Frankfurt's Ramadan lights shine brighter in third annual celebration

A glowing tribute to diversity lights up the Fressgass district. Mayor Eskandari-Grünberg calls it a symbol of hope for Frankfurt's multicultural heart.

, and Administrator

2026 April 27 . 4:03 AM

1 min read

The image shows a vibrant Chinese lantern festival in San Francisco, California. There are people... — The image shows a vibrant Chinese lantern festival in San Francisco, California. There are people gathered around the lanterns, admiring the intricate designs and colors that make up the scene. The sky is a deep blue, and the buildings in the background are illuminated by the lights of the lantern festival.

Ramadan and Fasting Season Begin - Illumination in Frankfurt - Frankfurt's Ramadan lights shine brighter in third annual celebration

Ramadan and Christian Lent Begin at the Same Time—Frankfurt Lights Up in Celebration

This year, Ash Wednesday and the start of Ramadan fall on the same day. For hundreds of thousands of Muslims, the holy month begins on Wednesday evening, with the first day of fasting on Thursday. In Christianity, the Lenten season traditionally starts on Ash Wednesday.

For the third year in a row, Frankfurt will feature special Ramadan lighting. Crescent moons, stars, fanoos lanterns, and the words "Happy Ramadan" have been installed across the city, home to around 130,000 Muslims.

The lights will be switched on at 6:00 p.m. on Tuesday in the Fressgass district. Frankfurt became the first city in Germany to introduce such illuminations in 2024, following a resolution by the city council.

Nargess Eskandari-Grünberg, the city's mayor and commissioner for diversity, stated: "This lighting once again shows that Muslim life is a natural and integral part of our city. At a time of rising anti-democratic trends and growing populism, these lights are a symbol of hope and unity in our diverse urban community."