Lichtfestival Neustadt
First light festival in Halle-Neustadt — Making Structures Visible
About Lichtfestival Neustadt
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A Premiere for Halle-Neustadt
If you want to experience German prefab architecture from the 1960s not just as a cliché but as a cultural space, Halle-Neustadt in 2026 is the place to be. On October 2nd and 3rd, 2026, the Lichtfestival Neustadt will take place for the first time in Neustädter Passage — supported by Wall & Space e.V. and the Freiraumgalerie, one of the best-known muralism collectives in German-speaking countries with around 200 murals.
The Stage: Five Slab High-Rises
The Neustädter Passage was planned as the urban heart of Halle-Neustadt — and has been characterized by vacancies, upheaval, and poor lighting since 1990. The festival picks up on exactly this tension: With facade projections, temporary and permanent light installations, art, and encounters, the passage will be made visible as a place for two nights — and its original potential will be renegotiated.
Making Structures Visible
The festival motto works on multiple levels:
- Visual-aesthetic: the GDR architectural heritage and the art-in-architecture tradition of Halle-Neustadt are translated into light art
- Urban spatial: mobility, security, demographic change
- Social: power dynamics and solidarity networks in the district
Halle-Neustadt — Prefab City with History
Halle-Neustadt was built in the 1960s as a socialist planned city for the workers of the nearby chemical complexes (Buna, Leuna). Since reunification, the district has struggled with population decline and social challenges — at the same time, many people with a migration background, including refugees from Syria and Ukraine, live here today. Halle (Saale) itself is the largest city in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, and the Neustadt district is a vibrant example of its urban diversity.
Residency Program
In the run-up, the festival offers a two-month artist residency (between June and August 2026) in a former gymnasium in Halle-Neustadt — 280 m² studio space, accommodation, €1,500/month, joint workshops with children and young people from the district. Open call runs until January 31, 2026.
Lichtfestival Neustadt — edition 2026
The inaugural edition of the Lichtfestival Neustadt combines festival experience with long-term district work. The artist residency from June to August 2026 brings invited international and local light artists to Halle-Neustadt for two months. During this time, works will be created in workshops with schoolchildren and young people from the district, which will be presented at the festival in October.
The venue is the Neustädter Passage with its five characteristic slab high-rises — serving as the central platform for facade projections and installation works. The exact program schedule (opening performance, artist talks, guided tours) will be published in late summer 2026.
Programme Lichtfestival Neustadt 2026
Friday, October 2nd, 2026 — Premiere Evening
- Evening — Opening of the Lichtfestival in Neustädter Passage
- After dark — Facade projections on the five slab high-rises
- Night — Light installations along the passage, sound performance
Saturday, October 3rd, 2026 — German Unity Day
- Afternoon — Accompanying program: artist talks, district walks
- Evening — Light art parcours through Neustädter Passage
- Night — Main evening with facade projections, participatory installations from the workshops, and a meeting space
Status: Based on the open call documentation. Detailed program will be published in late summer 2026 at wallandspace.org.
Highlights Lichtfestival Neustadt 2026
Prices Lichtfestival Neustadt 2026
Practical information — Lichtfestival Neustadt
Getting There
Take tram lines 4, 9, 10 from Halle Hauptbahnhof towards S-Bahnhof Neustadt — get off at Neustädter Passage. By car: A14 exit Halle-Peißen, then take the main road towards Neustadt; parking available in the vicinity of the Passage.
Admission & Times
Friday, October 2nd, and Saturday, October 3rd, 2026 (German Unity Day), evenings until late night in Neustädter Passage. Free admission. Detailed program at wallandspace.org.
Families & Dogs
Family-friendly, as it's open-air and in an urban space; light installations are suitable for all age groups. Dogs on a leash are welcome.
Open Call for Artists
Artists focusing on light art, projection, and interactive installations can apply for the two-month residency — deadline January 31, 2026. Details on the Wall & Space website.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Lichtfestival Neustadt al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Lichtfestival Neustadt
Neustädter Passage Halle-Neustadt
Neustädter Passage, Halle-Neustadt, 06122 Halle (Saale)