Festival of Lights' easily bests it, with an attendance of more than three million in 2025.

This year's festival offers many and sundry ways to join in the radiant celebrations, with advance-bookable bus tours, visually breathtaking boat trips, and also guided walks, for which we strenuously recommend rocking comfortable footwear. For a particularly awe-inspiring experience, we suggest reserving a space for ‘Beyond the Light: Reflections’ (October 9-11), at the stately 18th Century baroque Berlin Cathedral.

Music lovers should plan to catch the ‘Festival of Lights in Concert’ (October 13-17), with prominent Berlin artists like Alle Farben, Anja Schneider and Angolan-born DJ Ukãi Ndame providing the electro-ambient soundtrack, to a backdrop of brilliantly luminous three-dimensional video art.

“For ten nights, the whole of Berlin becomes a stage" enthuses visitBerlin CEO Sabine Wendt, "and that is precisely what makes the 'Festival of Lights' so special. When landmarks and buildings across the city are transformed by light and color, and millions of people parade through the city together, a unique atmosphere is created."

And, well, one can never really get enough of this absolutely incredible city.

Note to parents: Many Berlin museums offer free admission to children, so plan on catching some culture while you're in town. We also very much recommend stopping in for an elegant afternoon tea at the internationally renowned and celebrity-beloved Hotel Adlon Kempinski, a family experience you'll surely remember for an entire lifetime.

For those unable to be in Berlin for the festival this year, you can catch video highlights posted to their YouTube channel during and after.