Altstadtfunkeln Kaufbeuren
Light art festival, late-night shopping and street food enjoyment in the historic old town of Kaufbeuren
About Altstadtfunkeln
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In November, the historic old town of Kaufbeuren — Bavaria's westernmost Allgäu town in Swabia — transforms into a spectacle of light, sound, and culinary delights. Altstadtfunkeln is the umbrella event that, for the first time in 2025, brought together two long-standing traditions: Candle Light Shopping, which has combined late-night shopping with a festive Christmas atmosphere for over 20 years, and Kaufbeuren leuchtet, an artistic light installation featuring large-format video mappings on the historic facades of the old town.
The old town becomes an immersive light trail. On the Obstmarkt, a candle labyrinth with 1,000 lights is created, while at the Hafenmarkt, the Compagnie Artistica Anam Cara presents fire and LED performances. Video mappings are projected onto the historic architecture — the Town Hall, the City Wall Tower, the Holy Trinity Church, and the Fünfknopfturm. The 'Kaufbeuren leuchtet' edition regularly features invited light artists from the German and international light art scene.
In parallel with the light program, the old town's retailers extend their opening hours and offer special promotions. The gastronomy sector sets up tables and street food stalls along Kaiser-Max-Straße and Ludwigstraße. The Holy Trinity Church hosts brass band and choir music. A photo competition rewards the most beautiful snapshots with shopping vouchers from participating stores.
The event is supported by the Aktionsgemeinschaft Kaufbeuren and the City of Kaufbeuren's Cultural Funding Department. The format has quickly become one of the most popular autumn city festivals in the Allgäu region, positioning Kaufbeuren, alongside the medieval Tänzelfest, as a city with a confident event calendar.
Altstadtfunkeln — edition 2026
On November 13 and 14, 2026, the second edition of Altstadtfunkeln will take place, following the successful debut of the new format in 2025. Two evenings of light art, street food, and late-night shopping in the historic old town of Kaufbeuren.
Free admission. Opening hours Friday 4 PM–10 PM, Saturday 4 PM–8 PM — Retail and gastronomy extend their hours in parallel.
Programme Altstadtfunkeln 2026
Friday, November 13, 2026 — 4:00 PM–10:00 PM
- Atmospheric illumination of old town facades and squares
- Video mappings on the Town Hall, Church, and City Wall Tower
- Candle labyrinth at Obstmarkt with 1,000 lights
- Fire and LED performances at Hafenmarkt
- Street food mile Kaiser-Max-Straße and Ludwigstraße
- Extended opening hours in retail with special promotions
- Brass band and choir music in the Holy Trinity Church
Saturday, November 14, 2026 — 4:00 PM–8:00 PM
- Continuation of the light program in the old town
- Family-friendly afternoon with street food, hot drinks, and music
- Retail open with special promotions
- Photo competition "Altstadtfunkeln" — submissions via city channels, prizes: shopping vouchers from participating stores
Detailed artist and store program will be published shortly before the date on altstadtfunkeln-kaufbeuren.de and via the Kaufbeuren Tourist Information.
Highlights Altstadtfunkeln 2026
Prices Altstadtfunkeln 2026
Practical information — Altstadtfunkeln
Location
Historic Old Town Kaufbeuren — Kaiser-Max-Straße, Ludwigstraße, Obstmarkt, Hafenmarkt, Marktplatz, 87600 Kaufbeuren (Swabia, Bavaria).
Getting There
By car via the A7 (exit Bad Grönenbach or Memmingen-Süd) or the B12. By train to Kaufbeuren main station, 10 min walk to the old town. Recommendation: Public transport or Park & Ride, old town partially closed.
Opening Hours 2026
Friday, 13.11.2026: 4:00 PM–10:00 PM — Saturday, 14.11.2026: 4:00 PM–8:00 PM. Retailers extend hours beyond this.
Admission
Free.
Contact
Kulturförderung Kaufbeuren: 08341 437 597 — [email protected] — altstadtfunkeln-kaufbeuren.de.
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Travel to this festival
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