In 2026—the Weinbrenner Year, marking the 200th anniversary of the death of Karlsruhe architect and city planner Friedrich Weinbrenner (1766–1826)—the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE Karlsruhe explores the themes of architecture and urban space. Under the theme Lightyard Stories: Visions of Urban Living Spaces, the festival will showcase the outstanding architecture of the UNESCO Creative City of Media Arts Karlsruhe, as well as the life and culture it fosters.
International artists and collectives present new projection mappings that transform the Schlossplatz into a dazzling festival of media art for four weeks. One of this year’s eight premieres is the work Fragile Homes by Yulia Mashkova and Grisha Mumrikov, who won the 2026 dm-Award “connecting worlds.” Their project addresses migration as a personal and societal experience—one marked by departure, arrival, and bureaucratic hurdles. In addition to the projection on the palace façade, they are exhibiting a group of sculptures in the garden of the Prinz-Max-Palais, created in collaboration with Karlsruhe residents. The work is part of the exhibition Media Art Is Here, which presents media art throughout the city of Karlsruhe free of charge during the same period.
Find all the information and show times for the SCHLOSSLICHTSPIELE Light Festival 2026 here.