Event Dates
From: Friday, October 6, 2023
To: Sunday, October 15, 2023
Every year in Fall Berlin becomes the city of light art. The light productions on the world-famous landmarks of the German capital
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
- Awaiting motto and highlights for the 2023 event.
- 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 itself is transformed into a glowing stage and the landmarks, monuments, buildings, streets and squares become 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 7pm and 11pm 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 currently trending with our readers. All are close to the city’s top attractions, the light installations and gay bars:
Sheraton Berlin, RIU Plaza Berlin, Mercure, ArtHotel Connection.
Where to stay close to all the gay bars.
Our top 4 selections with the best rates.
The Mercure Berlin is our editors choice
for a gay hotel close to the gay bars
For further information and advice on
Berlin Festival of Lights The Website
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.
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We have chosen hotels in Berlin that keep you close to all the shops,restaurants & bars
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. A rich breakfast buffet is served each morning in the Elements breakfast restaurant.
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, high-speed internet can be purchased for a daily surcharge.
This hotel is set in a modern 17-storey building on Berlin’s Kurfürstendamm boulevard. The RIU Plaza Berlin is a 5-minute walk from Kurfürstendamm Underground Station and the world-famous KaDeWe department store. All rooms and suites feature luxury furnishings, a flat-screen satellite TV, a safe, fridge, air conditioning and a private bathroom.
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, rooms with a flat-screen TV, DVD player & iPod docking station.
Teaser – FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS 2021
Berlin is a diverse and inclusive city with a vibrant LGBTQ+ community. There are several popular gay neighborhoods that each offer a different vibe.
Photo: Schöneberg, home to Berlin’s popular gay bars and the Folsom Street Fair
Home to the famous East Side Gallery, with a diverse and multicultral LGBTQ+ scene with eclectic bars and clubs.
Up-and-coming neighborhood, popular with hipsters and home to the world famous, long running Schwuz nightclub