Bad Friedrichshall shines
Biennial light festival with facade illumination, stilt walkers, soap bubble and fire show
About Bad Friedrichshall shines
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Bad Friedrichshall shines — biennial light festival in Kochendorf
Bad Friedrichshall shines is one of the most original city festivals in the Heilbronn district. Every two years — alternating with the Street Theatre Festival — the Rathausvorplatz in the Kochendorf district is transformed into an open-air light art spectacle for one evening. The 2026 edition will take place on Saturday, May 9, from 6 PM to 11:30 PM.
Facade illumination by Daniel Liewald
The artistic centerpiece of the festival is the facade illumination by the renowned Tübingen light artist Daniel Liewald. Liewald has been working with state-of-the-art projection techniques for years — video mapping, animated visual worlds, dramaturgically composed light choreographies. The Bad Friedrichshall town hall serves as the projection surface; a specially composed light-sound show combines visual staging with musical accompaniment.
Program and attractions
In addition to the main light art attraction, the program is packed:
- Stilt walkers move through the festival grounds — costumed artists several meters high
- Soap bubble show — large soap bubbles with light effects
- Fire show — fire eaters and pyrotechnic performance
- Two live bands on the festival stage
- Culinary offerings from regional providers — Bratwurst, Maultaschen, Goulash, Crepes, regional wines, mulled wine (serving ends early, as it's still May)
- Open Town Hall 6 PM–9:30 PM — visitors can tour the town hall, which is normally only accessible during the day
Bad Friedrichshall and Kochendorf
Bad Friedrichshall (around 19,500 inhabitants, Heilbronn district, AGS 08125) is a saltworks town at the confluence of the Neckar and Jagst rivers, about 10 km north of Heilbronn. The town was formed in 1933 by the merger of Kochendorf, Hagenbach, Jagstfeld, and Plattenwald. Kochendorf is the historic core with the current town hall — the event 'Bad Friedrichshall shines' uses this architectural landmark as its central stage. The town is known for its saltworks history (salt extraction until 1996), the Kochendorf Salt Mine (tours available), and the Kochendorf pumped-storage power station.
Bad Friedrichshall shines — edition 2026
Bad Friedrichshall shines May 9, 2026
The 2026 edition confirms the popular format: the town hall becomes a light art stage, Daniel Liewald stages the facade with video mapping and light choreography, complemented by numerous accompanying attractions — stilt walkers, soap bubbles, fire show, bands.
As with every edition, the town hall opens its doors between 6 PM and 9:30 PM — a rare opportunity to see the interior of the Bad Friedrichshall administrative building without a business appointment.
Programme Bad Friedrichshall shines 2026
Program May 9, 2026, 6 PM–11:30 PM
- 6 PM: Festival opening on Rathausvorplatz Kochendorf
- 6 PM–9:30 PM: Open Town Hall — Tour of the administrative building
- Light Art: Facade illumination of the town hall by Daniel Liewald (Tübingen) with video mapping and light-sound show
- Stilt walkers: costumed artists several meters high
- Soap bubble show: large soap bubbles with light effects
- Fire show: fire eaters and pyrotechnic performance
- Two live bands: musical accompaniment to the light staging
- Culinary: regional specialties — Bratwurst, Maultaschen, Crepes, wine, mulled wine
- 11:30 PM: Festival ends
Highlights Bad Friedrichshall shines 2026
- Spectacular facade illumination by Tübingen light artist Daniel Liewald
- Light-sound show with compositionally coordinated music
- Open Town Hall 6 PM–9:30 PM
- Stilt walkers, soap bubbles, fire show
- Two live bands
- Biennial format (alternating with Street Theatre Festival)
- Free admission
Prices Bad Friedrichshall shines 2026
Free admission to the entire festival grounds, the open town hall, and all show elements. Food and drinks at the catering stands at market prices.
Practical information — Bad Friedrichshall shines
Getting there
Train: Bad Friedrichshall-Jagstfeld station (Frankenbahn, Heilbronn–Mannheim line), then bus or a 15-minute walk to Kochendorf.
Car: A6 exit Bad Friedrichshall, then follow signs for Kochendorf. Parking available around the town center.
Program May 9, 2026
- 6 PM: Festival opening
- 6 PM–9:30 PM: Open Town Hall
- Throughout the evening: Facade illumination, light-sound show, stilt walkers, soap bubble show, fire show, two bands
- Food and drinks available continuously
- Festival ends: 11:30 PM
Admission
Free admission to the entire festival grounds and the open town hall.
Tip
The facade illumination is best viewed after sunset — arrive around 8 PM for the visual highlight. The light festival and the Street Theatre Festival alternate — the Street Theatre Festival is planned for 2027.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Bad Friedrichshall shines al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Bad Friedrichshall shines
Rathausvorplatz Kochendorf, Bad Friedrichshall
Rathausvorplatz Kochendorf, 74177 Bad Friedrichshall