On Friday, downtown will be especially lively: “Light the Night” invites you to a late-night shopping event that combines relaxed strolling and shopping with an atmospheric light display.

For our youngest visitors, the evening begins as early as 5 p.m. with a special activity on the square surrounding the Stadtmonument: All children who come by with a lantern matching the theme will receive a little surprise until 6 p.m.

Afterward, things will get loud and rhythmic: A rousing drum show will kick off this year’s festival of lights with a burst of energy.

In addition, feathered jungle creatures will parade right through the city center, immersing visitors directly in the world of the jungle.

On both days of the event, there are various ways for young and old alike to explore the Festival of Lights. The “Jungle Express,” a children’s train, is free to ride and invites visitors to take a short trip through the downtown jungle.

At the face-painting station, young visitors can transform themselves into wild jungle animals. Bright colors are also used in black-light painting to create little works of art.

A “Quiet Hour” is also scheduled again: On Saturday from 9 to 10 p.m., the Festival of Lights will be scaled back for one hour to allow as many people as possible to participate in the event.

A variety of food and drinks will be available to satisfy visitors’ appetites. Vegetarian and vegan options will also be available again.

Even before the actual Festival of Lights begins, it’s worth taking a stroll through downtown: From Monday through Thursday (November 2–5), a parrot awaits discovery in a store window every day.

But where exactly are these colorful jungle friends hiding? Keep your eyes peeled! The search area covers the streets In den Blumentritten and Im Fischzug.

Whoever spots one of the parrots gets to keep it.

During the Festival of Lights, amateur photographers are invited to capture the special atmosphere with their cameras or smartphones.

You can submit your favorite photo online through Sunday, November 8. A jury will then select the winning photo, and the best picture will be awarded a prize!

With “Light the Night,” the downtown area of Lebenstedt will once again become a gathering place for families, friends, and visitors from Salzgitter and the surrounding region. Light displays, along with exciting activities and events, will offer a diverse program and create a welcoming atmosphere that invites people to enjoy the experience together and linger a while.

The event is funded by Wirtschafts- und Innovationsförderung Salzgitter GmbH (WIS). Following a public call for proposals, bene lux GmbH was commissioned to organize the event, which is being carried out in close collaboration with WIS.