When the castle hill lights up

Once a year, on the Saturday before the third Sunday of Advent, Thun Castle Hill turns quiet and bright. The castle and the town church stand in light, a path of lights leads up the hill between them, illuminated ice sculptures fill the former prison yard, and the courtyards smell of hot punch and warm wax.

The Night of Lights is neither a market nor a funfair. It is an evening for slowing down, in the busiest weeks of the year — and it is meant for everyone: for families with small children just as much as for anyone who simply wants to walk through the light for an hour.

For families

In the Neues Schloss children dip their own candle, in the castle courtyard they watch the smith at work, by the fountain the storyteller tells old legends, and in the Unterweisungshaus lanterns are made. The whole route takes about an hour and a half — even with short legs.

Getting here

Parking around the old town is scarce that evening. The easiest way is on foot: from Thun station it is about ten minutes through the old town and up the covered castle stairs. Information for visitors who are less steady on their feet can be found under Directions & location and Accessible visit.