Event Dates
From: Wednesday, October 8, 2025
To: Wednesday, October 15, 2025
Berlin Festival of Lights 2025
Every year in Fall Berlin becomes the city of light art. The light productions on the world-famous landmarks of the German capital.
Berlin Festival of Lights 2025
Every year in Fall Berlin becomes the city of light art. The light productions on the world-famous landmarks, monuments, buildings and squares of the German capital make the FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS one of the most popular light art festivals in the world.
- Visiting Berlin? Stay in Schöneberg close to all the gay bars and light installations. The Riu Plaza is our top performing hotel with our readers, featuring spacious rooms and excellent location.
The Festival
- Next Edition – Wednesday 8th October – Wednesday 15th October, 2025.
- Together with national and international artists, the Festival of Lights Team transforms Berlin into one big shining stage – the whole of Berlin lights up! The city becomes a glowing stage and the landmarks, monuments, buildings, streets and squares become the stars.
- Berlin Festival of Lights tells stories, draws attention to what is hidden in the neighbourhoods, presents cultures and arts and transports messages and themes. Magic moments in Berlin.
- All illuminations at the approximately 70 locations will light up between 7 pm and 11 pm each night.
- Stay at the Mercure Berlin Wittenbergplatz, rated “Fabulous” by guests and close to all of the top light installations. It makes the perfect base for exploring the best of the light festival and is also close to the city’s historic gay scene.
Special events during the Festival of Lights
- Aside from the light projections, the Festival of Lights also includes various art and music events as well as guided tours that go by the name LightSeeing:
- Visitors can tour the highlights of the festival by bus, boat or, of course, on foot. Photography workshops, open house at selected buildings and charity events are part of the festival.
Illuminations in the Berlin city centre
- The participating monuments are mainly in the city centre. The light art installations on Bebelplatz are particularly impressive every year. Here, visitors can take in the colorful light art projections, perfectly matched to the conditions, from three sides. The light shows will be accompanied by music.
- For a luxurious light festival experience, stay right by the installations at the Regent Hotel, rated “Superb” by guests featuring luxurious facilities and spacious rooms.
- Another place with numerous different installations is Potsdamer Platz. This no less impressive hotspot is another one of the must-sees of the Festival of Lights.
Illuminated Buildings and Squares
- 35 locations become works of light art across the city. Among others, these include the Berlin Cathedral, the TV Tower, the Nikolai Quarter, St. Hedwig’s Cathedral, the State Opera House on the Linden, the Hotel de Rome, the Brandenburg Gate, Potsdamer Platz and Charlottenburg Palace.
Where to stay during the Light Show?
Enjoy the best of the light show and stay close to all the attractions. We recommend that you stay in the Tempelhof-Schöneberg districts where possible; close to everything including the gay bars and the best light installations.
The following hotels are close to the city’s top attractions, the light installations and gay bars:
Sheraton Berlin, RIU Plaza Berlin, Mercure, ArtHotel Connection.
Save on Hotels
Where to stay close to all the gay bars.
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
Where we stay!
The Mercure Berlin is our editors choice
for a gay hotel close to the gay bars
Official Website
For further information and advice on
Berlin Festival of Lights The Website
Gay Map of Berlin
Being such a large city, gay neighbourhoods are scattered around Berlin, in the districts of Schöneberg and Kreuzberg (the western part of Berlin) as well as in Prenzlauer Berg (eastern part). Recently, the district of Friedrichshain developed a trendy area for upmarket coffee shops and cocktail bars. The majority of the gay hotels, bars, cafes and shops in Berlin are located in the Schöneberg district.
Lützowufer 15, 10785 Berlin, Germany
This lifestyle hotel offers elegant accommodation and a modern spa with indoor pool, just 600 m from Berlin's Tiergarten Park. The Kurfürstendamm shopping area and Potsdamer Platz entertainment district are 1 km away.
The spacious rooms and suites of the non-smoking Sheraton Grand Hotel Esplanade Berlin feature a modern design and panoramic windows. They include a flat-screen TV, minibar, large bathroom and free WiFi.
Wittenbergpl. 3, 10789 Berlin, Germany
Mercure Berlin Wittenbergplatz is set in the Schöneberg district in Berlin, just a 1-minute walk from the KaDeWe and the Kurfürstendamm-boulevard.
All rooms at the Mercure Berlin Wittenplatz come with a flat-screen TV, and some also have a balcony. WiFi is provided free of charge, and high-speed internet can be purchased for a daily surcharge.
Martin-Luther-Straße 1, 10777 Berlin, Germany
This hotel is set in a 17-storey building on Berlin's Kurfürstendamm boulevard. The RIU Plaza Berlin is a 5-minute walk from Kurfürstendamm and the world-famous KaDeWe department store.
All rooms and suites at the Hotel Riu Plaza Berlin am Kurfürstendamm feature luxury furnishings. Each room includes a flat-screen satellite TV, a safe, fridge, air conditioning and a private bathroom.
Fuggerstraße 3310777 Berlin, Germany
This hetero-friendly gay hotel in Schöneberg is 700 m from Berlin’s Kurfurstendamm shopping area and the KaDeWe department store. The hotel's breakfast buffet is available until late, and Wi-Fi is free throughout the property.
A 10-minute walk from the many bars of Nollendorfplatz Square, the ArtHotel Connection has rooms with a flat-screen TV, DVD player and iPod docking station.
Lietzenburger Straße 13 10789 Berlin, Germany
Axel Hotel Berlin-Adults Only offers accommodation in the Schöneberg district, only 1.4 km from Kurfürstendamm. It features a restaurant, fitness centre, a garden and a rooftop bar with panoramic views. A 24-hour front desk, room service and with free WiFi are also available.
The designer rooms and suites include a large bed, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. The wellness area has a hot tub, a sauna, a Turkish bath, and a gym.
Potsdamer Straße 89, 10785 Berlin, Germany
This Apartment is 128 square meters and offers space for up to 10 people to sleep, live and cook. It has three separate bedrooms with king-size and single beds, a workplace with and a large seating area in the living room with Flat-screen TV & a fully equipped kitchen. Free WiFi
Motzstraße 10, 10777 Berlin, Germany
This self-catering apartment comes with high-ceilings, 1 Bedroom and bathroom with shower. The living room includes a seating area (sofa-bed) with a flat-screen TV. The kitchen is equipped with a Nespresso machine, & washing machine. Free WiFi, Sleeps up to 4
Schönhauser Allee 90, Berlin 10439
● Bear-friendly neighborhood bar
● Located in Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg
● Smoking bar
Monday-Friday 18:00 – 03:00; Saturday 20:00 – 03:00
Mulackstraße 13, 10119 Berlin, Germany
● Small bar in Berlin-Mitte
● Very busy on weekends
Monday-Thursday 20:00 – 03:00; Friday, Saturday 20:00 – 05:00
Motzstraße 28, 10777 Berlin, Germany
● Straight-friendly cocktail lounge bar
● Popular street terrace in good weather
● Karaoke on Tuesdays
Daily 15:00 – 04:00
Wühlischstraße 32, 10245 Berlin, Germany
● Friendly, arty gay bar
● Close to Boxhagener Platz
Daily 18:00 – 02:00; Friday, Saturday till 03:00
Lietzenburger Str. 12, 10789 Berlin, Germany
● Traditional, camp bar
● Mainly mature locals and friends
Daily 14:00/15:00 – 02:00/05:00
Welserstraße 27, 10777 Berlin, Germany
● Small traditional Berlin bar
● Mainly mature, local clientele
Daily 14:00 – 04:00; Friday, Saturday till 06:00
Urbanstraße 70, 10967 Berlin, Germany
● Gay bar in Berlin-Kreuzberg/Neukölln
● Smoking pub with live DJs on several nights
● Small cruising area in the basement
● Smoking pub with live DJs on several nights
● Small cruising area in the basement
Daily from 22:00
Chodowieckistraße 41, 10405 Berlin, Germany
Popular gay bar thats always fun an karaoke nights
Boxhagener Str. 114, 10245 Berlin, Germany
● LGBT bar in Friedrichshain ● offering regular drag shows
Tuesday-Thursday 19:00 – 02:00+; Friday, Saturday 19:00 – 04:00+
Motzstraße 19, 10777 Berlin, Germany
● Popular bar since 1990
● Located in the gay area around Motzstraße
Daily 19:00 – 04:00
Motzstraße 5, 10777 Berlin, Germany
● Cocktail lounge bar with smoking area
● Two rooms, second with music TV screen
Daily 20:00 – 03:00; Friday, Saturday till 04:00+
Kleiststraße 6, 10787 Berlin, Germany
● Mature and middle-aged clientele
● Music: Pop and German 'Schlager'
● Smoking bar
Monday-Saturday 14:00 – 01:00+; Sunday 12:00 – 01:00+
Nansenstraße 31, 12047 Berlin, Germany
● New bar for gays and friends
● Opened in 2023
● Little brother of Große Freiheit 114 and Das Hoven
Wednesday-Saturday from 19:00
Marienburger Str. 7, 10405 Berlin, Germany
● Cafe, bar and lounge in Prenzlauer Berg
● Mixed clientele
● Smoking bar
Tuesday-Thursday 19:00 – 02:00; Friday, Saturday till 03:00
Mehringdamm 61, 10961 Berlin, Germany
● Cafe-bar in Kreuzberg
● Mixed clientele
● Smoking area available
Tuesday-Thursday 17:00 – 01:00; Friday, Saturday till late
Reichenberger Str. 177, 10999 Berlin, Germany
● Popular LGBTQ-friendly bar in Kreuzberg
● Queerest night is Thursday
Tuesday-Saturday from18:00
Fuggerstraße 3, 10777 Berlin, Germany
● Small hustler and music bar in Berlin-Schöneberg
● Smoking bar
Daily 14:00 – 02:00; Friday, Saturday till 04:00
Fuggerstraße 33, 10777 Berlin, Germany
● Very popular, large gay bar in Berlin-Schöneberg
● Fair mix of locals and Berlin visitors
● Summer street terrace
Daily 15:00 – 02:00; Friday, Saturday till 03:00 in winter Monday-Thursday
from 18:00
Rhinower Straße 12, Berlin 10437
● Small LGBT-friendly bar in Berlin-Prenzlauer Berg
● Mixed clientele
● Smoking bar
Monday-Thursday 18:00 – 01:00; Friday, Saturday 18:00 – 03:00
Eisenacher Str. 3A, 10777 Berlin, Germany
● Frequented by rentboys (Ex Toy Boy Bar)
● Smoking bar
Daily 24h
Mehringdamm 62, 10961 Berlin, Germany
● Cocktails, drag shows, karaoke, Pop & Schlager
● Smoking bar
Monday 20:00 – 03:00; Tuesday-Thursday 20:00 – 04:00; Friday, Saturday 20:00 – 06:00; Sunday 20:00 – 04:00
Ziegelstraße 29, 10117 Berlin, Germany
● Gay bar with a French touch
● Long drinks, cocktails and wine
Monday 20:00 – 03:00; Tuesday-Thursday 20:00 – 04:00; Friday, Saturday 20:00 – 06:00; Sunday 20:00 – 04:00
Weserstr. 206, 12047 Berlin, Germany
● Gay-inclusive bar in Berlin-Neukölln
● 'For kings and queens and criminal gays'
● Mixed clientele
Monday-Thursday 17:00 – 02:00; Friday, Saturday 17:00 – 03:00
Fuggerstraße 3, 10777 Berlin, Germany
● Hustler bar and one of the oldest gay bars in Berlin
Daily 18:00 – 03:00; Friday, Saturday till 05:00
Kleine Präsidentenstraße 3, 10178 Berlin, Germany
● Stylish gay cocktail bar in the theatre and museums quarter of Berlin
Monday-Thursday 20:00 – 02:00; Friday, Saturday 21:00 – 03:00; Sunday 20:00 – 02:00
Eisenacher Straße 6, 10777 Berlin, Germany
● Simple pub in Berlin-Schöneberg, open day and night
● Smoking bar
Daily 24h
Fuggerstraße 37, 10777 Berlin, Germany
● Popular cruisy bar in Berlin-Schöneberg for bears, hairy and mature guys
Daily from 18:00/21:00
Revaler Str. 99, 10245 Berlin, Germany
● Music bar in Berlin-Friedrichshain with mixed clientele
Wednesday, Thursday 20:00 – 02:00; Friday, Saturday 21:00 – 05:00
Sachsendamm 76-77, 10829 Berlin, Germany
● BDSM club specializing in spanking
● Check their website for upcoming events
Motzstraße 19, 10777 Berlin, Germany
● Gay cruising bar in Schöneberg, opened in March 2024 in the former Tom's Bar
Daily 15:00 – 05:00; Friday, Saturday till 06:00
Website
Kleiststraße 35, 10787 Berlin, Germany
● Small gay cruise bar open 24 hours
● Be aware of the unique atmosphere
24 hours daily
Görlitzer Str. 71, 10997 Berlin, Germany
● SM & fetish after-work club
● Check their website for program details and mixed/gender-specific policies
Fuggerstraße 33, 10777 Berlin, Germany
● Lounge bar and dancefloor on the ground floor
● Cruising labyrinth and bar in the basement
● Mainly young and middle-aged clientele
Friday, Saturday 23:00 – 06:00
Motzstraße 25, 10777 Berlin, Germany
● Fetish-oriented bar, operating since 1995
● Dark cruising area in the basement
● Smoking pub
Monday-Saturday 21:00 – 04:00+; Sunday 17:30/21:00 – 04:00+
Urbanstraße 64, 10967 Berlin, Germany
● Gay underwear/naked club ● Minimum consumption: €16
Tuesday, Wednesday 20:00 – 04:00; Friday, Saturday 22:00 – 06:00;
Sunday 16:00 – 24:00
Am Wriezener bhf, 10243 Berlin, Germany
Hardcore men only sex club
Kleiststraße 35, 10787 Berlin, Germany
● Gay leather and fetish cruise bar
● Strict dress code
Wednesday 22:00 – 02:00; Thursday 22:00 – 03:00; Friday, Saturday
22:00 – 05:00; Sunday 22:00 – 02:00
Hohenstaufenstraße 53, 10779 Berlin, Germany
● In the pulsating heart of Berlin
● the Incognito Showpalast rises majestically
● an oasis of entertainment and glamour
Wednesday - Saturday 6:00 p.m. - 3:00 a.m
Simon-Dach-Straße 36, 10245 Berlin, Germany
● Our chilled bar is located in the heart of friedrichshain.
● Enjoy our special drinks, cocktails and us.
mon-sat 17.00 till late, sunday 16h till late. tuesday: queer night
Nollendorfstraße 1, 10783 Berlin, Germany
● gay bar with outdoor seating & entertainment, such as drag shows.
Tuesday to Sunday from 2pm
Adolfstraße 17, 13347 Berlin, Germany
● Fun gay bar with regular entertainment
Wed to Sat from 7pm
Warschauer Pl. 18, 10245 Berlin, Germany
● Popular Gay Club with 2 large air-conditioned floors ● the best electro, techno, dance, pop,oldie and Schlager beats.
Friday & Saturday from 10pm
Rollbergstraße 26, 12053 Berlin, Germany
● The SchwuZ was founded in 1977 and is Germany's oldest queer club ● and largest cultural institution in the queer sector.
Wednesday 7:00 PM - 1:00 AM, Thursday 7:00 PM - 1:00 AM
Friday 9:00 PM - 6:00 AM, Saturday 9:00 PM - 7:00 AM
Maaßenstraße 7, 10777 Berlin, Germany
● Popular gay cafe in Berlin-Schöneberg
● Bustling street terrace during summer
Daily 8:00 AM - 11:00 PM
Maaßenstraße 5, 10777 Berlin, Germany
● Renowned for a variety of quality coffees
● Great spot for people-watching at the street terrace
● Not specifically a gay cafe but frequented by many gay customers due to its location
Monday-Friday 07:00 – 19:00; Saturday, Sunday 08:00 – 19:00
Motzstraße 20, 10777 Berlin, Germany
● Trendy and spacious gay cafe in Berlin-Schöneberg
● Busy street terrace in good weather
Daily 08:00 – 20:00, in summer till 24:00
Pflügerstraße 19, 12047 Berlin, Germany
● New cafe and restaurant for queers and friends in Berlin-Neukölln
Daily from 09:00
Admiralstraße 1-2, 10999 Berlin, Germany
● LGBT-friendly cafe-bar in the heart of Berlin-Kreuzberg
● Large terrace and beer garden in summer
● Offers cakes, salads, hearty dishes, and more
● Hosts concerts and other events at night
● Attracts a mixed, international clientele
Monday-Thursday 17:00 – 01:00; Friday, Saturday 17:00 – 02:00; Sunday 15:00 – 24:00
Recommended Hotels in Berlin By Booking
Book with confidence. Get the best Prices from our partner Booking.com
We have chosen hotels in Berlin that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars
The Westin Grand
5 Star, Luxury
- 5-star luxury, spa, and grand staircase lobby.
- A short walk to the gay bars.
- Elegant rooms, flat-screen TVs.
- Offers a blend of historic charm and modern luxury, close to Brandenburg Gate, with excellent dining and spa facilities.
Mercure Berlin
4 Star, Readers Choice
- 4-star, near KaDeWe and Kurfürstendamm-boulevard.
- Close to the gay district.
- Flat-screen TV, & balconies.
- Ideal for exploring Berlin’s Schöneberg district, offering comfort and convenience with a touch of elegance.
Riu Plaza Berlin
4 Star, Great Value
- 4-star, modern building on Kurfürstendamm boulevard.
- A short walk to the gay bars.
- Luxury furnishings, flat-screen TV.
- Combines modern luxury with prime location, perfect for those seeking a stylish stay near Berlin’s top attractions.
ArtHotel Connection
3 Star, Gay Hotel
- 3-star, hetero-friendly gay hotel.
- Close to the gay district.
- Flat-screen TV, iPod dock.
- Located in the heart of Schöneberg, it’s an ideal choice for those seeking a vibrant, inclusive atmosphere close to Nollendorfplatz.
Video Of Berlin Festival of Lights
Teaser – FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS 2021
Top Gay Neighbourhoods in Berlin
Berlin is a diverse and inclusive city with a vibrant LGBTQ+ community. There are several popular gay neighborhoods that each offer a different vibe.
Schöneberg | Historic Gay District
Photo: Schöneberg, home to Berlin’s popular gay bars and the Folsom Street Fair
- Located to the southwest of the city center, Schöneberg is one of Berlin’s oldest and most famous gay neighborhoods.
- It has a rich LGBTQ+ history and is known for its lively gay bars, clubs, and LGBTQ+-friendly businesses.
- Schöneberg is home to KaDeWe, one of Europe’s largest department stores and a shopper’s paradise.
- Discover the best things to see and do in Schöneberg
Kreuzberg
Home to the famous East Side Gallery, with a diverse and multicultral LGBTQ+ scene with eclectic bars and clubs.
Prenzlauer Berg
Hip neighborhood with a mix of charming streets, cafes, and boutiques and Sunday’s Mauerpark flea market
Neukölln
Up-and-coming neighborhood, popular with hipsters and home to the world famous, long running Schwuz nightclub
Friedrichshain
Home to the world famous Berghain & LAB club, Friedrichshain has a punky alternative vibe
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