About the Festival
For many people in Potsdam, the holiday season is just not a holiday season without a festival of lights. The festival attracts thousands of people every year.
The light exhibition is where you will witness stunning and twinkling lights trees, fairy lights, and blinking Christmas lights. As you join the annual Christmas light festival, you can create new memories you can share with your loved ones.
Attending this light festival with your friends and family means having unforgettable experiences that you will keep talking about for years to come. Plus, it is also a great time to make new friends.
Everything about the Christmas light show is magical. It is like you are in another world. So, if you want to unwind and have a quality time with your loved ones, do not miss the chance to experience the Festival of Lights Potsdam.
Festival Dates (2021-2022)
One of the best reasons to visit the festival is the twinkle lights that can transport you to a magical world instantly. If you are busy most of the months, ensure to join the light exhibition and bring your loved ones with you.
Local and foreign tourists look forward to the Festival of Lights Potsdam with great anticipation. This anticipation serves as a source of motivation to complete all their tasks and responsibilities to be part of that festival.
For the 2021-2022 festival dates, the official dates are not yet posted. However, the festivals often take place in September. Once the festival dates are finalized, you can start planning the trip. Ensure to invite your friends and families to make the entire experience even more memorable.
During the festival, you will have the best time to get closer to your loved ones. What’s more, you can relax and forget about your worries as you enter the different world of lights.
How to Get There
Is it your first time visiting Potsdam? Not a problem! Getting to the festival address is very easy.
Potsdam is well-connected to all points within the area. The station caters to both international and regional travels. The U-Bahn (metro) and S-Bahn (Berlin city trains) stop at Potsdam that connects to the different web of lines throughout the city.
You can also find buses at street level. While only a few parking available, you can find lots of roads that offer different parking garage options.
Festival Hours
Once you visit the Christmas light show, there is no way for you not to create new memories. The beautiful experience you get will make you want to see the festival every year to bring your friends or family.
You and your loved ones will definitely cherish every second you get to witness the stunning and heartwarming light installations all over the festival venue. So, it’s no surprise if you will leave the venue with a smile on your face.
As for the festival hours, they are not yet announced. That is to avoid misconceptions. So, ensure to stay updated. Once everything is set, get ready to explore the festival and create new memories.
How Does It Cost to Visit the Festival
The reasons to attend the festival of lights in Potsdam are endless. No matter your reason, you will go home happy, hopeful, relaxed, and fulfilled. The holiday season is one of the most anticipated events of the year, and you can make it even more exciting if you join the festival.
In the meantime, the festival ticket cost or whether it is for free is not yet posted. However, one thing is for sure, you will love and cherish the entire festival experience, especially if you are with your loved ones.
Weather and What to Wear
Before visiting a specific place, ensure that you are familiar with the area’s weather conditions. For sure, you do not want to wear a summer outfit while the snow is falling.
That is why you need to get familiar with Potsdam’s weather conditions during the festival season. It will help you prepare and pack the clothing necessary to keep you comfortable throughout the festival.
Most of the time, the Festival of Lights Potsdam happens in September. So, expect the autumn season. The season lasts for three months, from September to November. Daily highs range from 70.2˚F to 39.6˚F. This means that you can feel chilly due to wind and humidity.
Since the season delivers dropping temperatures, especially at the end of November, you need to pack several warmer pieces of clothing, such as a softshell jacket or fleece jacket. You also need to bring a rain jacket or a travel umbrella.
Where to Sleep
If you want to visit Potsdam, it would be ideal to stay there for several days. That way, you can join the festival and try different attractions. In fact, few days are not enough to explore the entire city.
Meanwhile, ensure that before stepping your feet in Potsdam, you are done booking a comfortable room. The good news is that you can find plenty of accommodation options, including:
Kongresshotel Potsdam am Templiner See
This hotel is located in the middle woodlands and lake. It is ideal for business events and travel. It features free Wi-Fi, and you can dine in the Lemon restaurant or Zeppelin theme restaurant. If you want to have some drinks, you go to Blue Sky Bar and Lounge.
Hotel Brandenburger Tor Potsdam
This hotel features free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and air-conditioned rooms. You can notice the Baroque facade along with modern interiors.
The spacious rooms come with free toiletries and stylish bathrooms—the hotel has a bright breakfast room, where the extensive breakfast buffet is served.
INSELHOTEL Potsdam
Besides the free Wi-Fi, the hotel also features extensive wellness facilities. Each room has a private bathroom with a hairdryer, a minibar, and a TV. Some rooms have either a terrace or balcony.
The Seerestaurant is known for its large selection of wines and international and regional dishes. It has a spa area that includes a fireplace lounge, outdoor and indoor pool, a steam room, a sauna, heated benches, and more.
Hotel Am Jagertor
Hotel Am Jagertor is another elegant hotel that offers free Wi-Fi. It features a conservatory, creative cuisine, and soundproofed rooms.
If you want to visit the Sanssouci Palace, it is only 1km away. You will love the classical-style rooms that feature modern bathrooms, air conditioning, and fine materials.
What to Eat
Besides the grand celebration of the lights festival, Potsdam is also a perfect place to try different dishes to satisfy your cravings. The place is not only an ideal destination to unwind and witness the magic of lights but also to taste a wide variety of mouthwatering dishes, from breakfast to dinner.
Meierei Brauhaus
This restaurant serves a wide array of traditional German food, such as bratwurst with sauerkraut and crispy pork knuckle. For sure, you can’t get over the authentic flavors. After you choose a hearty dish, you can pair it with a house-brewed craft beer.
Assaggi
Situated at the heart of Potsdam, Assaggi serves homemade pasta. You can also try authentic Italian recipes, such as traditional desserts, fish and meat dishes, and antipasti. The modern and stylish interior also makes the restaurant even more enjoyable.
Zum Fliegenden Hollander
You can find this restaurant nestling in the red brick building in the Dutch Quarter. It serves traditional German dishes with added Dutch twists like roast pork with potato dumplings to pair with German wine and beers.
Waikiki Burger
Do you love burgers? Then, Waikiki Burger is a great dining destination for you. It offers deliciously high quality burgers. You can choose from chicken or beef on vegetarian or chia buns options. Aside from being flavorful, the burgers are also affordable.
More Things to Do
Another impressive thing about visiting Potsdam is that the fun and excitement are not limited to the festival of lights. You can try other activities and attractions around the city. Whether you love visiting museums or going to a park, you can find an attraction that perfectly fits your travel needs.
Below are some of the top things you can try during your visit:
Sanssouci Palace
This palace was built back in 1745 and featured a single-story Rococo building with circular rooms at each end and an elliptical dome in the center. It also has a garden, and the Grand Courtyard is just spectacular.
Museum Barberini
Since 2017, the Museum Barberini has been one of the main attractions in Potsdam. The bright and modern galleries feature extensive collections of works from leading painters in the country, from Old Masters to contemporary art.
Sanssouci Park
If you want to witness beautiful gardens, works of art, and buildings, this park is a perfect spot. This is where you can find the Great Fountain with representations of mythological figures and four elements.
What are you waiting for? Make the Festival of Lights Potsdam part of your bucket list this year!