The legendary Castle Illuminations capture the imagination of thousands of people every year.
Hardly any other city offers such magical nights in summer.
At around 10.15 pm, Bengal flares slowly bathe Heidelberg Castle in a mysterious red glow. As if the ruins were burning once again in their long history. Just like the last time in 1689 and 1693, when the troops of the Sun King Louis XIV burned down the castle and the city, leaving behind what is now a world-famous ruin.
As the glowing castle slowly fades, the second part of the spectacle begins - the brilliant fireworks over the Neckar. In 1613, Elector Frederick V had a firework display staged to welcome his newlywed wife Elizabeth Stuart. This firework display laid the foundation for the later light shows over the night sky of Heidelberg.
Our tip:
The best view of the fireworks is from Philosophenweg, the Nepomuk Terrace on the Old Bridge or along Ziegelhäuser Landstraße (near the Old Bridge).
Supporting program:
Nepomuk Terrace
On the Nepomuk Terrace at the northern end of the Old Bridge, a small beer garden invites visitors to enjoy a cozy get-together between 4 and 11 pm, with live music by Andy Wilsing from 6 pm. https://www.andywilsing.de/
The beer garden is also open on Sunday and Monday (June 8 + 9, 2025) due to the public holidays and is looking forward to welcoming numerous guests.
Corn market
Craft and goods market at the Kornmarkt in the old town. (11 a.m. - 8 p.m.)
Bismarckplatz, Anatomiegarten, Neckar foreland
To get guests in the mood for the event, the showmen's stands at Bismarckplatz and Anatomiegarten in the old town will be providing food and drink from Thursday to Saturday. On Saturday, there will also be stalls on the Neckar foreland by the Theodor-Heuss Bridge.
Concert for the castle illumination
The Heiliggeistkirche is looking forward to welcoming many listeners with a musical firework display at 6.15 pm.
Our sponsors:
Event dates 2026:
July 11, 2026
September 5, 2026
At around 10.15 pm, Bengal flares slowly bathe Heidelberg Castle in a mysterious red glow. As if the ruins were burning once again in their long history. Just like the last time in 1689 and 1693, when the troops of the Sun King Louis XIV burned down the castle and the city, leaving behind what is now a world-famous ruin.
As the glowing castle slowly fades, the second part of the spectacle begins - the brilliant fireworks over the Neckar. In 1613, Elector Frederick V had a firework display staged to welcome his newlywed wife Elizabeth Stuart. This firework display laid the foundation for the later light shows over the night sky of Heidelberg.
Our tip:
The best view of the fireworks is from Philosophenweg, the Nepomuk Terrace on the Old Bridge or along Ziegelhäuser Landstraße (near the Old Bridge).
Supporting program:
Nepomuk Terrace
On the Nepomuk Terrace at the northern end of the Old Bridge, a small beer garden invites visitors to enjoy a cozy get-together between 4 and 11 pm, with live music by Andy Wilsing from 6 pm. https://www.andywilsing.de/
The beer garden is also open on Sunday and Monday (June 8 + 9, 2025) due to the public holidays and is looking forward to welcoming numerous guests.
Corn market
Craft and goods market at the Kornmarkt in the old town. (11 a.m. - 8 p.m.)
Bismarckplatz, Anatomiegarten, Neckar foreland
To get guests in the mood for the event, the showmen's stands at Bismarckplatz and Anatomiegarten in the old town will be providing food and drink from Thursday to Saturday. On Saturday, there will also be stalls on the Neckar foreland by the Theodor-Heuss Bridge.
Concert for the castle illumination
The Heiliggeistkirche is looking forward to welcoming many listeners with a musical firework display at 6.15 pm.
Our sponsors:
Event dates 2026:
July 11, 2026
September 5, 2026
