IGA 2027 Construction Site Festival 2026 — Nordsternpark Gelsenkirchen

One-Year Countdown to Europe's Largest Garden Exhibition

On April 23, 2027, the International Garden Exhibition IGA 2027 will open in the Ruhr region — the first IGA not held in a single city, but across an entire region. 3.1 million visitors are expected; five Future Gardens form the centerpiece (Gelsenkirchen-Nordsternpark, Duisburg-RheinPark, Dortmund-Emscher-Nordwärts, Lünen-Seepark, Emscherland-Castrop-Rauxel), along with numerous accompanying locations. Exactly one year before the opening — on Friday, April 24, 2026 — the Ruhr region celebrates the "Day of the IGA" with construction site festivals at five locations simultaneously. In Gelsenkirchen, the largest and most prominent festival will take place: the Construction Site Festival at Nordsternpark.

When and Where?

• Date: Friday, April 24, 2026
• Time: 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
• Location: Nordsternpark Gelsenkirchen, entrance area to the amphitheater at the Doppelbogenbrücke
• Admission: free

Program

Free Construction Tours

The highlight of the festival is the free construction tours, which lead through the developing Nordsternpark Future Garden hourly and half-hourly. Experienced guides explain the concepts: renaturation of the Rhein-Herne Canal, new promenades, climate gardens, play areas for children, inclusion gardens. You'll enter areas normally closed off — a unique opportunity to experience the creation of a major project up close.

Info Booths

Several info booths about IGA 2027: Concept of the three animals ("Future Gardens", "Our Gardens", "My Garden"), ticket advice for season tickets (presale starts on this day), information for volunteers, applications for exhibitor spaces.

Live Music and Catering

Regional bands will play on a small stage (program to be announced in spring 2026), food trucks will offer Ruhr region specialties, and drink stands will provide refreshments — a relaxed, family-friendly after-work event.

Presale Start for IGA Season Tickets

On April 24, 2026, the official presale of season tickets for IGA 2027 begins — with an early bird discount. Those who buy their tickets at the construction site festival will secure the best price and be at the front of the line in 2027.

What is IGA 2027?

The International Garden Exhibition is Europe's largest garden exhibition — it takes place every ten years. IGA 2027 is the first to take place in an entire metropolitan region: not in one city, but spread across the Ruhr region between Duisburg and Lünen. Three levels:

• Future Gardens (5 large main locations with the main exhibition)
• Our Gardens (regional parks with accompanying program)
• My Garden (community projects, allotment gardens, local engagement)

The IGA runs from April 23 to October 17, 2027 — six months of gardens, culture, architecture, and citizen participation.

Nordsternpark — Stage for the Future Garden

Nordsternpark in Gelsenkirchen-Horst is a classic from the 1997 International Garden Exhibition — today a green oasis in the heart of the Ruhr region, at the former Nordstern colliery. The Doppelbogenbrücke and the Amphitheater are urban landmarks. For IGA 2027, the park will be further modernized — the 2026 construction site festival offers a first glimpse of its development.