Festivals & Highlights

Essen Light Weeks

October 25, 2026 to January 2, 2027

The city centre illuminated

Look forward to magical, sparkling hours at the Essen Light Weeks. From October 25 to January 2, 2027, they will illuminate Essen city centre with a dazzling sea of lights for the 77th time.

We look forward to seeing you!

Your EMG – Essen Marketing GmbH

EMG – Essen Marketing GmbH Tourist Information Kettwiger Str. 35 45127 Essen

+49 201 8872333 touristinfo@essen.de

Impressions

Opening day on October 25, 2026

The 77th Essen Light Weeks will begin, as is tradition, on the last Sunday in October, October 25, 2026. Look forward to a sparkling day full of great activities. Shops in Essen city centre will be open from 1 pm to 6 pm for Sunday shopping. Walking acts, face painting for children and a magician will add to the festive atmosphere. At 6 pm, Julia Jacob, the First Mayor of the City of Essen, will officially open the Light Weeks. Afterwards, accompanied by the Schönebeck Youth Brass Band, she will take a tour through the illuminated city centre. You are warmly invited to join the tour and enjoy the sparkling lights.

In the city centre:

1 pm–6 pm: Walking acts, face painting for children and a magician
1 pm–6 pm: Sunday shopping at shops in Essen city centre
7 pm: Music-synchronised fireworks from Kennedyplatz

In front of Marktkirche:

6 pm: Speech by Julia Jacob, the First Mayor of the City of Essen; with sign language interpreter
Afterwards: Tour through Essen city centre with Julia Jacob and the Schönebeck Youth Brass Band

Ferris wheel of lights

A ride on the 45-metre-high Ferris wheel of lights is a very special experience, especially after dark. You’ll enjoy a fantastic view over the festively illuminated city centre and immediately feel it: the run-up to Christmas in Essen is simply lovely!

Opening hours:

October 25, 2026 to January 2, 2027:

Sunday to Thursday, 12 pm to 8 pm
Friday and Saturday, 12 pm to 9 pm
National Day of Mourning, November 15, 2 pm to 8 pm

Closed:

November 22, 2026 (Sunday of the Dead)
December 24–26, 2026
December 31, 2026
January 1, 2027

Brightly lit city centre

As soon as it gets dark, Essen’s shopping streets sparkle once again. Look forward to illuminated natural trees, dazzling trees of light, angels, shooting stars and comets flying over the city. And of course, the glowing spheres and star-shaped balls, as well as the fountain of light on Kennedyplatz, are not to be missed. In short: enjoy sparkling hours at the Essen Light Weeks!

Light Weeks food and drink

It has yet to be proven whether the sparkling lights really do make you hungry. But if you fancy something savoury or sweet during the Essen Light Weeks, you’ll find plenty to choose from at the food and drink stalls. There are, of course, warming and refreshing drinks, too.

Opening hours:
October 25, 2026 to January 2, 2027

Sunday to Thursday, 12 pm to 9 pm
Friday and Saturday, 12 pm to 10 pm
National Day of Mourning, November 15, 2 pm to 8 pm

Closed:

November 22, 2026 (Sunday of the Dead)
December 24–26, 2026
December 31, 2027
January 1, 2027

Contact

The Tourist Information office can answer your questions about the festival.

EMG - Essen Marketing GmbH

Tourist-Information Essen

Kettwiger Str. 35

45127 Essen

+49 201 8872333

touristinfo@essen.de