KAW Double Anniversary 25/50

Two Anniversaries, One Festival Week — 25/50 at KAW Leverkusen

In 2026, the Kulturausbesserungswerk Leverkusen (KAW) celebrates an extraordinary double anniversary: 25 years of KAW itself (founded in 2001) and 50 years of the Supporting Association for Free Youth and Cultural Centers Leverkusen (founded in 1976). From September 12th to 20th, 2026, the premises at Kolberger Straße 95A (district Quettingen-Opladen) will become the stage for a nine-day festival week with a daily changing program.

KAW — Kulturausbesserungswerk in Context

The Kulturausbesserungswerk Leverkusen is one of the established alternative cultural centers in the Rhineland. The name plays on the industrial term "Ausbesserungswerk" (repair shop) — applied to culture: a workshop that "sets culture right." Programmatically, it hosts concerts, cabaret, performance art, readings, and theater productions — mostly off the commercial mainstream. The supporting body is the Förder- und Trägerverein freie Jugend- und Kulturzentren Leverkusen e.V., which is simultaneously celebrating its 50th anniversary.

Program 2026 — Nine Days of Daily Programming

From September 12th to 20th, 2026, a unique program will be offered each day — nine days in a row. Planned are:

• Concerts of various genres (rock, singer-songwriter, jazz)
• Cabaret and performance art — political and satirical stage programs
• Theater productions by regional and national ensembles
• Exhibition on the history of KAW and the supporting association — visualizing 25 and 50 years of alternative culture in Leverkusen
• Readings with authors from the Leverkusen cultural scene

Quettingen-Opladen — The District with History

KAW is located in the Quettingen district of Opladen — historically independent, incorporated into Leverkusen in 1975. Opladen was a railway town with the famous Bahnausbesserungswerk Opladen (Opladen Railway Repair Shop) — hence the name reference of KAW. The industrial architecture of the site is part of its charm: raw brick walls, high ceilings, industrial culture as a cultural stage.

What to Expect

Unlike commercial festivals (Lit.Cologne, Ruhrfestspiele), the KAW Double Anniversary has the character of an alternative, locally rooted festival week. The audience is from Leverkusen, and the program is intertwined with the city's community. Anyone interested in subculture, alternative stages, and volunteer cultural work will find themselves at home here.

Getting There and Practical Information

Address: Kolberger Straße 95A, 51381 Leverkusen-Opladen. Take the DB train to Opladen station, then bus or walk. By car: A1 to Leverkusen-Opladen, then follow signs for Quettingen. Parking available in the vicinity.