Do you already know Düsseldorf? The most important dates from Lifestyle, Art, Fashion, & Gourmet in 2023

Düsseldorf, 11 December 2022

Do you already know Düsseldorf?

The city may not be one of Europe's top tourist destinations, but you'd be surprised what the North Rhine-Westphalian city, located directly on the Rhine, has to offer.

Especially in 2023.

Discover the dates for the Invictus Games, ProWein, Art Düsseldorf, Classic Days, Gourmet Festival, DoKomi and much more. As well as a small photo series.

Gehry-Bauten ©Roman Burki

Düsseldorf, state capital of North Rhine-Westphalia ©Christian Keybets

Düsseldorf, 11 December 2022: The city is smaller than Berlin, Munich or arch-rival Cologne, but has much more to offer than carnival and Fortuna Düsseldorf. Düsseldorf is arty and cultured, but excitingly modern and vibrant at the same time. It is the hometown of the great poet Heinrich Heine and also of the rock band Die Toten Hosen. In Germany, Düsseldorf is considered chic and rich, which is due to its shopping mile Königsallee, which is on a par with an Avenue Montaigne, Via Montenapoleone and Avenue Louise. In 2022, some of the most important luxury brands opened gigantic flagship stores on Königsallee, like Fendi and Montcler, and in the Douglas store you think you are on New York's Fifth Avenue.

But Düsseldorf is also young, diverse and rebellious, to which the Düsseldorf Art Academy has its share. Its graduates include HA Schult, Andreas Gursky, Jörg Immendorff, Candida Höfer and, of course, Joseph Beuys, who have defined contemporary art history. Accordingly, Düsseldorf is home to a large number of museums and galleries, attracting art travellers from all over the world.

And of course beer plays an important role, because North Rhine-Westphalia is not only Germany's most populous federal state, but also the one with the most beer varieties.

The biggest highlight is likely to be the Invictus Games 2023, the Paralympics Sports Games that Prince Harry launched and which will be held in Düsseldorf's Merkur Arena in the autumn. He came to the city with Duchess Meghan in October to prepare for them, pictures that went around the world.

Want to know why it's worth taking a trip to Düsseldorf in 2023?

Find here the most exciting events in Düsseldorf 2023

January

Lifestyle, Culture

Carnival

Düsseldorf Helau! The start of the so-called 5th season begins on 11.11. at 11.00 a.m. with the traditional "Hoppeditz' Erwachen". The carnival prelude in front of the town hall with the "fool's scolding" of the Hoppeditz is a must for the Düsseldorf revellers. Then one carnival season follows the other. On 16 February, the Altweiberfastnacht (Old Women's Carnival) takes place at 11:11 a.m. in Düsseldorf's Old Town. On 19 February the carnival Sunday Kö hustle and bustle, in the morning on Königsallee, the most outlandish costumes are shown on the promenade, the so-called dress rehearsal for the Rosenmontag procession. On the 20th, Düsseldorf's Rosenmontag procession takes place from 12:30 in the city centre, a huge parade with decorated carnival floats and foot groups. It ends on Aschermittwoch, 22 February, which marks the finale of the 2022/2023 carnival season.

11 November 2022 to 22 February 2023

duesseldorf-tourismus.de

Düsseldorfer Karneval ©Mika Baumeister

Fortuna Düsseldorf ©Fionn Grosse

Entertainment, artistry

Rock and Roll Circus, Apollo Theatre

The Apollo Theatre offers fantastic acrobatics and world-class entertainment right on the Rhine, near the state parliament. The variety theatre was a dream of the Roncalli founder and celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2022. The new Rock and Roll Circus programme takes you back in time to the 60s and 70s, fused with Circus Artistic and Rock and Roll music.

12 January to 2 April 2023

apollo-variete.com

Lifestyle, Fair

Boat

For nine days in January, the international big names of the water sports world meet. In 17 halls and on 220,000 square metres, i.e. approx. 31! football fields, around 1,500 exhibitors will present a fireworks display of luxury yachts, speedboats, sport, fun and action. The list of exhibiting countries ranges from Australia to Cyprus and in Hall 12 there are also fantastic diving centres on site such as Egypt, Curaçao, Israel, Cuba, Mauritius, Oman and Palau.

21 to 29 January 2023

boot.de

Boot, one of the most exciting fairs in the calendar of Düsseldorf ©Ender Vatan

February

Art, Talents

Akademie-Rundgang

The Akademie-Rundgang is an annual art exhibition of the Düsseldorf Art Academy lasting several days, at which academy students show their semester works to the public. The Rundgang is attended by tens of thousands of people, including not only family, friends and art enthusiasts, but also collectors and gallery owners. The latter to find the future art stars and already buy works. Many artists' careers took their start on these days. There is a winter tour and a summer tour

Winter Tour 2023 - 8 to 12 February 2023

kunstakademie-duesseldorf.de

Kunstpalast Düsseldorf Alethea Lifestyle Calendar

Kunstpalast Düsseldorf ©Jonathan Kemper

March

Wine, fair

ProWein 2023

As a pure trade fair, ProWein is considered the world's largest and most important wine fair for wines and spirits. The 2023 edition, for which more than 6,000 exhibitors have registered, is to be held in 13 exhibition halls, three more than in 2019, the last fair before Corona. With the "World of Zero", ProWein picks up on the trend of alcohol-free wines and prepares a stage for it. The alcohol-free products are now concentrated in one area in Hall 1. The "World of Zero" is completed with the tasting zone in the centre of the theme world. Visitors can already register for 2023.

19 March to 21 March 2023

prowein.de

Art, fair

Art Düsseldorf

Art Düsseldorf, held in the light-flooded halls of the Areal Böhler, is an art fair for the most important developments in contemporary art and shows the latest trends in the art market. Luxury brands, such as Breguet from Königsallee, also exhibit their objects. The fair benefits from the high-calibre collector community of North Rhine-Westphalia and the Benelux countries. In 2023, the focus is on the digital future and the high-potential online market. Visitors can look forward to a good service, with a side programme, vip area and shuttle services.

31 March to 2 April 2023

art-dus.com

April

Art, museum

Nacht der Museen

Once a year, all Düsseldorf museums open their doors late into the night for the Nacht der Museen (Night of the Museums). Galleries and artists' studios join in. In addition to the exhibitions, visitors can often expect a programme of music, readings, performances and artist talks. What makes it special is the affordable price of the ticket (it was 15 euros in 2022), which allows art fans to discover many museums in a single night.

22 April 2023

nacht-der-museen.de

Photography, art

German Photo Institute Düsseldorf

There was a long discussion: Where should the German Photo Institute go? After years of debate, Minister of State for Culture Claudia Roth decided in November that Düsseldorf and not its competitor Essen would be awarded the contract. The federal and state governments are now increasing the funding by 1.5 million euros each to 43 million euros. According to the minister's specifications, the project must also have pioneering character in terms of sustainability. "There is no doubt that this is a technically and energetically complex project," says the Minister.

Certainly, the German Photo Institute will not open its doors in 2023, but one can expect concrete steps.

Art, talents

Kunstpunkte

At this event, artists offer guided tours of selected studios and off spaces in Düsseldorf. What could be more interesting than visiting the artists in their own studios and being able to ask questions about their work. Since last year, moderated visits have also been offered. The event is so successful and popular that it is already taking place for the 26th time.

The date 2023 has not yet been set.

kunstpunkte.de

Art, talents

Duesseldorf Photo Weekend

Art photography has a very special tradition in Düsseldorf, think of Andreas Gursky and Candida Hörer. The düsseldorf photo+ as Biennale for Visual and Sonic Media promises "critical and aesthetic thinking with photographic images and media art" with usually more than 50 exhibition venues. A programme booklet guides visitors through the whole night.

The date 2023 has not yet been set.

duesseldorfphotoplus.de

May

Dance, festival

Tanz NRW 23 Festival

Dance and ballet have a special tradition in NRW. There are ballet and dance ensembles at ten opera houses in the state, where the ballet of the Deutsche Oper am Rhein in Düsseldorf under the direction of Demis Volpi and the Tanztheater Wuppertal with its director Pina Bausch, who died in 2009, are among the most important dance ensembles internationally. The region is to become the "Tanzland NRW". The programme of the Tanz NRW 23 Festival is yet to be announced.

4 to 14 May 2023

tanz-nrw-aktuell.de

Behrensbau, Haus der Geschichte Nordrhein Westfalen ©Axel Thunker

Architecture, Politics and History

110 Years of the Behrensbau - House of History North Rhine-Westphalia

From May 2023, the House of History North Rhine-Westphalia will present the exhibition "110 Years of Behrensbau - Architecture and History", which will mark the 110th anniversary of the building in the Behrensbau. The exhibition is dedicated to the architect Peter Behrens, the structural design and the eventful history of the building - from the headquarters of Mannesmannröhren-Werke AG to the seat of the first minister presidents of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia to its future use as a contemporary history museum for the history of the state of North Rhine-Westphalia.

24 May to 5 November 2023

hdgnrw.de

Architecture, Diversity

Düsseldorf architecture

Düsseldorf's architecture lives diversity. The iconic triad by Frank O. Gehry in the MedienHafen and the spectacular Kö-Bogen 1 and 2, with the largest green façade in Europe, designed by New York star architect Daniel Libeskind and the Düsseldorf office of Ingenhoven, are definitely worth seeing. Other highlights include the Dreischeiben skyscraper, built in 1960 to a height of 94 metres as a symbol of the economic miracle. Classical architecture from the first quarter of the 20th century can be found at the Tonhalle and Ehrenhof, the Carsch-Haus, Wilhelm-Marx-Haus and the Behrensbau on the banks of the Rhine. Even further back in history is Benrath Palace in the south and Jägerhof Palace, home of the Goethe Museum. A new addition is the Float office building on Holzstrasse, designed by Renzo Piano.

Gehry Bauten ©Evgeny Bauder

Gehry Bauten©Alexander Schimmeck

Gehry Bauten ©Christian Keybets

Düsseldorf Kö Bogen ©Shannia Christanty

Schloss Benrath ©Peter Herrmann

Japanese Firework @Laura Heimann

Culture, hospitality

Japan Day 2023

Once a year, Düsseldorf is transformed into a backdrop for Japanese culture and lifestyle. With around 7000 Japanese, the Japanese community in Düsseldorf is the third largest in Europe after London and Paris. In honour of the German-Japanese friendship, the city celebrates a big festival once a year, the highlight of which is the largest fireworks display outside Japan. On Japan Day, many hundreds of thousands of visitors come to the Rhine, where there are stage shows and many activities. You can meet Japanese people in their traditional dress, discover the art of calligraphy or even manga, and find yourself in a strolling street of Japanese culture and lifestyle. Of course, there will also be tastings of Japanese cuisine and sake.
13 May 2023, Rhine Promenade Düsseldorf

japantag-duesseldorf-nrw.de

Little Tokyo in Düsseldorf ©AR

Japanese culture, internationality

Little Tokyo, EKŌ, Japanese Garden

Little Tokyo, EKŌ-Haus, Japanese Garden, North Park

One of Düsseldorf's main attractions is the vibrant Little Tokyo district, located between the main railway station and the city centre. Nowhere else in Europe is Japanese life as concentrated as here. Japanese restaurants and izakayas, ramen snack bars, bakeries, bars, Japanese hotels like the Nikko, Japanese supermarkets and bookshops offer a unique atmosphere.

In the Niederkassel district of Düsseldorf, you will also find the EKŌ-Haus, a religious and cultural centre with a Buddhist temple and Japanese gardens. Here you can learn about traditional Japanese tea ceremonies or be introduced to arts such as ink painting, calligraphy or ikebana. But there is more. One of Düsseldorf's most beautiful gardens is the Japanese Garden in the Nordpark.

duesseldorf-tourismus.de

Japanischer Garten ©Paul Siewert

Düsseldorf, Altstadt ©Moheb Anwari

Books, Literature

Bücherbummel and Literaturtage

As always, the Bücherbummel 2023 takes place at Pfingsten. On 600 metres of Königsallee, publishers, bookshops and second-hand bookshops present their selection of books and art to the interested public. Visitors will also find literature, art, music, culture and lifestyle on various stages. Of course, there will also be a wide range of gastronomic delights on offer.

25 to 29 May 2023

buecherbummel-literaturtage.de

Music, festival

Düsseldorf Jazz Rally

There's music on the streets over the Pfingsten holidays thanks to the Düsseldorf Jazz Rally. This festival has been taking place since 1993. Initially known as the Brussels Jazz Rally, it is now an institution in its own right. Hundreds of musicians enchant the audience with a mixture of funk, soul, blues and jazz, making this festival one of the most visited in Germany.

the festival soon developed into an institution for the state capital. In the meantime, the Jazz Rally has become its own event, independent of the Belgian original.

26 - 28 May 2023

duesseldorfer-jazzrally.de

June

Art, talents

Die Grosse - by artists for their colleagues

Die Grosse is a traditional art exhibition in Düsseldorf. 120 years ago, Düsseldorf artists and citizens donated 1,300,000 gold marks for the construction of an art palace. In 1900, the Verein zur Veranstaltung von Kunstausstellungen e.V. was founded. In the following two years, it built the Kunstpalast on a piece of land owned by the city of Düsseldorf, the Golzheimer Insel. It was financed from its own funds and by issuing share certificates. In 1902, the first Great German National Art Exhibition took place in Düsseldorf. As early as 1905, all share subscribers received their money back from the proceeds of the exhibitions held up to that time. That was the history of "Die Grosse". Today it is the largest exhibition in Germany organised by artists for their colleagues. All exhibited artworks can be purchased directly at the exhibition without gallery participation.

4 June to 9 July 2023

diegrosse.de

Arts, Festival

asphalt Festival

The asphalt Festival is a festival of the arts with a diverse programme of performances, concerts, readings and theatre shows. It celebrated its 10th anniversary in 2022. It takes place at several venues in private and public places. As an absolute festival highlight, it has already been announced that on 1 and 2 July 2023 'Verrückt nach Trost' (Crazy for Comfort) will be a guest, a new play by Thorsten Lensing with an all-star cast: Ursina Lardi, Devid Striesow, André Jung and Sebastian Blomberg.

16 June to 2 July 2023

asphalt-festival.de

Manga fans ©Davide Aracri

Manga, festival

DoKomi

The DoKomi in Düsseldorf offers a weekend all about anime, manga, games, cosplay and Japan. International guests come to Düsseldorf and costume themselves as manga in a fascinating community and roam the city.

With usually over 75,000 visitors, DoKomi is one of the most popular, and largest, conventions of its kind in Germany. The convention itself takes place at the Messe Düsseldorf. In 2022, the exhibition space was 60,000 m².

30 June to 2 July 2023

dokomi.de

Gourmet, Festival

Düsseldorf Frankreich Fest

Vive la France. In summer, part of the banks of the Rhine is firmly in the hands of French market traders. They arrive with culinary delicacies, but also Provençal soaps, perfumes, textiles and ceramics and bring the French culture of life closer to the visitor. Toulouse, a friend of Düsseldorf, started in 2004 with the Midi-Pyréneés region. Since then, numerous other regions have been added.

30 June to 02 July 2023

duesseldorfer-frankreich-fest.de

Düsseldorf Rheinpromenade ©Laura Heimann

July

Sport, Life

The Finals

The multi-sport event Die Finals will take place in Düsseldorf in 2023 - and with it the four Olympic gymnastics sports of the German Gymnastics Federation. 22 German championship titles in men's and women's apparatus gymnastics, trampolining and rhythmic gymnastics will be awarded in Düsseldorf's PSD BANK DOME. For the German gymnasts, the competitions will also serve as the 1st qualification for the 2023 World Championships in Valencia (ESP).
6 to 9 July 2023

Funfair, entertainment

Größte Kirmes am Rhein

The large funfair town is set up every year on the Rhine meadows in Oberkassel, where sheep usually graze. On the 165,000 square metres of fairgrounds, over hundreds of showmen present a wide range of rides. In 2023, the over 700-year-old St. Sebastianus Schützenverein with its more than 1,500 marksmen will celebrate the name day of its patron saint St. Apollinaris, 23 July. The "Historic Procession" will take place on 16 July. With more than 3,000 uniformed marksmen and bands, it is one of the largest in Germany. The big Kirmes fireworks display will take place on the last Kirmes Friday, 21 July 2023.

14 - 23 July 2023

groesstekirmesamrhein.de

©Markus Spiske

August

Lifestyle, car lovers, tradition

Classic Days

The Classic Days in Green Park is one of Düsseldorf's most popular lifestyle events and one of the largest classic car events in Europe. On the event grounds there is an approximately 2.8 km long circuit called "Racing Legends", on which races with old racing sports cars and museum vehicles built up to 1961 take place at regular intervals. The Classic Days were created in 2006 in memory of Wolfgang Graf Berghe von Trips, who died in an accident in Monza in 1961. The theme worlds are divided into NOSTALGIC JOURNEY = Historic Camping Cars LOVELY HEROES = Vehicles of the Economic Miracle CHARME & STYLE = Nostalgic-Romantic Picnic MADE IN GERMANY and much more.

4 to 6 August 2023

classic-days.de

History, festival

Festival of Lights at Benrath Palace

On this magical night, the Festival of Lights at Benrath Palace will be celebrated with a concert by the Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra. Enjoy the castle and the music with a picnic by the mirror pond and water and light shows. The premium seats on the palace terrace are also worthwhile.

12 August 2023

castle-benrath.com

Lifestyle, gourmet

Gourmet Festival

The Kö is a destination for luxury shopping. But on a weekend in August, there's also exclusive culinary delights spread across the entire Kö. White pagoda tents and the popular food trucks create a distinguished but cosy gourmet promenade. The Gourmet Festival is already taking place for the 11th time and gourmets, barbecue lovers and wine lovers can enjoy the relaxed atmosphere outdoors until late at night. In 2022, over 200 exhibitors offered their gourmet cuisine to the enthusiastic public. You can enjoy this festival for 3 days.

25 - 27 August 2023

gourmetfestival-duesseldorf.de

From left: General Marstaller, Lod Mayor Keller, Prince Harry & Duchess Meghan, Siemtje Möller, Parliamentary State Secretary in the Ministry of Defence, Lieutenant General Markus Laubenthal ©IG23

Invictus Games 23 in Düsseldorf - One Year To Go

Prince Harry in Düsseldorf : "The participants and their families are the epitome of resilience"

Excerpts from Prince Harry's original speech and the best pictures of the day

September

Lifestyle / Sport

Invictus Games

The Invictus Games will take place in Düsseldorf in 2023. Around 500 wounded and sick soldiers from 21 nations and about 1,000 Family & Friends in Düsseldorf will compete in a friendly sports competition. They share the fate of having suffered an injury in action or being affected by illness. They are fighting their way back to life and the Games, the idea of which came from Prince Harry, want to make a contribution to this. The German Armed Forces have chosen the motto "Am Home For Respect", a slogan that is intended to radiate from Düsseldorf to the whole of Germany.

9 to 16 September 2023

invictusgames23.de

Luxury hotel Breidenbacher Hof on Königsallee

Luxury, Königsallee

Promenade pour un Objet d'Exception

The "Promenade pour un Objet d'Exception" takes place regularly in autumn on the world-famous shopping street, the Königsallee (Kö). On this evening, the participating luxury boutiques open their doors only for their VIP customers and put a luxurious object on display. The event is modelled on the Promenade in Paris, which traditionally takes place on Avenue Montaigne and otherwise only in the world's best shopping streets, from Via Montenapoleone in Rome to Avenue Louise in Brussels. The fact that Düsseldorf is in this league is thanks to a team of dedicated Düsseldorfers, including perfumery owner Frank J. Schnitzler, fashion icon Monika Gottlieb and Renate Voos-Fröhlich. The Promenade is an event full of beauty, culture and craftsmanship, but has a clearly defined background: it is meant to be an image promotion for the Kö.

The date in 2023 has not yet been set.

Bargain hunters, sustainability

Radschlägermarkt

Every second Sunday, you can find treasures of clothing, jewellery, antiques and paintings at Düsseldorf's Radschlägermarkt. Located in the Derendorf district, the flea market is one of the most popular in Düsseldorf and has been running for over 40 years. Delicacies and hot coffee are served at various stalls.

Every second Sunday of the month.

radschlaegermarkt-duesseldorf.de

October

Lifestyle, tradition

Oktoberfest in Düsseldorf

The Oktoberfest has a long tradition not only in Münchne, but also at the Kasematten on Düsseldorf's Rhine embankment promenade! Here people sway and chat - with Düsseldorf Altbier and in keeping with Rhenish cheerfulness.

Very important dates are also the Niederkassel Oktoberfest, to which all of Düsseldorf goes in traditional costume, and the Rheinisches Oktoberfest, which takes place at the Neuss racecourse.

The dates for 2023 have not yet been fixed.

rheinisches-oktoberfest.de schuetzen-niederkassel.de

kasematten-duesseldorf.de

December

Christmas Market

Düsseldorf Christmas Market - Kö On Ice

Even though there is rarely snow in Düsseldorf, the Düsseldorf Christmas Market is one of the most beautiful traditions. And it is so popular that its Benelux neighbours always come to visit. The market is spread over various locations in the city, such as the very central Rathausplatz, Burgplatz, Flingerstrasse, Corneliusplatz, Königsallee, Kö-Bogen, Schadowplatz and Schadowstrasse. An ice rink, the DEG Winter World, will be set up in front of the Kö Bogen. For energy policy reasons, the organisers have reduced the 'real' ice rink. But this is still one of Düsseldorf's most beautiful attractions.

In December

deg-winterwelt.de

And a little photo series of Düsseldorf

Nordpark Düsseldorf

Landtag NRW