Christmas Garden Insel Mainau
Illuminated 3-km circular path with over 30 light installations on the flower island in Lake Constance — fifth season
About Christmas Garden Mainau
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Magic of Lights on Mainau Island
The Christmas Garden Mainau Island is one of the highlights of the winter Lake Constance. Since 2022, Mainau Island — the famous flower island in western Lake Constance, part of the city of Konstanz (Konstanz district, AGS 08335) — transforms every year from mid-November to early January into an evening light park. In 2026, the fifth season will run with newly designed light worlds and a revised route.
3-km Circular Path, Over 30 Installations
Visitors follow a 3 km long circular path through the park of Mainau Island. They pass over 30 light installations — some consist of thousands of LED light points, others are artistic sculptures, and others project mapping images onto the trees. Classics of the concept:
- Tunnel of Lights — the famous light tunnel that surrounds the visitors
- Star Field — thousands of stars as a ground installation
- Staged Trees — the Mainau trees bathed in colorful light
- Mapping Projections on castle walls and water surfaces
Each season, the composition is reassembled, so repeat visitors can discover new things. Several music tracks accompany different sections of the route — from classical Christmas music to instrumental ambient music.
Family Days and Children's Program
On certain Sundays during the program, additional family days take place — with a dedicated children's program, face painting, storytelling, and sometimes children's choirs performing live along the path. The exact dates will be published in good time on the website. Children under 6 years have free admission — making the Christmas Garden a family-friendly destination.
Mainau Island — Flower Island in Lake Constance
Mainau Island, with its 45 hectares, is one of Germany's most famous islands. It lies in the western part of Lake Constance between Konstanz and Meersburg and is accessible via a bridge from the mainland. In summer, it is known worldwide as a flower island; in winter, with the Christmas Garden, it shows a second, completely different side. The organizer is Insel Mainau GmbH, the family business of the House of Bernadotte, in cooperation with Christmas Garden Deutschland, a brand of the organizer of botanical garden and park light events worldwide.
Sustainability Certified
The Christmas Garden Mainau is certified Green Event BW and Green Destinations. The lighting uses energy-efficient LEDs, travel is bundled via VVO tariff, and the catering relies on regional suppliers. These awards are rare in the industry of large light experiences.
Restaurant and Mulled Wine Offer Along the Route
Along the circular path, the restaurants of Mainau Island (Schwedenschänke, Bistro) and additional catering stands for mulled wine, punch, bratwurst, soup, and small meals are open. Punch, children's punch, and baked goods are also available.
Christmas Garden Mainau — edition 2026
Season Schedule 2026/2027
The season opens on Wednesday, November 19, 2026. From 11/19/2026 to 1/9/2027, the Christmas Garden is open daily from 5 PM — with the following closing days: Nov 24, Nov 25, Dec 1, Dec 2, Dec 24 (Christmas Eve), and Dec 31, 2026 (New Year's Eve).
Daily Schedule
- 4:30 PM: Box office opens on the mainland parking lot
- 5:00 PM: First entry to the island — start of the light trail
- 5:00 PM–8:00 PM: Entry time window (online tickets with specific entry time)
- 8:00 PM: Last entry
- 9:30 PM: Island closes
The Light Worlds 2026
For the 5th season, the circular path has been completely redesigned according to the organizer — new light worlds, a changed route layout, and new soundtracks. The exact list of 30+ installations is described on christmas-garden.de/mainau. Classics like the Tunnel of Lights and the Star Field remain components, supplemented by new stagings.
Family Days
On several Sundays during the season, family days take place with additional children's programs (storytelling, face painting, occasional children's choir). Exact dates from November 2026 on the website.
Restaurants and Catering
- Schwedenschänke — main restaurant of the island
- Bistro — smaller snacks and drinks
- Catering stands along the circular path (mulled wine, bratwurst, punch, soups)
Programme Christmas Garden Mainau 2026
Christmas Garden Mainau 2026/2027 — Season Program
Season Duration
- Start: Thursday, November 19, 2026
- End: Saturday, January 9, 2027
- Closed Days: Nov 24, Nov 25, Dec 1, Dec 2, Dec 24, Dec 31, 2026
Daily Schedule
- 4:30 PM — Box office opens (mainland parking lot)
- 5:00 PM — First entry to the island — start of the light trail
- 5:00 PM–8:00 PM — Time window for online ticket entry
- 8:00 PM — Last entry
- 9:30 PM — Closing
The Light Worlds — Selection
- Tunnel of Lights — illuminated tunnel as a classic of the Christmas Garden
- Star Field — thousands of luminous stars as a ground installation
- Mapping Projections on castle walls and water surfaces
- Staged Trees — old park trees illuminated in color
- … and over 25 other new and classic installations (full list on the website)
Family Days
On several Sundays during the season (dates from November 2026 on the website) with children's program: storytelling, face painting, occasional children's choir.
Catering
Schwedenschänke, Bistro, and catering stands along the route. Mulled wine, punch, bratwurst, soup, children's punch.
Tickets and current program details at christmas-garden.de/mainau/tickets.
Highlights Christmas Garden Mainau 2026
- 5th season with a new 3-km circular path
- Over 30 light installations
- Tunnel of Lights as a classic
- Family days on selected Sundays
- Schwedenschänke and Bistro on the island
- Green Event BW and Green Destinations certified
- Children under 6 free
- Mapping projections on castle walls
Prices Christmas Garden Mainau 2026
Adults (15+): from €20.90 (online early bird), up to approx. €28 on peak season days.
Children 6–14 years: from €15.90.
Children under 6 years: free.
Family Ticket: upon request via the website.
Groups of 10+ people: special rates upon request.
Online advance booking at christmas-garden.de/mainau/tickets with early bird discount. Best dates sell out quickly — early booking recommended.
Practical information — Christmas Garden Mainau
Getting There
By train to Konstanz Hbf (IC/RE on the Schwarzwaldbahn line), then bus to Mainau Island (line 4, 25 minutes from Hbf). By car: A81 exit Singen, then B33 towards Konstanz/Litzelstetten, follow signs for Mainau Island. Large parking lot on the mainland; from there, walk across the Mainau bridge to the island.
Opening Hours
Season: November 19, 2026 – January 9, 2027. Entry daily from 5 PM, last entry 8 PM, closing 9:30 PM. Box office 4:30 PM–8 PM. Closed: Nov 24, Nov 25, Dec 1, Dec 2, Dec 24, and Dec 31, 2026.
Tickets
Adults (15+): from €20.90. Children 6–14 years: from €15.90. Children under 6 years: free. Advance booking online at christmas-garden.de with early bird discount. Family tickets and group rates available upon request.
Tips
Online advance booking recommended — popular dates (weekends, Advent weekends) sell out quickly. Bring warm clothing, the circular path is 3 km long and leads through the park. Dogs are not allowed.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Christmas Garden Mainau al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Christmas Garden Mainau
Insel Mainau — Bodensee
Insel Mainau, 78465 Konstanz