ENZ leuchten Pforzheim

From the Pforzheim Festival of Lights to ENZ leuchten

Pforzheim, the Gold City at the gateway to the northern Black Forest, has known its grand summer festival by the water for decades. Until 2024, it was known as the "Pforzheimer Lichterfest" – a mix of city festival, concert stage, and pyrotechnics over the confluence of the Enz, Nagold, and Würm rivers. In 2025, Wirtschaft und Stadtmarketing Pforzheim (WSP) redefined the format and launched it under the name ENZ leuchten: a concentrated one-evening event focusing more on light art and a central tribute concert – the more compact, modern version of the traditional festival.

Light Installations and Projections

The focus of ENZ leuchten 2026 is on light installations and projections along the Enz river and on the Waisenhausplatz. The conceptual approach: water, light, and sound merge into a multi-sensory experience. Light artworks illuminate facades, trees, and bridges, while dynamic projections tell visual stories about Pforzheim's urban space. As dusk falls, the festival transitions from a light walk to a concert evening.

Ultimate Whitney as the Main Act

The musical centerpiece in 2026 is Ultimate Whitney – A Tribute to Whitney Houston starring Silvia Dias. The Portuguese-Brazilian singer is considered one of Europe's most renowned Whitney Houston tribute artists and brings Houston's repertoire, from "I Will Always Love You" and "I Have Nothing" to "Higher Love," to the main stage – a mix of ballads and danceable hits, accompanied by a live band.

Musical Fireworks with Laser Show

The finale is the spectacular musical fireworks with a laser show over the Enz river. Pyrotechnics, lasers, and music are synchronized – the light effects are reflected in the river, creating the image from which ENZ leuchten earns its name. The organizer is WSP, and admission to the entire program is free. Tickets via Reservix are only necessary for numbered seats in the VIP areas.