In autumn and winter it is time for the festivals of lights in North Rhine-Westphalia. © Lu Yang/Xinhua/Imago
Many NRW cities will celebrate spectacular light festivals in autumn and winter 2024. Light installations transform parks and inner cities into fantasy worlds.
Dortmund – The dark season is here. Perfect for light festivals on the Rhine and Ruhr. As soon as night falls, spectacular light installations shine in many places in North Rhine-Westphalia. RUHR24 has compiled some of the most beautiful festivals of lights:
Light festivals in NRW – 8 tips for autumn and winter
At the “Essen Light Festival” light installations run through the city center. © Ying Tang/nurphoto/Imago
Essen Light Festival: As darkness falls, visitors can go on a fascinating walk through Essen’s city center. Light installations turn the city center into a light spectacle. Buildings are illuminated and there are light shows.
When: October 2nd to 13th, 2024
The Duisburg Nord Landscape Park is the scene of a spectacular festival of lights. © Stefan Arend/Funke Photo Services/Imago
Light market in Duisburg: The location alone scores points here, as the Duisburg Festival of Lights takes place in the spectacular Landschaftspark Nord, an old industrial park. The British artist Jonathan Park designed the light art. The industrial buildings are illuminated colorfully and there are various works of art that complement the year-round lighting. In keeping with the beginning of Advent, the lights market is also a Christmas craft market.
When: November 29th to December 1st, 2024
Magical moments at the light festivals in North Rhine-Westphalia
You can now get to know Westfalenpark Dortmund at the Festival of Lights. © Ralph Lueger/Imago
Winter lights in Westfalenpark Dortmund: Light installations and video projections also transform Westfalenpark into a magical sea of lights at night. Thousands of lights then decorate the park. The light show is well known to Dortmund residents and is now famous far beyond the city limits. There was recently criticism of the Dortmund Festival of Lights.
When: December 7, 2024 to January 5, 2025
A swan sculpture at the China Lights in Cologne Zoo. © Lu Yang/Xinhua/Imago
China Lights Festival at Cologne Zoo: Over 100 bright animal and fantasy figures transform Cologne Zoo into a Chinese-looking fantasy world. In the evening the huge animals light up in various places in the zoo. If you are looking for a special adventure, you should definitely plan this visit to the zoo.
When: December 13, 2024 to January 2, 2025
Light Festival NRW: Soest winter rays and light trails in Wuppertal
The festival of lights transforms Soest city center into a fantasy world. © Alexander Ludwig/Chromorange/Imago
Soest winter rays: The city center is transformed into a sea of lights during the Soest winter rays. You can stroll comfortably through the streets by candlelight and light. Maybe with a mug of warm tea in hand? Attention: The festival does not take place until February 2025. You can read about the individual stations of the festival of lights on the Soester Tourism website.
When: February 14th to 23rd, 2025
A large festival of lights emerged from a community festival in Wuppertal. © S. Ziese/Imago
Light trails in Wuppertal: The Light Trails in Wuppertal will also take place next year. Every first Tuesday in February, the Ostersbaum district is transformed into a magical world of lights. The visitors join in and are out and about in colorfully illuminated costumes on February 4th. Candles (up to 7,000) shine in colorfully decorated glasses on the stairs. There is a fire show in Else Park.
When: February 4, 2025
Light Festival NRW: Autumn Lights Jülich and Autumn Lights in Hamm
Visitors to the Jülich Autumn Lights can expect exciting light effects. © Rudi Gigler/Imago
Autumn lights in Jülich: The Brückenkopf Park shines in bright colors at the end of October and beginning of November. Fog, light and sound create impressive scenes, like an entire scenery from Star Wars. If you come from the Jülich area, you should write this date in your diary.
When: October 19 to November 10, 2024
Artful light installations are typical of the autumn glow in Maximilian Park in Hamm. © S. Ziese/Imago
Autumn lights in Hamm: A 40 meter high illuminated glass elephant and oversized pictures – the autumn glow is always worth a visit. The Maximilian Park welcomes visitors with a huge moon, an oversized smiley face and a huge water wall on the “Maxisee”, which serves as a projection surface.
When: October 11th to November 3rd, 2024
In the dark season there is a wide selection of light festivals in North Rhine-Westphalia. In some cases these also flow smoothly into the Christmas markets (read more leisure news from NRW at RUHR24 here).
