diff --git a/docs/options.md b/docs/options.md
index 768a374..5b5128a 100644
--- a/docs/options.md
+++ b/docs/options.md
@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ You can customize the plugin by setting options in `mkdocs.yml`. For example:
   plugins:
     - charts:
         vega_width: container
-        vega_theme: default
+        vega_theme_light: default
         vega_theme_dark: dark
         vega_renderer: svg
         use_data_path: True
@@ -22,9 +22,9 @@ You can customize the plugin by setting options in `mkdocs.yml`. For example:
   ```
 
 - `vega_width` (default is `container`). When not specified explicitly in the JSON schema, the `width` to use (see [vegalite customizing size](https://vega.github.io/vega-lite/docs/size.html)). When set to `container` width will be 100%.
-- `vega_theme` (default is `default`). Specify one of the available [vegalite themes](https://vega.github.io/vega-themes/).
-- `vega_theme_dark` (default is `dark`). When using the [mkdocs-material](https://squidfunk.github.io/mkdocs-material) theme with a dark mode or the user's preferred color scheme in the browser or OS is "dark", automatically render charts using this theme. Dark mode toggle is also supported. Specify one of the available [vegalite themes](https://vega.github.io/vega-themes/).
-- `vega_renderer` (default is `svg`). Specify one of the available [vegalite renderers](https://vega.github.io/vega-themes/).
+- `vega_theme_light` (default is `default`). Specify one of the available [vegalite themes](https://vega.github.io/vega-themes/) to use when in light mode. When using the [mkdocs-material](https://squidfunk.github.io/mkdocs-material) theme with a light mode or the user's preferred color scheme in the browser or OS is "light", automatically render charts using this theme. [Color pallete toggle](https://squidfunk.github.io/mkdocs-material/setup/changing-the-colors/#color-palette-toggle) is also supported.
+- `vega_theme_dark` (default is `dark`). Specify one of the available [vegalite themes](https://vega.github.io/vega-themes/) to use when in dark mode. When using the [mkdocs-material](https://squidfunk.github.io/mkdocs-material) theme with a dark mode or the user's preferred color scheme in the browser or OS is "dark", automatically render charts using this theme. [Color pallete toggle](https://squidfunk.github.io/mkdocs-material/setup/changing-the-colors/#color-palette-toggle) is also supported.
+- `vega_renderer` (default is `svg`). Specify one of `canvas` or `svg`. See the [demo vegalite renderers](https://vega.github.io/vega-themes/).
 - `use_data_path` (default is `True`). When `True`, any relative urls used in the JSON schema are relative to the `data_path`. When `False`, relative urls should be relative to the URL of the page.
 - `data_path` (default is `""`). When `use_data_path` is enabled, the base path relative to the `docs/` folder.
 - `integrations.mkdocs_material.themes_light` (default is `[default]`). When using the [mkdocs-material](https://squidfunk.github.io/mkdocs-material) theme, specify the light [color schemes](https://squidfunk.github.io/mkdocs-material/setup/changing-the-colors/#color-scheme).
diff --git a/mkdocs.yml b/mkdocs.yml
index e8499c2..102f6a2 100644
--- a/mkdocs.yml
+++ b/mkdocs.yml
@@ -33,9 +33,7 @@ nav:
 
 plugins:
   - search
-  - charts:
-      vega_theme: default
-      vega_renderer: "canvas"
+  - charts
   - git-revision-date-localized:
       type: timeago
       timezone: Europe/Amsterdam
diff --git a/mkdocs_charts_plugin/plugin.py b/mkdocs_charts_plugin/plugin.py
index 580a9c1..37da6aa 100644
--- a/mkdocs_charts_plugin/plugin.py
+++ b/mkdocs_charts_plugin/plugin.py
@@ -35,7 +35,8 @@ class ChartsPlugin(BasePlugin):
     config_scheme = (
         ("data_path", config_options.Type(str, default="")),
         ("use_data_path", config_options.Type(bool, default=True)),
-        ("vega_theme", config_options.Type(str, default="default")),
+        ("vega_theme", config_options.Type(str, default="deprecated")),
+        ("vega_theme_light", config_options.Type(str, default="default")),
         ("vega_theme_dark", config_options.Type(str, default="dark")),
         ("vega_renderer", config_options.Type(str, default="svg")),
         ("vega_width", config_options.Type(str, default="container")),
@@ -48,6 +49,11 @@ def on_config(self, config, **kwargs):
         Event trigger on config.
         See https://www.mkdocs.org/user-guide/plugins/#on_config.
         """
+        if self.config.get("vega_theme") != "deprecated":
+            raise PluginError(
+                "[mkdocs_charts_plugin]: 'vega_theme' is deprecated and has been renamed to 'vega_theme_light'. Together with 'vega_theme_dark' this enables automatic theme switching. Please update your mkdocs.yml."
+            )
+    
         # Add pointer to mkdocs-charts-plugin.js
         # which is added to the output directory during on_post_build() event
         config["extra_javascript"] = ["js/mkdocs-charts-plugin.js"] + config["extra_javascript"]
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/projects/basic/mkdocs.yml b/tests/fixtures/projects/basic/mkdocs.yml
index 17f03a1..1158ebf 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/projects/basic/mkdocs.yml
+++ b/tests/fixtures/projects/basic/mkdocs.yml
@@ -6,7 +6,6 @@ theme:
 plugins:
   # - search
   - charts:
-      vega_theme: dark
       vega_renderer: "canvas"
 
 use_directory_urls: true
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/projects/basic/mkdocs_colorswitch.yml b/tests/fixtures/projects/basic/mkdocs_colorswitch.yml
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..abeabdf
--- /dev/null
+++ b/tests/fixtures/projects/basic/mkdocs_colorswitch.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,36 @@
+site_name: My Docs
+
+theme:
+  name: material
+  palette: 
+    # Palette toggle for light mode
+    - scheme: default
+      toggle:
+        icon: material/brightness-7 
+        name: Switch to dark mode
+
+    # Palette toggle for dark mode
+    - scheme: slate
+      toggle:
+        icon: material/brightness-4
+        name: Switch to light mode
+
+plugins:
+  # - search
+  - charts
+
+use_directory_urls: true
+
+markdown_extensions:
+  - pymdownx.superfences:
+      custom_fences:
+        - name: vegalite
+          class: vegalite
+          format: !!python/name:mkdocs_charts_plugin.fences.fence_vegalite
+  - pymdownx.tabbed:
+      alternate_style: true 
+
+extra_javascript:
+  - https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/vega@5
+  - https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/vega-lite@5
+  - https://cdn.jsdelivr.net/npm/vega-embed@6
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/projects/basic/mkdocs_instant.yml b/tests/fixtures/projects/basic/mkdocs_instant.yml
index 40a3019..5b28105 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/projects/basic/mkdocs_instant.yml
+++ b/tests/fixtures/projects/basic/mkdocs_instant.yml
@@ -8,7 +8,8 @@ theme:
 plugins:
   # - search
   - charts:
-      vega_theme: dark
+      vega_theme_light: default
+      vega_theme_dark: dark
       vega_renderer: "canvas"
 
 use_directory_urls: true
@@ -18,7 +19,7 @@ markdown_extensions:
       custom_fences:
         - name: vegalite
           class: vegalite
-          format: !!python/name:mkdocs_charts_plugin.fences.fence__vegalite
+          format: !!python/name:mkdocs_charts_plugin.fences.fence_vegalite
   - pymdownx.tabbed:
       alternate_style: true 
 
diff --git a/tests/fixtures/projects/invalid_json/mkdocs.yml b/tests/fixtures/projects/invalid_json/mkdocs.yml
index 4134b8b..a9f0b32 100644
--- a/tests/fixtures/projects/invalid_json/mkdocs.yml
+++ b/tests/fixtures/projects/invalid_json/mkdocs.yml
@@ -7,7 +7,6 @@ site_name: My Docs
 
 plugins:
   - charts:
-      vega_theme: dark
       vega_renderer: "canvas"
 
 use_directory_urls: true