International Light Art Festival
12.–22.03.26

RE.LIGHT INTERNATIONAL LIGHT ART FESTIVAL REGENSBURG 2026

From March 12th to 22nd, 2026, numerous works of light art will once again shine in and on buildings, facades, streets and squares in Regensburg’s old town. After the fulminant first edition, RE.LIGHT is entering its second round. In mid-March 2026, Regensburg will once again become the stage, canvas and home of the international light art scene. Fascinating and top-class works by national and international light artists will bathe well-known and striking locations in a completely new light. On a tour through the city, visitors can experience the familiar and the hidden, the light and the thought-provoking, tangible and ephemeral spaces and the complexity of the city. The idea is to stroll through the streets and alleys with curiosity and attention and to look at the public space with different eyes.

Let yourself be touched and enchanted – at the RE.LIGHT International Lightart
Festival Regensburg 2026!

SUSTAIN­ABILITY

Sustainability in general, and energy consumption in particular, naturally play a central role in both the planning and implementation of a light art festival. As a member of the International Light Festivals Organisation (ILO), we are committed to contributing to the fight against the climate crisis and to using energy-efficient and sustainable methods and materials in the realization of our large-scale project and to sign the ILO Sustainability Manifesto anchored therein.

We therefore take numerous influencing factors into account:

From the very outset—during the selection and tendering of artworks—the use of environmentally friendly light sources is a key evaluation criterion. Each installation is reviewed and optimized in terms of its power consumption, for example through the use of state-of-the-art technology for projections and video mapping, as well as energy-efficient LED lighting.

Another key focus is on renewable energy and CO₂-neutral electricity generation. We exclusively use 100 percent green electricity supplied by REWAG. In addition, the opening hours and illumination durations of the light art installations are carefully planned. By enhancing the attractiveness of public spaces, energy can be saved elsewhere—for example, when visitors spend time in Regensburg’s old town instead of using electrical devices at home. The temporary shutdown of non–safety-relevant public lighting in the vicinity of the light art installations also contributes to energy savings. As a result, no increase in the overall energy consumption curve was recorded during the 2024 festival.

We also place great importance on social sustainability. This cultural tourism festival benefits not only the local economy, but also urban society and public spaces as inclusive places of encounter for all segments of the population. In particular, low-threshold, predominantly free access to art and culture in public spaces is one of the festival’s primary objectives, alongside its economic impact. As part of our commitment to social sustainability, we also ensure that the venues are designed to be barrier-free.

To keep all relevant aspects of environmental protection and nature conservation in view and to organize the festival in a sustainable and resource-efficient manner, we are supported by environmental construction supervisor Georg Zimmermann and sustainability manager Johann Basko. Through observation, evaluation, and expert guidance, they help us to organize and further develop the festival sustainably.

Sustainability is also taken into account in the production of promotional materials and printed products, for example by printing on FSC-certified paper. In addition, materials from the 2024 festival edition are reused for the new edition.

We prioritize the use of public transportation for travel and logistics and ensure that the festival is easily accessible by bus, train, and bicycle.