Cityfest Alt-Oberhausen

Alt-Oberhausen Celebrates its Cityfest in the Heart of the City Center

When Oberhausen turns the city center into a stage, it's time for the Cityfest Alt-Oberhausen. For three days, Marktstraße and Altmarkt become a festival mile with live music, family entertainment, club stands, and culinary highlights. The festival is a fixture in Oberhausen's event calendar and shapes the identity of the Alt-Oberhausen district, the historic center of the city.

New in 2026: Street Food Alley with Food Trucks

A real innovation for 2026 is the Street Food Alley with food trucks. The Cityfest is tapping into a trend that has become standard in recent years in Cologne, Düsseldorf, and the Ruhr area. International cuisine, vegan options, and creative street food concepts complement the traditional sausage and fries offered by the clubs.

Friday, September 25th – Kick-off with Showmen

Friday evening gets the city festival going: Rides like carousels, fishing games, and showmen's stalls are available in Marktstraße and Altmarkt. Families with children will find a classic funfair atmosphere here in a small format, without the pressure of a large fairground. Starts usually around 12 PM.

Saturday, September 26th – Club Day

Saturday is dedicated to local clubs. The stage at Altmarkt features groups from Oberhausen's sports, dance, and cultural scene. Confirmed performers include the Maverick Liners (Country Line Dance), TC Royal (Dance Sport), and the FC Sterkrade 2Dance group. In addition, stilt walkers, a hands-on circus, and a marching band will parade through the streets. Program starts at 12 PM until approx. 6 PM.

Sunday, September 27th – Family Day and Open Sunday Shopping

Sunday combines family day and open Sunday shopping: while the stage offers family entertainment, shops on Marktstraße open their doors from 1 PM to 6 PM. This gives Cityfest 2026 Oberhausen retailers a rare opportunity for Sunday sales – an important sales boost for downtown businesses.

CityO.-Management e.V. – Organizer of the City Festival

The organizer is CityO.-Management e.V., an association of downtown retailers, restaurateurs, service providers, and the City of Oberhausen. The goal is to revitalize the Alt-Oberhausen city center, which, like many Ruhr area city centers, is struggling with structural change and online competition. The Cityfest is one of the most important tools for this.

Alt-Oberhausen in the Western Ruhr Area

Oberhausen is located in the western Ruhr area between Duisburg and Mülheim. Alt-Oberhausen is the historic city center (distinct from Sterkrade and Osterfeld, the other major districts). Marktstraße is the central pedestrian zone, and Altmarkt is the traditional meeting place. The city center is a 10-minute walk from the main train station.