Name: Bad Zwesten Festival of Lights 2026
Start: 2026-07-25T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-07-25T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Kurpark am Kurhaus Bad Zwesten

Festival of Lights Bad Zwesten

About Festival of Lights Bad Zwesten

For almost six decades, the Festival of Lights has transformed Bad Zwesten's spa park into a luminous fairy-tale land every last Saturday in July. In 2026, the 59th edition takes place on Saturday, July 25th, starting at 6:30 PM. Over 20,000 colourful lights and countless fairy lights illuminate the spa park and pond areas, accompanied by live music, catering, and entertainment – a romantic sea of lights in the Hessian spa tradition.

Dates 25 Jul — 25 Jul 2026

Venue Bad Zwesten (06634)

Prices Since 0.00€

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Festival of Lights Bad Zwesten — edition 2026

59th Festival of Lights in the Bad Zwesten spa park. Over 20,000 colourful lights, fairy lights between the trees, live music, and catering – a romantic sea of lights in the Hessische Schweiz, traditionally on the last Saturday in July.

On Saturday, July 25th, 2026, from 6:30 PM, the Bad Zwesten spa park will once again be bathed in light for the 59th edition of the Festival of Lights. The program and performances will be published on badzwesten.de before the festival.

Highlights Festival of Lights Bad Zwesten 2026

59th edition – Tradition dating back to the late 1960s
Over 20,000 colourful lights in the spa park
Fairy lights and illuminated pond area
Live music and catering in the concert pavilion
In the state-recognized spa town of Bad Zwesten

Programme Festival of Lights Bad Zwesten 2026

Saturday, July 25th, 2026 — 59th Festival of Lights

From 6:30 PM — Opening of the festival in the spa park
Gradual lighting of over 20,000 colourful lights throughout the park
Long fairy lights strung between the trees and across the pond
Live music on the stage in the concert pavilion (exact performances will be published before the festival)
Catering stands in the park: food and drinks
Family entertainment and romantic evening atmosphere by the spa park pond
Program until the late evening hours

Note: Detailed stage performances will be published on badzwesten.de before the festival.

Prices Festival of Lights Bad Zwesten 2026

Symbolic entrance fee for the spa park (amount to be announced before the festival). Catering at usual prices.

Practical information

Practical information — Festival of Lights Bad Zwesten

Getting There

By car: A49 (Kassel–Schwalmstadt), exit Borken, then B485 towards Bad Zwesten. By train to Bad Wildungen, then bus to Bad Zwesten (approx. 25 min.).

Admission

Symbolic entrance fee for the spa park (exact amount to be announced before the festival). Catering and refreshments at usual prices.

Start

Saturday, July 25th, 2026, from 6:30 PM in the Bad Zwesten spa park.

Tip

For those planning their journey early: visit the Wandelhalle and the concert pavilion in daylight, stop by the café before the lights are turned on – the Festival of Lights only unfolds its full effect after dark. Sturdy footwear recommended (park paths).

Six Decades of Light Magic

Bad Zwesten – the state-recognized spa town in the North Hessian region of Hessische Schweiz – celebrates its Festival of Lights every last Saturday in July. 2026 marks the 59th edition: making it one of North Hesse's oldest and most traditional festivals of lights, firmly anchored in the regional summer calendar. The organizer is the Municipality of Bad Zwesten; a symbolic entrance fee is charged for the spa park (helpers and the setup team are still being sought).

Over 20,000 Lights

When the sun sets over the spa park on July 25th, 2026, the magic of light begins: over 20,000 colourful lights illuminate paths, trees, pond areas, and pavilions. Long fairy lights sway between the trees, and the spa park pond reflects the light, becoming the main attraction. The organizers' motto: „Glow of Lights, Music, and Lots of Entertainment“.

Program Starts at 6:30 PM

The official program begins at 6:30 PM in the spa park. Throughout the evening, the lights will be switched on, accompanied by a stage program with live music – the exact performances will be published on badzwesten.de shortly before the festival. Catering stands will provide food and drinks in the park, from classics to regional specialties.

Bad Zwesten – State-Recognized Spa Town

Bad Zwesten has been a state-recognized spa town since 1969 and is located on the edge of the Kellerwald-Edersee Nature Park. The spa park, with its Wandelhalle (promenade hall), concert shell, and large pond, is one of North Hesse's most beautiful parklands and the natural centre of the Festival of Lights. For those with more time: the Kellerwald-Edersee National Park with its UNESCO World Heritage beech forests and the Edersee lake are just a short drive away.

Helpers Welcome

The organizers are actively seeking helpers for setup, light installation, the ticket office, and dismantling. The Festival of Lights is traditionally a community project – anyone wishing to help can contact the Municipality of Bad Zwesten (Tel. +49 5626 773).