Name: Forest – Winterlights by Dark Matter 2026
Start: 2026-11-07T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-03-15T00:00:00+00:00
Location: DARK MATTER (TRANSFORMATOR-Halle)

Forest Winterlights

About Forest Winterlights

Every winter, Forest – Winterlights transforms the former transformer hall in Berlin-Lichtenberg into a walk-through forest landscape of light, sound, and movement. Over 600 suspended fir trees and more than 250,000 LEDs form a 1,000 m² work of art by Berlin light artist Christopher Bauder (WHITEvoid). A 45-minute light choreography set to original music by Dutch composer Chris Kuijten loops through the space, while a 400 m² ice rink, mulled wine bars, and winter food transform the hall into an urban winter world.

Dates 07 Nov — 15 Mar 2026

Venue Berlin (11000)

Prices 7.00€ — 28.00€

Status —

Edition 2026

Forest Winterlights — edition 2026

Tickets →

The winter edition of Forest – Winterlights by Dark Matter returns for the 2026/2027 season at DARK MATTER. Exact dates will be officially confirmed in late summer 2026; following the pattern of previous years, expect a start in early November and an end in mid-February/March. The 1,000 m² forest installation by Christopher Bauder, featuring over 600 suspended fir trees, more than 250,000 LEDs, and the 400 m² ice rink, remains the centerpiece.

For the 2026/2027 season, Forest – Winterlights by Dark Matter will continue in the transformer hall at Köpenicker Chaussee. The light composition by Christopher Bauder and the sound installation by Chris Kuijten remain the core: 600+ suspended fir trees, 250,000+ LEDs, and a 45-minute choreographed light show in a loop. The experience is complemented by a 400 m² real ice rink, mulled wine and punch bars, and seasonal food.

Highlights Forest Winterlights 2026

Walk-through light forest of 600+ fir trees and 250,000+ LEDs
Light choreography by Christopher Bauder (WHITEvoid)
Original soundtrack by Chris Kuijten
400 m² real ice rink with rentals
Mulled wine bars and winter gastronomy

Programme Forest Winterlights 2026

The program follows the proven concept of previous years — the 2026/2027 season calendar will be published before the season starts on darkmatter.berlin.

Recurring Program Elements

Forest Light Installation — 1,000 m² walk-through forest of 600+ suspended fir trees, 250,000+ LEDs, composition by Christopher Bauder / WHITEvoid, soundtrack by Chris Kuijten, 45-minute choreographed light show in a loop
Ice Rink — 400 m² real ice, skate rental on-site
Winter Bars — Mulled wine, punch, non-alcoholic hot drinks
Gastronomy — Winter snacks and main courses around the hall
Optional — Combined ticket with the permanent DARK MATTER light art exhibition in the same hall

Opening hours are typically: Wed/Thu 2 PM–10 PM, Fri 12 PM–11 PM, Sat 11 AM–11 PM, Sun 11 AM–10 PM. Tickets are sold based on time slots via the official website.

Prices Forest Winterlights 2026

Prices are expected to remain at previous year's levels:

Winterlights: from €12 (adults), from €10 (concessions), from €7 (children)
Combined ticket Winterlights + DARK MATTER: from €28 / €22 / €18
Ice Rink: €5 online, €6 on-site + deposit for skates

Booking via darkmatter.berlin/tickets once the season opens.

Practical information

Practical information — Forest Winterlights

Getting There

DARK MATTER, Köpenicker Chaussee 46, 10317 Berlin (Lichtenberg district, Rummelsburg district). Accessible by tram M21 from Frankfurter Tor (U5) and via the S-Bahn stations Rummelsburg or Ostkreuz.

Tickets

Winterlights admission from €12 (adults), from €10 (concessions), from €7 (children). Combined ticket Winterlights + DARK MATTER exhibition from €28/€22/€18. Ice rink €5 online (€6 on-site), skate rental €5 plus deposit. Online booking recommended.

Good to Know

Time slot ticket—entry only for the booked slot. The walk-through takes about 45 minutes but can be repeated as often as desired within the time slot.

A Forest of Light in the Lichtenberg District

At Köpenicker Chaussee 46, just behind the Rummelsburg district, lies one of Berlin's most spectacular winter events: Forest – Winterlights by Dark Matter. The former BEWAG transformer hall, a towering industrial monument from the 1920s, serves as the shell for an immersive 1,000 m² work of art. Over 600 fir trees suspended from the ceiling and more than 250,000 individually controlled LEDs form the artificial forest, which you can freely walk through.

Christopher Bauder and Chris Kuijten

The installation was conceived by Berlin light artist Christopher Bauder and his studio WHITEvoid, whose large-scale light works are known from the Light Boundary for the fall of the Berlin Wall anniversary to international art fairs. The accompanying sound composition comes from Dutch composer and sound designer Chris Kuijten. Together, they have created an approximately 45-minute choreography of light, color, and sound that loops through the hall—each experience is different depending on where you stand.

Ice Rink, Bar, and Winter Program

A small winter city is created around the light installation every year. A 400 m² real ice rink invites you to go ice skating, bars serve mulled wine, punch, and hot drinks, along with seasonal snacks. If you wish, combine your visit to Winterlights with the permanent DARK MATTER exhibition, which showcases further walk-through light artworks in the same hall. Lichtenberg district, Rummelsburg district—easily accessible by tram and S-Bahn from Frankfurter Tor.

Why it's Worth a Visit

Unlike traditional Christmas markets, Forest – Winterlights is a contemporary art project that rethinks winter as an aesthetic experience. The installation is aimed at families, couples, and anyone looking for a quiet, almost meditative counterpoint to the hustle and bustle of Gendarmenmarkt or Alexanderplatz. Tickets are time-bound—plan your arrival and entry in advance.