Heilbronner Lichterfest 2026

Heilbronner Lichterfest — Summer Evening on the Neckar

The Heilbronner Lichterfest is one of the city of Heilbronn's most popular summer events. Organized by Heilbronn Marketing GmbH, the festival transforms the Heilbronn Neckar embankment into a magical landscape of lights for a weekend. The concept is clear: summer evening, water, lights, music, and culture — a city celebrates its river.

Venues — Neckar, Bollwerksturm, Hospitalgrün, Hefenweiler

The festival grounds extend over several interconnected areas along the Neckar:
• Neckar between Bollwerksturm and Götzenturm — main area with stages and light installations on the riverbank
• Hospitalgrün — green space on the Neckar embankment, often with food and seating areas
• Hefenweiler-Inselspitze in front of experimenta — Germany's largest science center, right on the Neckar
The water views, the historic towers, and the striking architecture of experimenta provide a special backdrop — in the evening, the towers, the experimenta facade, and trees are illuminated with colorful light installations.

Program — Stages, Music, Installations

On several stages along the Neckar embankment, bands, solo artists, dance groups, and comedy acts alternate. Light artists install illuminated installations along the promenade — from projected artworks on the towers and light sculptures in the water to LED trees. Culinary stands offer specialties — Swabian cuisine, international street food, regional wines, and beers.

Heilbronn and the Neckar

Heilbronn (independent city 08121, around 127,000 inhabitants) is one of Baden-Württemberg's most important medium-sized cities. With the Federal Garden Show 2019, the experimenta, and the education campus, the cityscape has changed significantly — the Neckar embankment has become an attractive promenade, and the Bollwerksturm and Götzenturm are prominently showcased as historic landmarks. The Lichterfest highlights this urban quality in the focus of a summer event.