Whether it's a city festival, a guided tour or pure enjoyment of art – no light festival equal to the other. Many facades are dynamically staged with audio visuals and scientific events often accompany the glittering lights. In Germany and neighbouring countries, there is once again plenty to see and marvel at in August and September.

Until October 6, 2024: Lichtparcours in Braunschweig
International light art with 13 works by renowned artists can be seen at the Braunschweig Lichtparcours along the river Oker. This year, the Artworks are dominated by the aspect of sustainability – be it directly or indirectly, in the discussion, in the material or in the use of energy. Two works have been devised by students at the Institute for Architecture-Related Art at the Technical University of Braunschweig – one focuses on the changes to the world's oceans as a habitat, another on global water scarcity. The accompanying program includes guided tours, readings and creative workshops.

The Herrenhausen Gardens in Hanover will shine until October 13, 2024
The illuminated fountains and water features in the baroque gardens will sparkle during the Herrenhäuser Gärten leuchten light festival in Hanover. Statues and dense hedges are illuminated to great effect. The "Water Music" by George Frideric Handel is played in a recording by the Hanover Court Orchestra. On many evenings in summer, the landscape architecture with its impressive fountains and water cascades is atmospherically illuminated. The Great Garden is also worth a visit in other respects; it is one of the most important baroque gardens in Europe.

On view until August 31, 2024: Festival Constellations in Metz
The French mirabelle plum city of Metz on the Moselle can be reached in an hour from Saarbrucken. The free open-air event Festival Constellations is dedicated to the digital arts and features 35 works, including laser light projections, multimedia installations and video mappings in and on historic buildings and squares in the old town. The projections on the façade of the Gothic Saint-Étienne Cathedral are particularly popular. At the heart of the event are two different walks entitled "Digital Stones" and "Art & Gardens".

August 15 to September 15, 2024: Karlsruhe Castle Light Festival
The Karlsruhe light festival focuses on the residence of the former margraves and grand dukes of Baden. The city is famous for its radial layout with the castle at its centre. International artists develop six different shows as 3D video mappings for the Schlosslichtspiele in the UNESCO City of Media Arts, which are projected onto the 170-metre-long baroque palace façade – every evening for several weeks with free admission. The festival will take place in 2024 under the motto "Everybody counts". To mark the 75th anniversary of the German constitution, the organizers are advocating equal rights and democracy. The politically committed musician Herbert Grönemeyer will perform two live concerts as an overture on August 9 and 10. Tickets are available in advance.

August 20 to 24, 2024: Bella Skyway Festival in Toru?, Poland
At the Polish light festival Bella Skyway Festival, visitors can visit more than a dozen international installations in the old town of Toru? for a week and take part in events on the theme of light. The city's infrastructure becomes the setting for fascinating light shows on buildings and in the streets. Medieval brick Gothic characterizes the image of the old town, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Special exhibitions also showcase popular science institutions such as the M?yn Wiedzy Science Center and the Center for Modern Art.

September 18 to 22, 2024: Apollon Festival in Saarbrucken
Over five days, façade projections, 3D mapping and audio visual installations can be seen free of charge at the Apollon Festival in Saarbrucken. The visual arts festival takes place in the hip east harbour, a former industrial area that is currently being developed into a cultural mile. Artists or artist groups from Italy, Spain and Hungary create the projections and installations. Students from the Saar University of Fine Arts and the Campus for Design and Art at Trier University of Applied Sciences will also be presenting their works.

September 26 to 28, 2024: Mainz lights up – the Late Light Festival
From the Rheingoldhalle to Schillerplatz, the state capital of Rhineland-Palatinate lights up at the Late Light Festival. Mainz is known for its old town with its half-timbered houses and medieval market squares. Buildings are illuminated and artistically staged for the event. Various light installations and video projections show prominent buildings in a new light, including St. Martin's Cathedral, the State Theatre and the town hall plateau. There are also "traveling" projections, the so-called Traveling Lights. The numerous video projections were designed by the "Time-based Media" course at Mainz University of Applied Sciences. Gastronomy, retail and culture also offer a varied supporting program in the city centre.

No claim to completeness