Goldbach Festival of Lights
Over 60 Years of Light Magic in Crailsheim's Goldbach District
About Lichterfest Goldbach
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35,000 Lights and a Village That Glows
Three kilometres east of Crailsheim, at the transition from Hohenlohe to Frankenhöhe, lies the district of Goldbach — one of those villages that have retained their identity. Once a year, on a Saturday evening at the end of August, it becomes one of the most beautiful spectacles in southern Germany: the Goldbach Festival of Lights. Since 1963 — for over six decades — the residents of Goldbach have pooled their energy for a unique light installation, where around 35,000 colourful lights, lanterns, and candles transform the entire village into a luminous ballroom under the open sky.
Front Gardens as Stages
The concept is remarkably simple and all the more effective for it: each resident illuminates their own front garden, entrance, and yard according to their own taste — with lanterns, candles, fairy lights, lamps, and light sculptures. The people of Goldbach see this as both a competition and a community effort: concepts are developed, materials are sourced, and light installations are built over weeks. The result is a collaborative Gesamtkunstwerk that visitors can stroll through — from one illuminated scene to the next.
More Than Just Light
In addition to the magic of the lights, the festival offers a classic programme with catering stands along the main street: sausages, fries, Swabian specialities, regional beer, wine, coffee, and cake. For families, there are hands-on activities and children's programmes, accompanied by local music clubs and bands. The atmosphere is considerably more relaxed than at a traditional Volksfest (popular festival) — Goldbach is a family festival with a calm, almost meditative character, driven by the spectacle of light.
Crailsheim and Goldbach in Hohenlohe-Franken
Crailsheim, with around 34,000 inhabitants, is a central town in the Schwäbisch Hall district of Baden-Württemberg and the gateway to the Hohenlohe-Franken region. The Goldbach district is located three kilometres east of the town centre, at the transition to the Frankenhöhe. The region between Stuttgart and Nuremberg is known for its Franconian cuisine, wine, castles, and its cultural landscape that has evolved over centuries. The Goldbach Festival of Lights fits into a rich calendar of events — as the quiet, atmospheric summer festival that attracts the entire region yet retains its village charm.
Lichterfest Goldbach — edition 2026
The 63rd edition of the Goldbach Festival of Lights will take place on Sunday, August 23, 2026, in the Goldbach district of Crailsheim. As since 1963, the residents of Goldbach illuminate their front gardens, entrances, and trees with around 35,000 colourful lights, lanterns, and candles, creating a village-wide collaborative work of art.
The festival begins in the late afternoon with catering and the family programme. The actual highlight of the Festival of Lights is reached after dark (from approx. 8:30 PM), when the tens of thousands of lights unfold their full effect. The organiser, as always, is Goldbacher Tradition e.V.
Programme Lichterfest Goldbach 2026
Sunday, August 23, 2026 — Goldbach District
Daytime — from late afternoon
- Opening of the catering stands along the main street
- Sausages, fries, Swabian-Franconian specialities
- Beer, wine, coffee, and cake
- Children's programme and hands-on activities for families
- Performances by local music clubs and bands
Evening — from dark (approx. 8:30 PM)
- Highlight: Activation of approx. 35,000 lights
- Illuminated front gardens, house entrances, and trees throughout Goldbach
- Stroll through the illuminated village
- Light installations by residents as a Gesamtkunstwerk
- Atmospheric musical accompaniment
Night
- Festival of Lights runs late into the night
- Festival winding down at the catering stands
An official opening with representatives from the city of Crailsheim and the organiser Goldbacher Tradition e.V. will inaugurate the festival. The exact start time and programme details will be published on goldbacher-lichterfest.de as well as in the event calendar of the city of Crailsheim.
Highlights Lichterfest Goldbach 2026
- 63rd edition since 1963 — over six decades of tradition
- Approx. 35,000 colourful lights, lanterns, and candles
- Front gardens as stages — each resident illuminates their own area
- Free admission, climax after dark
- Family programme and regional specialities
Prices Lichterfest Goldbach 2026
Free admission. Food and drinks are sold at the catering stands along the main street. Proceeds go to the club and festival work of Goldbacher Tradition e.V.
Practical information — Lichterfest Goldbach
Getting There
Goldbach is located 3 km east of Crailsheim. By car: A6 exit Crailsheim, then B290 towards Ellwangen, follow signs for Goldbach. By train: To Crailsheim main station, then bus 27 towards Goldbach or by bike on the Jagst cycle path.
Admission
Free admission. Food and drinks are sold at the stands along the main street.
Good to Know
The highlight is the late evening after dark (from approx. 8:30 PM). Before the light spectacle, a walk through the village in daylight is recommended to see the preparations. Parking outside the village is recommended, as the streets in Goldbach will be closed. Arriving by bicycle or on foot from Crailsheim is advisable.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Lichterfest Goldbach
Stadtteil Goldbach
Goldbach, 74564 Crailsheim