The Karlsruhe
Festival of Lights
Review of the Festival of Lights 2025
On August 22 and 23, 2025, the Festival of Lights took place in the Karlsruhe Zoological City Garden for the 49th time, and thousands of candles, LEDs, and lanterns transformed the park into an atmospheric sea of lights.
The Festival of Lights was an event organized by the Karlsruhe Horticultural Office and the Karlsruhe Zoo with the support of KME Karlsruhe Marketing und Event GmbH. The event format was discontinued with the 2025 edition, and there will be no more light festivals in the future.
Glowing swans at the 2025 Festival of Lights at Karlsruhe Zoo
Karlsruhe Zoo | Photo: Maike Kindinger
Review Program 2025
The Festival of Lights began at 3:00 p.m. on both days with a colorful program for young and old alike.
From 7 p.m. onwards, the Zoologischer Stadtgarten began to glow. Sea lions, colorful light cones, and an elephant accompanied the gondola boats on their journey across the Schwanensee and Stadtgartensee lakes with their luminosity. A glowing peacock, a Buddha, and a large butterfly provided the audience with a special park experience. A ride on the gondola was especially wonderful on these evenings. From the water, the many lanterns, lights, and illuminated figures could be admired in all their glory. A group of swans also shone brightly in the Stadtgartensee lake.
The gondola was in operation until 11:00 p.m. on Friday and until midnight on Saturday, offering only "half trips" (half distance) during this time.
In addition, a wide range of food and drink was available throughout the park. Food and drinks were served until 11:00 p.m. on both days.
-
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.
