Festwoche 100 Years Castrop-Rauxel 2026

Castrop-Rauxel — The Young City in the Northern Ruhr Area

Castrop-Rauxel, with around 75,000 inhabitants in the district of Recklinghausen, is a relatively young city: it was formed on April 1, 1926, by the merger of the towns of Castrop and Rauxel with other communities — a construction typical for the Ruhr area, reflecting the region's rapid growth in the first half of the 20th century. In 2026, the city turns 100 years old — and celebrates it with a grand festival week that combines historical appreciation with contemporary festival culture.

Double Anniversary — Also 50 Years of Stadthalle

Additionally, in 2026, the Stadthalle Castrop-Rauxel celebrates its 50th anniversary. The hall was opened in 1976 — and is an architectural highlight: it was designed by Danish architects Arne Jacobsen (1902–1971) and his student Otto Weitling. Jacobsen, one of the most important representatives of Danish Modernism (known for his iconic chairs like the "Ant" or the "Egg"), died in 1971 during the planning phase; Weitling completed the design. The Stadthalle is today one of Jacobsen's few buildings in Germany and is a listed monument.

The Festival Week May 22–30, 2026 — The Program

Opening Weekend May 22–24

The festival week starts on Friday, May 22, with the official opening at the city center, followed by concerts and community events.

Saturday, May 23 — Children's Theater "Das Ruhrgebiet ist meins!"

The children's play "Das Ruhrgebiet ist meins!" playfully explores the question of how the past, present, and future of the Ruhr area are connected — and how young people become part of this history. Tickets are available through the Altstadt-Ticketshop; some are free. A production explicitly aimed at the next generation.

Sunday, May 24 — Micky Beisenherz "Apokalypse & Filterkaffee — Castrop Special"

Local comedy star Micky Beisenherz, who has gained national fame with his podcast "Apokalypse & Filterkaffee" and his TV appearances, returns to his hometown for a special show. 8:00 PM in the Stadthalle, tickets from €39. A show that explicitly adopts the Castrop perspective, combining global crisis topics with local humor.

Disco in the Town Hall

A special program idea is the Disco in the Town Hall — the normally sober community center becomes a dance floor, showing that municipal institutions can also celebrate. Date and details will be announced on the festival website.

Saturday, May 30 — Big Family Festival at the City Center

The climax and conclusion of the festival week is the free Family Festival at the City Center (the geographical center of the city, at Europaplatz):

• 11:00 AM–5:00 PM: Market stalls, children's program, hands-on activities, citizen participation stands (clubs, parties, NGOs), culinary offerings
• Evening program until approx. 10:00 PM: Music festival with local bands on the main stage
• Free admission

The family festival is the collective concluding event of the festival week — Castrop-Rauxel celebrates itself, with all generations, all districts, all clubs.

Arne Jacobsen and the Stadthalle — An Architectural Tribute

The Stadthalle Castrop-Rauxel is an architectural gem that many Ruhr area residents are unaware of. The building, made of exposed concrete, large glass surfaces, and a dramatically curved foyer, clearly bears Arne Jacobsen's signature. During the festival week, special guided tours and exhibitions on the hall's architectural history are expected to be offered — details at castrop-rauxel.de/festwoche.

Self-Image — The Self-Confident Regional City

Castrop-Rauxel today positions itself as a self-confident regional city of around 75,000 inhabitants — not large enough to be a metropolis, but too large to be provincial. The 2026 festival week is also a stocktaking: What has this city been in 100 years? What does it want to be in the next 100 years?

Getting There and Practical Information

Castrop-Rauxel is located in the heart of the Ruhr area, easily accessible by train and car. Train: Castrop-Rauxel main station (RE 6, RB 43), city bus to the city center. Car: A 42 or A 45, exits Castrop-Rauxel-Süd or -Nord. Parking garages at Europaplatz. Program and detailed dates at castrop-rauxel.de/festwoche.