Imperial Lights Schönbrunn 2026
Imperial Lights turns part of the park of Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna into a light garden, with baroque light installations and more than 5,000 self-lit roses. Its second season runs from 6 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, with timed tickets.
Imperial Lights at a glance
The 2026/27 season in brief:
- Dates: 6 November 2026 to 6 January 2027, closed on 24 December.
- Opening times: 16:30 to 22:00, last entry 20:30.
- Entrance: Meidlinger Tor, Meidlinger Fahrstraße, 1130 Vienna.
- Getting there: 250 m from Schönbrunn U4 station; trams 10 and 60, bus 10A.
- Tickets: for a set time slot, and late entry is not allowed.
- Time needed: about 60 to 90 minutes for the walk.
- Food and drink: snacks, Punsch, Glühwein and soft drinks, with no vegan options.
- Good to know: entirely outdoors, mostly on gravel paths, with possible strobe effects.
- Animals: not allowed, except assistance dogs.
What there is to see at Imperial Lights
The route covers the Crown Prince Garden (Kronprinzengarten) area and more of the park beyond it. Baroque light installations, the imperial throne insignia and new garden installations line the way, along with a sound-to-light show in which the lights move to music. Added for 2026, more than 5,000 self-lit roses light up the Meidlinger Senke, a hollow in the park near the Meidlinger Tor.
Imperial Lights first opened in the park on 6 November 2025 and ran until 6 January 2026, with 24 December as its only day off, the same pattern as the 2026/27 season.
Imperial Lights tickets
Each ticket names an entry time, and the organiser does not admit visitors who arrive after it. The last entry is at 20:30. A box office runs on site, but tickets can run out on the night.
Imperial Lights and the Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace
The Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace runs on the same dates in the Courtyard of Honour, in front of the palace, from 10:00 to 21:00 until 23 December and from 10:00 to 19:00 from 25 December. The market is reached through the main gate on Schönbrunner Schlossstraße or the other entrances to the palace grounds, while Imperial Lights is entered at the Meidlinger Tor, so the two fit into one visit: the stalls in the afternoon, then a time slot at Imperial Lights from 16:30. On 24 December the market closes at 16:00 and Imperial Lights is closed.
What the stalls sell, the food and the hours for each day of the season are covered on the page for the Christmas Market at Schönbrunn Palace.