Illumination in the Great Garden Herrenhausen

Light Play in the Baroque Park

The tradition of illumination in Herrenhausen dates back a long way. As early as the 17th and 18th centuries, festive light installations were held in the Great Garden, often in connection with courtly celebrations or birthdays of the House of Welf. The modern illumination builds on this tradition, translating it into contemporary lighting technology: thousands of lamps, ground spotlights, and candle imitations bathe the park in warm golden-yellow and coloured light.

Atmosphere

The illumination is deliberately not spectacular in the sense of a show format. It is a contemplative, slow staging: visitors walk through the park, let the light images affect them, pause at particularly beautiful spots, and visit the gastronomic area. The character is more meditative than loud. This makes the illumination a typical format for couples, families with older children, and older visitors.

Dates in Summer

In 2026, illumination evenings will take place on selected summer evenings between June 12 and October 10. The most important dates are expected to be:

• June 12 and 13, 2026
• June 19 and 20, 2026
• July 24 and 25, 2026
• Further evenings spread throughout the summer

Exact dates will be published by the organizer in spring 2026.

Admission and Schedule

Admission begins at 8 PM. Visitors then have about two hours to experience the park in daylight and twilight, use the gastronomic offerings, and find a good vantage point for the main lighting. The actual illumination with the full light staging runs from 10 PM to 11 PM. Afterwards, winding down in the park.

Moderate Admission

With a regular admission of €6 and a reduced admission of €4, the illumination is exceptionally accessible. Children and young people under 18 have free admission. This makes the illumination one of the most accessible programs of the Herrenhausen summer formats and is explicitly aimed at families with younger visitors.