SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE
Light Festival Karlsruhe 2026
August 13 to September 13, 2026
In the summer of 2026, the entire city center of Karlsruhe will once again become a stage for impressive media art, fascinating illuminations, and luminous events for four weeks as part of the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE Light Festival.
For the 12th time, the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE Karlsruhe transformed the baroque palace facade into a breathtaking digital work of art that delighted visitors from all over the world. This year, under the motto "Lightyard Stories: Visions of Urban Living Spaces," they celebrated the special architecture and urban space of the UNESCO City of Media Art Karlsruhe.
Frequently asked questions
-
The SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE Light Festival is a festival for projection mapping, media art and fascinating illuminations in Karlsruhe's city center.
Every year, international artists develop 3D video mapping shows for the baroque façade of Karlsruhe Palace for the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE Light Festival based on a new theme. The result is one of the largest audiovisual digital works of art in Europe.
The SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE Karlsruhe took place for the first time in 2015 to mark the 300th anniversary of the city's founding, and have been a lasting success with international audiences. Since then, they have taken place every summer and the images have gone around the world.
-
The SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE (Castle Light Shows) will take place in front of Karlsruhe Palace from August 13 to September 13, 2026. The projections start daily at dusk, and the show times and programs change from day to day. A detailed schedule can be found at www.schlosslichtspiele.info.
-
No, the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE Light Festival is free of charge. However, you have the opportunity to support the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE financially and receive a wristband in return. Simply register at the info point on site.
-
We strongly recommend arriving by bicycle or public transport. Bicycle parking is available on the Schlossplatz. The bus stop "Marktplatz" is only a few meters away from the castle.
Arrival by train
From Karlsruhe main station, streetcars and S-Bahn lines 2, S1, S4, S11 and S52 run to Marktplatz (stops "Pyramide" and "Kaiserstraße"). From here it is only a 2-minute walk to Schlossplatz.
Arrival by car (note: major construction site at the parking garage on Schlossplatz!)
You can reach Karlsruhe via the A5 towards Frankfurt/Basel or the A8 towards Stuttgart/Mannheim Frankfurt. After the "Zentrum" exit, follow the white signs marked "Schloss". In the Schlossplatz" parking garage (Note: there is currently a major construction site there, so parking there is more difficult), in the parking garage "Zirkel" parking garage or "Marktplatz" parking garage you can park your car and reach the castle on foot in max. 5 minutes.
-
You can find detailed FAQs about the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE Light Festival on the festival website! If you have any questions, you can always contact info@karlsruhe-erleben.de .
Teaser 2025
Get your first exciting insights into the 2025 shows!