FestiWall Krefeld

Westwall without cars — Krefeld's urban idea

The Westwall is one of Krefeld's central streets, a wide boulevard axis through the city centre, normally dominated by the weekly market and parking traffic. Three times a year — and once particularly intensively over three days — the asphalt disappears under stages, tables, sports equipment, and brunch blankets. This is FestiWall: a city centre festival that Krefeld first organised in 2023 for its 650th city anniversary and has since established as a fixed date in the city calendar.

Three days of mobility boulevard

From Friday, September 11 to Sunday, September 13, 2026, the Westwall will become a car-free festival mile. The concept combines city marketing, mobility policy, and culture: parallel to the European Mobility Week, Krefeld uses the Westwall to show what a city can look like when car traffic pauses for a weekend.

Programme components

The programme changes from year to year but follows a stable line:

• FestiWall Brunch on the Westwall, closed to traffic — Krefeld residents come with picnic blankets and folding tables; large breakfast tables are set up.
• Live concerts on a mobile stage — from jazz and pop to local indie bands.
• Mobility market with cargo bike manufacturers, e-bike providers, and sharing services.
• Urban Walks and architecture tours through the city centre.
• Tango Milonga as an evening highlight (tango dancing in the open street).
• Sports Day with over 20 clubs presenting their sports for participation.
• Soccer Cage as a mini football pitch, permanently set up.

Background: an anniversary project becomes a tradition

The original occasion was Krefeld's 650th city anniversary in 2023. The city marketing team used the festival format to make Krefeld's city centre experienceable in a new way — and stuck with it. FestiWall is now one of the events with which Krefeld positions itself as the "City of Velvet and Silk" in the 21st century: less industrial past, more urban quality of life.

Krefeld on the Lower Rhine

Krefeld is located in the western Lower Rhine region, about 25 km from Düsseldorf. The city is known as a former silk city and houses one of West Germany's most significant Bauhaus contributions (Haus Lange / Haus Esters by Mies van der Rohe). Those who want to combine the festival with a city visit: the Bauhaus Museum or the Mies van der Rohe Business Park are reachable within a 15-minute walk from the Westwall.