① VIEW
Klanglicht 2026
TIME – Cosmos, History, Present, Future
In 2026, KLANGLICHT returns to one of Austria’s most significant historical sites: Eggenberg Palace. This Baroque Gesamtkunstwerk on the western outskirts of Graz is characterised by the interplay of history, nature and understated grandeur, and provides a unique resonant space for contemporary artistic interventions involving light, sound and space.
From 23 October to 7 November 2026, the festival will showcase artistic works that stretch or fragment time, make historical rhythms audible, uncover hidden narratives or envision speculative futures. Past, present and future are not understood as a linear sequence, but as simultaneously active planes.
KLANGLICHT, the Festival of Sound and Vision, is organized on behalf of Bühnen Graz and has been taking the magic of two central elements of theater out into the public space since 2015: using light and sound to inspire and touch people, awaken emotions and create moments of wonder. What once began with a light and sound installation in front of Graz Opera House has developed into Austria’s largest light and sound festival.
Want to stay informed? Subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
Want to stay informed? Subscribe to our newsletter or follow us on Instagram and Facebook.
② REVIEW
That was KLANGLICHT 2025
KLANGLICHT celebrated an anniversary in 2025: for the 10th time, Graz was transformed into a frenzy of colors and shapes, music and texts: see and hear, immerse yourself, feel, be touched. So feierten sowohl renommierte Künstlerinnen und Künstler aus aller Welt als auch junge Nachwuchstalente mit ihren Installationen ein wahres Fest für die Sinne: In flutenden Nebelschwaden, zwischen Tausenden von Spiegeln, mitten im Rampenlicht und zugleich zwischen Himmel und Erde taten sich dem Publikum neue Licht- und Klangwelten auf. Wir sahen, was vielleicht gar nicht war, und hörten, was wir zuvor noch nicht vernommen hatten. Wir verloren uns in diesem Universum, das in voller Blüte erstrahlte, um doch letztendlich wieder zu verfallen. Was davon blieb? Die Erinnerung an einen Rausch, in dem vielleicht auch wir uns wiederentdeckt oder neu erfunden haben.
The evaluation shows that 108,310 people attended the KLANGLICHT Festival 2025 on the four evenings between October 24 and 27. This once again made the festival one of the largest and most impressive art events in Austria.
KLANGLICHT 2025 was organized on behalf of Bühnen Graz and has been bringing the magic of two central elements of theater into public spaces since 2015. Light and sound are used to inspire and move people, arouse emotions, and create moments of wonder.
Comments on the festival
“We are overwhelmed by this huge demand, by the fact that art in public spaces attracts such a large audience—and, of course, by the fact that everything went so smoothly,” says Bernhard Rinner, managing director of Bühnen Graz and organizer of KLANGLICHT.
KLANGLICHT curator Birgit Lill-Schnabl is also enthusiastic:
“With the works of our artists, we were able to touch and inspire so many people emotionally this year—that is the greatest compliment for us.”