Bonn leuchtet

Three Evenings of Light in Bonn's Old Town

Bonn leuchtet is the light festival of the former federal capital. On the first weekend of November, Bonn's historic city center transforms into an immersive light sculpture: facades, squares, shop windows, and street furniture are adorned with light installations, projections, and illuminations. In 2026, the festival runs from Friday, November 6th, to Sunday, November 8th.

The Venues 2026

The festival utilizes the squares and streets of the entire Bonn Old Town:

• Münsterplatz — Bonn's most important square, with Bonn Minster as a light backdrop
• Marktplatz — in front of the historic town hall with its characteristic steps
• Friedensplatz — shop window and facade lighting
• Bottlerplatz — integrated into the walking route
• Remigiusplatz — light projections and installations
• Sternstraße — the historic shopping street with illuminated shop windows

The Concept

Bonn leuchtet is more than a classic light art festival: it is a city marketing format, supported by the association city-marketing bonn e.V.. Bonn's business owners atmospherically illuminate and decorate their shop windows, light artists create installations on the facades of public buildings, and small stages with live music and mulled wine stands turn the evening stroll into an experience. The SWB Bonuswelt of Stadtwerke Bonn has been the main sponsor for years.

Atmosphere and Program

Spread across the three evenings:

• Large-scale facade projections at Bonn Minster and the Town Hall
• Shop window competition with award-winning lighting
• Light art installations in several squares
• Pop-up gastronomy with mulled wine, "Schmalzbroten" (traditional pastries), crêpes
• Live music on small squares
• Family activities on Saturday and Sunday afternoons

Bonn — The Former Federal Capital

Bonn is one of Germany's most exciting medium-sized cities: once the capital of the Federal Republic (1949–1990), today it is a UN city, a university city, and the headquarters of the DAX companies Telekom and Post DHL. The historic Old Town with the Bonn Minster, the Beethoven House, and Sternstraße offers a compact backdrop for city light formats like Bonn leuchtet. It is North Rhine-Westphalia's most important medium-sized city on the Rhine.

Getting There

By train: Bonn Hbf (main station) is very close to the Old Town — a 5-minute walk to Münsterplatz. By public transport: Tram lines 16, 63, 66 (stop Universität/Markt). By car via the A555 (Cologne) or A565 (Eifel/Westerwald), parking garages City-Center, Markt-Karree, and Oper.