The city of Ahlen is a member of the Hellweg city network – a path of light. Since its foundation in 2002, this modular, expandable cultural project in the Hellweg region has brought together individual light art projects that have already been realised, are in the process of being realised and are planned to form an identity-creating whole.
During the ‘Night of Light Art’, the towns and municipalities of the ‘HELLWEG – ein LICHTWEG’ network come together to form a luminous network of locations and people who have dedicated themselves to light art.
The installations and objects created especially for public spaces radiate far beyond the borders of the project region between Unna, Bergkamen, Hamm and Ahlen, Soest and Lippstadt. Here, renowned light artists regularly enter into a dialogue with time and space with new works.
Once a year, the ‘HELLWEG – ein LICHTWEG’ network invites visitors of all ages to an extensive evening program. This event brings the region to life and attracts visitors with the unique treasures of light art that the cooperating cities, municipalities and initiatives have developed especially for public spaces since 2002.
9th Night of Light Art: In October 2026, the ninth edition of the “Night of Light Art” festival will present artworks by internationally renowned light artists from museums and collections in public spaces, church interiors, and historic buildings. For this edition, the organizers are extending the duration beyond the usual weekend to at least 10 days and will also offer expert-led tours as “light journeys” throughout the region.
More on the 9th Night of Light Art starting in September 2026.