Villinger Lichternacht

Lights, Candles, City Center Magic

The Villinger Lichternacht transforms the historic city center of the twin city of Villingen-Schwenningen into an immersive light installation. Thousands of candles are placed in windows, doors, and on windowsills; shops, cafés, and restaurants decorate their windows with candles, fairy lights, and small displays. Light artists illuminate squares, towers, and especially the three city gates — Riettor, Oberes Tor, and Bickentor.

Program Throughout the City Center

The central venues are Osianderplatz and Latschari — both traditional squares in Villingen's old town with surrounding eateries. Music acts take place here: singer-songwriters, sound artists, occasionally choirs. The municipal Franziskanermuseum remains open with a special program, as do the city center galleries. Marktstraße and Niedere Straße are continuously active — you walk from shop to shop, from light installation to light installation.

Sunday Shopping

The Lichternacht is the night from Friday to Saturday in the trade association calendar — on the following Sunday, the city center opens from 1 p.m. for Sunday shopping. Thus, the Lichternacht combines two occasions in one weekend: the emotional light experience in the evening and relaxed shopping on Sunday. The organizer is the Gewerbeverband Oberzentrum (GVO), which has been successfully expanding the format for years.

Villingen — Black Forest Capital with City Walls

Villingen is one of the two centers of the twin city Villingen-Schwenningen in the Schwarzwald-Baar district. The medieval city layout with an almost complete ring of walls, three preserved city gates, and the typical sandstone paving makes the Lichternacht particularly impressive: the light installations stand out particularly well against the historic facades. Villingen is directly accessible by train from Stuttgart, Singen, and Konstanz.