--- title: "Rendez-vous Bundesplatz in Bern transforms the Bundeshaus facade with nature projections for the 16 th edition; free admission" sdDatePublished: "2026-09-04T15:50:00Z" source: "https://bern.com/en/news/stories-and-recommendations/bern-s-most-beautiful-light-displays" topics: - name: "festive event (culture)" identifier: "medtop:20000041" - name: "art exhibition" identifier: "medtop:20001135" - name: "religious festival and holiday" identifier: "medtop:20000690" - name: "astronomy" identifier: "medtop:20000718" - name: "cultural development" identifier: "medtop:20000039" locations: - "Bern" - "Thun" - "Bern-Mittelland" - "Switzerland" --- Rendez-vous Bundesplatz in Bern transforms the Bundeshaus facade with nature projections for the 16 th edition; free admission Bern’s most beautiful light displays - Bern Welcome Bern’s most beautiful light displays Cold and grey? “Äuä!” (far from it!) As the days grow shorter, Bern and its Zähringen neighbours Thun and Murten pull out all the sparkling stops. Wrap up warm, head out into the city, and enjoy an evening of lights and lightness. Thuner Wasserzauber and Thun Castle The River Aare calmly flowing through town – and suddenly, there's jets, lights and music: at Thuner Wasserzauber, the river basin becomes the setting for a colourful spectacular. Illuminated jets of water shoot skywards to the music and their shimmering reflections dance on the water’s surface. Towering high up on the hill, Thun Castle seems to be watching the show from above. The display is particularly beautiful at twilight, when darkness slowly falls over Thun and the colours become ever more vivid. A vibrant show with a view of the iconic mountain trio Eiger, Mönch and Jungfrau – what better way to spend an autumn evening. And it’s free! Thuner Wasserzauber can be seen daily from 25 September to 25 October 2026, at 7:30 p.m. and 9:15 p.m., whatever the weather. A forest on Bundesplatz? Well, this year there’ll be one growing on the façade of the Bundeshaus (Parliament Building). The theme of the 16 th edition of Rendez-vous Bundesplatz is “Natur pur” (pure nature), turning the Bundeshaus into a living ecosystem. One of Europe’s greenest cities is about to get greener! When the night sets in, the transformation begins: Light flickers across the Bernese sandstone, projections bring the façade to life, and music fills the square. For a moment, the familiar Bundeshaus seems to vanish, making way for a luminous, lush world. You can almost smell the damp earth and feel the rustling autumn leaves. Like a walk through the forest – but in the heart of the city. Our tip: try to arrive at Bundesplatz a little early to secure a good spot, this event is far from being an insider’s tip. The show runs daily from 17 October to 21 November 2026 at 7 p.m., 8 p.m. and 9 p.m., admission is free. When countless candles light up the darkness, they create more than just a magical Advent atmosphere – they also send a powerful message of solidarity. With its “A Million Stars” campaign, Caritas raises awareness of poverty in Switzerland and encourages people to come together in a spirit of solidarity. In Bern, the sea of lights creates a special moment during Advent: thousands of tiny lights fill the city with a warm glow and serve as a reminder of the importance of compassion and togetherness, especially at Christmas. A beautiful display of lights with an important message at its heart. More information about the campaign will follow in autumn. How do shooting stars work? How is the solar system structured? The Gurten Observatory offers astronomy enthusiasts a detailed insight into the physical and scientific phenomena of space. Every Tuesday evening, it opens its doors to visitors and invites them on a journey to the stars. Observe, learn and marvel – and do some stargazing when conditions are right. For an extra special start to the evening, visitors can treat themselves to a three-course “Stärne(z)nacht” beforehand. As it's not just the view of the sky that's worth seeing from Bern’s local mountain: down below, the federal city is a sea of glittering lights. “Es Tröimli, nid?” (What a dream!) Who said that the daily revealing of beautiful surprises is reserved for Advent calendars? Bern’s November Windows campaign spreads pre-Christmas joy and gets the entire city in the festive spirit. After last year’s premiere, the lovely new tradition is back for a second round: every day in November, a new, creatively decorated window is opened. What will we find behind them? Scents of cinnamon, orange, and a hint of Christmas that fill the air? A relaxed neighbourhood nightcap and nibbles? Colourful wrapping paper and velvet ribbons? Little festive surprises wait to be discovered. The experience is rounded off by special offers and inspiration for gifts that might just end up under the Christmas tree a few weeks later. The November Windows give us a new reason daily to wander through Bern’s alleyways, stop by local shops, and pick up a Christmas present or two. The supposedly dreary month of November is filled with warm lights in the streets, friendly encounters, and a sense of anticipation – and every day, it feels a little more like Christmas. The November Windows will be opening one by one from 1 to 30 November 2026. Sparkling stop-off at Bern railway station At Bern main station, people’s gazes are usually fixed on the digital departure board as they grab a coffee to go before dashing to catch the train. During Advent, however, it’s worth looking up for a change. In the main hall, a huge chandelier hangs high above the heads of travellers, bringing a festive atmosphere to a place where people usually focus on arriving and departing as quickly as possible. And when we say huge, we mean huge: The chandelier is nine metres high, over five metres in diameter, and weighs a hefty 1,500 kilograms. A total of 600 strings of lights with 38,000 warm white LEDs wind their way through the installation like a helix. The light object was designed and handcrafted by MK Illumination Switzerland. It’s particularly beautiful when it’s dark outside and the station seems to glow from within, making something as mundane as waiting for the train feel a bit more “heimelig” (cosy) and festive. So: don’t miss your train, but do take a moment to look up first. And here’s another tip: be sure to prick up your ears. Guided full-moon hike in Schwarzsee A hike at dusk? What might sound a little eerie at first is actually a unique experience in Schwarzsee. The path gently winds uphill to La Patta while the cool twilight slowly descends over the mountain landscape. Once you reach the top, there’s time to enjoy a picnic and take in the night-time surroundings. Then comes the most atmospheric part of the walk: Under the night sky, the path winds its way back down into the valley. The moon casts its silver light over the landscape, the stars twinkle above, you can hear rustling in the darkness, and was that the call of a nocturnal animal? What might be hiding amongst the trees and in the meadows? In the crisp night air, you’ll suddenly be able to hear what is barely noticeable during the day. The guided full-moon hike takes place on 21 November 2026 from 3 p.m. to 9 p.m. Booking is required. When the scent of mulled wine and caramelized almonds wafts through the alleyways, warm lights twinkle overhead, and people head outside to browse for little treasures, it can only mean one thing: the holiday season has arrived in Bern. At the federal city’s various Christmas markets, lovingly decorated stalls await, offering gift inspo, handmade items, and all kinds of delicacies. It’s perfect for finding unique Christmas presents or indulging on a little treat. But the best part is the atmosphere – stroll through Bern’s UNESCO-listed old town with a hot chocolate in hand, enjoy an aperitif beneath the lights and, with a bit of luck, see snowflakes dancing through the air. If you’re not feeling festive by then, you probably just need another “heissi Schoggi” (hot chocolate). Bern’s Christmas markets light up the federal city from the end of November throughout the Advent season. Christmas market, mulled wine, and gift shopping are all ticked off the list, and you’ve still got some time left? Take a look behind the city’s historical façades: the guided UNESCO tour takes you on a journey of discovery through Bern’s illuminated old town, revealing its stories and unique features. Space Eye at Gantrisch Nature Park While some lights twinkle all around us, others are millions of light years away. At the Space Eye in the Gantrisch Nature Park, it’s all about the latter: the space and environment experience centre, located in one of the darkest areas in Switzerland, brings stars, planets and distant galaxies closer. There is an 8K planetarium and an interactive exhibition that directs our gaze far out into the universe – and also back to our own planet. And after a journey through space, the real night sky above the Gantrisch awaits: the Space Eye’s centrepiece is its telescope, the largest public telescope in the country. On a clear night, visitors can experience the beauty of darkness and starry skies. The Space Eye is open year-round and offers a variety of tours, shows and events. Times vary depending on the booked activity. We recommend planning your visit with enough time to – quite literally – stare off into space, because after learning so much about the universe, it would be a shame to rush straight back home without taking another look. On twelve evenings in January, around 20 “Arteplages” transform the historic town of Murten and its nearby lakeside into one big open-air gallery. National and international artists bring their light installations, projections and surprising displays to the “Stedtli” (town). Key venues for this year’s edition of the light festival include Berntorplatz, the 400-metre street Hauptgasse, and the Deutsche Kirche church. On Berntorplatz, visitors can enjoy an eight- to ten-minute show, while Hauptgasse is turned a luminous stage. Another highlight: the 15-minute live light and sound show in the Deutsche Kirche. The large-scale productions are complemented by numerous smaller works of art scattered throughout the old town and along the lakeshore. Various outdoor stalls offering warm treats, from soup to the so-called “Glühwurst”, provide a cosy break. And there’s more: in 2027, the Murten Licht-Festival is entering a new decade. Special productions and new surprises are planned to mark the start of this new chapter. What stories it holds and will bring to life remains a secret for now. But one thing is certain: the next “wow” moment is always just around the corner. The Murten Light Festival will take place from 20 to 31 January 2027, lighting up from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. each day. Night of the Museums in Bern One night, countless open doors. See Bern in a completely different light on “Bern’s most beautiful spring night”, hosted by numerous museums and cultural institutions. Visitors will be able to peek behind otherwise closed doors, wander through exhibitions, listen to music, and discover new things late into the night. And it’s not just the museums that come to life that night. As darkness falls and night owls drift from one illuminated cultural venue to the next, the whole city becomes part of the experience. Don’t plan too much, just go with the flow and see which museum you end up in next. The next Night of the Museums will take place on Friday 19 March 2027 from 6 p.m. to 2 a.m. Find out what the cold season has to offer Discover the sea of lights Dark Sky Park Naturpark Gantrisch Dive into a sea of lights