Motto SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE Karlsruhe 2026

‘Lightyard Stories: Visions of Urban Living Spaces’

The SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE Karlsruhe will focus on architecture and urban space in the Weinbrenner Year 2026, marking the 200th anniversary of the death of Karlsruhe architect and city planner Friedrich Weinbrenner. Under the motto ‘Lightyard Stories: Visions of Urban Living Spaces’, the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE Karlsruhe celebrates the outstanding architecture of the UNESCO City of Media Art Karlsruhe and the life and culture it produces.

"Architecture is not only the construction of buildings, but also the spaces in between: the streets, parks, squares and courtyards. These are the meeting places where we come into contact with acquaintances and strangers and where different cultures and ways of life mix. This is the essence of a thriving city. In this spirit, we gather in front of the palace and the visions of these artists to celebrate the joy of urban life."

Alistair Hudson, Scientific and Artistic Director of the ZKM | Centre for Art and Media Karlsruhe and member of the Board of Trustees of the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE Karlsruhe

FREUNDESKREIS KARLSRUHE E.V. PRESENTS DONATION!

COMMITMENT TO CULTURE: A REMARKABLE TOTAL OF €25,000 RAISED SO FAR!

Around 300,000 people visit the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE Light Festival in Karlsruhe every year. The event, which took place for the first time in 2015 to mark the city's 300th anniversary, has become a permanent fixture in Karlsruhe's summer calendar.

In order to maintain the quality and diversity of the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE Karlsruhe and to further develop the event format, committed individuals from the city's society, business, culture and trade sectors founded the Freundeskreis SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE Karlsruhe e. V. (Friends of SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE Karlsruhe). During the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE 2025, which took place from 14 August to 14 September, the Freundeskreis collected the first donations for this purpose. This week, the impressive sum of €25,000 was handed over to KME Karlsruhe Marketing und Event GmbH as the organiser.

-> Donation options and further information about the Friends of the Karlsruhe Castle Light Show Association

Karlsruhe Palace is your canvas

dm painting competition ‘The Castle Painters’

Design the castle façade to reflect your vision of city life in the future. Show us your ideas for a harmonious community – and with a bit of luck, your artwork will be displayed at the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE from 24 August to 13 September.

The colouring sheet, including the terms and conditions, is available in all dm shops in the city and district of Karlsruhe, as well as in Durmersheim, or can be downloaded here as a PDF (to be printed in A3 format). The completed colouring sheet, signed by a parent or guardian, can be handed in at participating dm shops until 31 July.

The twelve winning entries will be drawn at random across the age categories 3–6, 7–9 and 10–12 years. At the prize-giving ceremony on 4 September, each winning child will receive a dm surprise pack and a voucher for an age-appropriate leisure activity in Karlsruhe*.

The dm team and the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE are looking forward to your entry and are keeping their fingers crossed for you!

*The first child drawn as a winner in each age category will receive a voucher for their entire nursery group or school class. All other winning children will receive a voucher for themselves and their family (parents and siblings) for the same activities.

Download PDF ‘Colouring page’