Explore the Festival of Lights 2024 highlights in Berlin, Germany

The lights festival. Photo by J. Schiemann on Unsplash

If you know a thing or two about living in Berlin then its inevitable autumn gloom is not a surprise. Twenty years ago, Birgit Zander (founder, organizer, producer, and artistic director of the festival) came up with a bold idea of how to brighten up the anthracite mood in her home city. She discussed the project revolving around developing colorful lights and building illuminations with the former mayor, Klaus Wowereit, who supported it fully. Today, the event has become globally famous, and metropolises like New York, Amsterdam, and Sofia host the jaw-dropping show.

Festival of lights. Photo from https://www.facebook.com/FestivalOfLights

Hundreds of artists, international and local, apply to be granted an opportunity to showcase their creations fused and intertwined with iconic architectural monuments. What you get to see are projects of the most talented contemporary visionaries that figuratively and literally brighten everyone's mood. Berlin TV Tower will be laced with colorful 3D video mapping; the side wall of St. Mary’s Church will become a background for artistic architectural staging; the magical Crystal flowers installations will be set up at Nikolai Quarter; State Opera, Berliner Dom, Humboldt University, Brandenburg Gate, and Charlottenburg Palace are going to turn into vibrant unrecognizable modern masterpieces.

Find more information here

Festival of lights. Photo from https://www.facebook.com/FestivalOfLights

Walking around is the most budget-friendly option, and guests won’t miss out on anything. But if you would like to learn more about the people behind the urban metamorphosis, we recommend booking one of the informative lightseeing tours: on foot, by boat, or by bus. Every evening, embark aboard a vessel provided by Reederei Winkler and browse the city center with fascinating insights in German and English. Bus tours also include multiple stops for photos, complimentary snacks, and entry to areas closed to other visitors.

Select and book your tour here

Festival of lights. Photo from https://www.facebook.com/FestivalOfLights

On the 8th and 9th of October, Berlin Cathedral will transform to welcome the expressive electronic music language of Paul van Dyk, presenting a show called Escape Reality. The theme is the evolution of van Dyk’s style – from being a pioneer of EDM in the early 1990s to becoming an international star nominated for a GRAMMY. Several times, the performer has been ranked as the World’s No. 1 DJ and was honored with the Order of Merit of the City of Berlin. Top artists collaborated with Paul, including Chris Noelle working on the main concert, Daniel Bandke, Hajo Rehm, and others in charge of developing a set of visual masterpieces.

Book your tickets online

Festival of lights. Photo from https://www.facebook.com/FestivalOfLights

The Festival of Lights takes place in the evening, from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., which means you still have sufficient time to explore the main attractions in Berlin. As for the culinary hotspots, here is our latest selection to fuel and keep every foodie energized.

The glass façade of Café Krone, situated on Oderberger Street near Friedrich-Ludwig-Jahn-Sportpark, allures passersby and famished breakfast-seekers with its welcoming unpretentiousness and coziness. Inside, the dining room is adorned with rustic wooden table counters, plush sofas, and a romantic touch of fresh flower arrangements. Whether you fancy some quiet me-time or come with a big company, Café Krone is happy to cater to all guests with any dietary requirements. The menu revolves around hearty meals with a focus on fluffy pancakes, loaded sandwiches, and healthy salads. Plus, their excellent quality coffee specialties are known all over the area.

Start your morning off right by ordering a cup of fragrant golden latte or flat white. The beverage list is full of other options, including organic tees, hot apple juice with cinnamon – a very Octoberish choice, beer, wine, and even Sekt. In dishes, we recommend trying one of the plates like Smooth Sailing with smoked salmon, eggs, caviar, freshly baked bread buns, and herb butter; poached eggs with avocado toasted bread, and sakura cress; and blueberry pancakes with vanilla tonka sauce and cookie crumble.

Average bill – €20

Back in 2013, Berlin lacked a versatile brunch and lunch scene. Therefore Silo was established to introduce top-quality meals paired with specialty coffee. Its dark, minimalist maroon exterior with simple wooden outside seating is contrasted by the light cream colors of the spacious interiors – uncluttered and enhanced only with a few contemporary artworks. The kitchen crew keeps developing various dishes to reflect each season’s mood and offerings, including vegan and vegetarian options, with all ingredients sourced from regional producers.

The café is located near Boxhagener Platz, which turns into a crowded tourist magnet attracting bargain hunters to browse a labyrinth of flea market stalls selling vintage books, vinyl records, and other memorabilia. If you happen to be in the area on Sunday, we suggest checking out the Friedrichshain quarter before heading for a lunch break at Silo. Some of the must-try dishes on their menu are buttermilk pancakes with raspberry & orange compôte, truffle mushrooms on toast, beef brisket sandwich with pickles and aioli, and poached eggs with bacon, avocado, and roast potatoes.

Average bill – €19

After witnessing the city’s transformation into a fantasy world, you shouldn’t settle for some average dining spot. The Curtain Club on Potsdamer Platz is everything but average – the elegant establishment draws inspiration from the 1920s, tastefully reflected in both interiors and menu. The ambiance invites guests to relax, sit back, and treat themselves to exquisite bites and artisanal cocktails. The beverage selection features a nuanced combination of the finest spirits, and we recommend starting your evening with The Ritz Fashioned for two reasons: firstly, the base of a 25-year-old Nicaraguan rum Flor de Caña provides rich vanilla notes beautifully paired with orange and Maraschino cherries; secondly, every order of this drink is a donation to Björn-Schulz-Stiftung supporting seriously ill children, teenagers, and young families.

The food menu equals liquid delights with specialties, such as Alpine cheese Spätzle with roasted onions, Prignitz chicken fricassée, naturally raised, apple-fed pork, and fish soup with pike dumplings and dill foam. In desserts, you can opt for their classic carrot cake with walnuts or tender chocolate mousse with seasonal fruits and puff pastry.

Average bill – €56
The Ritz Fashioned – €30

If paying 30 euros for an old fashioned seems a bit too much, come over to the Green Door bar on Winterfeldtstraße. The modern crowd-favorite venue focuses mostly on cocktails, and its food offerings are limited: roasted corn, chili cashews, and crackers are rather pub snacks than a hearty meal. What the place lacks in dishes it fully makes up for in beverages.

Their gin & tonic section alone includes 13 brands of the spirit to choose from. A quick tip: if you are feeling too shy to start a small talk at the bar counter, simply ask locals, which tonic is better and why, and get ready for a detailed insightful lecture on the pros and cons of Schweppes vs Thomas Henry. As for other mixes, try Strawberry Moon with vodka and strawberry, Holy Motors with coffee liquor and mezcal, or Poolside with tequila and frozen watermelon.

Average bill – €21

Have you ever seen the colorful marvels at the annual Festival of lights in Berlin before? Share the experience with the Restaurant Guru community in the comments section below. And if you are looking forward to discovering culinary masterpieces in the German metropolis, check out the following pieces:

Top 12 Michelin Bib Gourmand restaurants in Berlin, Germany
Berlin: Top Restaurants in the Heart of Germany
Guten Appetit at the best Berlin's Michelin Star restaurants