The Karlsruhe
Festival of Lights 2025
August 22 and 23, 2025
The Karlsruhe Zoological City Garden lit up again!
The traditional Festival of Lights transformed the park into a colorful sea of lights again this year - for the 49th time! Thousands of candles, LEDs and lanterns made for a magical summer night.
Program 2025
The Festival of Lights starts at 3 p.m. on both days with a colorful program for young and old.
From 19:00, the Zoological City Garden begins to glow. Sea lions, colorful glowing cones and an elephant accompany the Gondoletta boats with their luminosity on their journey across the Schwanensee and Stadtgartensee lakes. A glowing peacock, a Buddha or a large butterfly provide the public with a special park experience. A trip on the Gondoletta is especially wonderful on these evenings. The many lanterns, lights and illuminated figures can be admired impressively from the water. A group of swans also lights up the Stadtgartensee.
The Gondoletta operates until 23:00 on Friday and until midnight on Saturday and only offers "half trips" (half route) during this time.
There is also a large, additional gastronomic offer spread across the park. Drinks and food will be served until 23:00 on both days.
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ENTIRE SITE
from 15:00 hrs | Family festival
LAKE STAGE
19:15 - 20:00 hrs | Taster Salsa Beginner Workshop
with Oliver ChimboChimbo, German Salsa Champion.
A very special summer night with tropical sounds, Latin American rhythms and a unique ambience between palm trees and animal enclosures. Ideal for anyone who wants to get a taste or brush up.
20:00 - 23:00 | Open-air salsa party with DJ Juan
GARDEN BADEN-BADEN - ENTRANCE SOUTH/HBF
19:00 - 23:00 | Swing dancing to moving swing music
with the dancers from Swing in Karlsruhe and the Golden Fifties
20:00 | Mini introductory workshop by "Swing in Karlsruhe" & dance show interlude with the Golden Fifties
Show interlude and taster course - no dance partner required
ACTION AREA AT THE CHESS PLAYING FIELD
15:00 - 19:00 | Solar lamp building workshop
Solar lamps can be made with the KUNSTBOX event service. There is a separate charge of €5 per solar lamp (material costs).
MEADOW NEAR THE CHESS PLAYING FIELD
15:30 - 18:30 | Reading sessions and craft activities
The Karlsruhe City Library provides entertainment with its "Bücherblitz" cargo bike and a colorful selection of media to browse through. There will also be reading aloud and craft activities.
-
ENTIRE SITE
from 15:00 hrs | Family festival
LAKE STAGE
19:00 - 23:00 | The KIT University Dance Orchestra invites you to a summer dance
Standard and Latin American dances
GARDEN BADEN-BADEN - ENTRANCE SOUTH/HBF
19:00 - 23:00 | Swing dancing to moving swing music
with the dancers from Swing in Karlsruhe and the Golden Fifties
20:00 | Mini introductory workshop by "Swing in Karlsruhe" & dance show interlude with the Golden Fifties
Show interlude and taster course - no dance partner required
ACTION AREA AT THE CHESS PLAYING FIELD
15:00 - 19:00 | Solar lamp building workshop
Solar lamps can be made with the KUNSTBOX event service. There is a separate charge of €5 per solar lamp (material costs).
MEADOW NEAR THE CHESS PLAYING FIELD
15:30 - 18:30 | Reading sessions and craft activities
The Karlsruhe City Library provides entertainment with its "Bücherblitz" cargo bike and a colorful selection of media to browse through. There will also be reading aloud and craft activities.
Tickets
Separate tickets must be purchased for the Festival of Lights. Annual tickets are not valid on August 22 and 23, 2025.
Tickets can be purchased from August 1, 2025 at zoo-karlsruhe.ticketfritz.de can be purchased. Tickets can also be purchased in advance at the zoo ticket offices (also for people with a Karlsruhe Pass).
The advance booking prices for the Festival of Lights are the same as the regular admission prices for the Zoologischer Stadtgarten. On the days of the event itself, however, there is a surcharge of 2.00 euros.
All general information about Karlsruhe Zoo can be found on the website of the zoo.
The Festival of Lights is an event organized by the Karlsruhe Horticultural Office and the Karlsruhe Zoo with the support of KME Karlsruhe Marketing and Event GmbH.
