MaiBuhrg — Art and Craft Market

May Day with Arts and Crafts

MaiBuhrg is the traditional art and craft market that the Theater an der Niebuhrg hosts every year on May 1st on its historic grounds. While political May Day speeches are held outside, the Niebuhrg grounds offer a quiet, curated alternative: a market for artistic craftsmanship in a park steeped in industrial history.

2026 Date – Friday, May 1st

The 2026 edition takes place on Friday, May 1st, 2026 – as always on the May Day holiday. The Theater an der Niebuhrg officially confirms the date. In addition, the organizer announces the Niebuhrg Light Festival for February 2026 (February 20th-21st) – both events are fixed dates in the theater's annual cycle.

Park der Niebuhrg – Former Concordia Colliery

The venue is the Park der Niebuhrg, located at Niebuhrstraße 61 in the north of Oberhausen. The site was originally part of the Zeche Concordia – one of the important hard coal mines in the northern Ruhr area. After its closure, the area was partly renatured and partly converted into a theater location. Today, Niebuhrg is a vibrant cultural center with a theater, garden, and event spaces.

Market Offerings – Tiffany, Wood, Jewelry, Couture

The selection of exhibitors is deliberately artistic and handcrafted: Tiffany glass art, wood sculptures, paintings, crystals, couture (handmade fashion), jewelry. No industrial stands, no mainstream assortments – a market for art lovers seeking the unique. The exhibitors are mostly from the Lower Rhine and Ruhr area; many are long-term partners of the theater.

Refreshments in the Front Courtyard

Refreshments are available in the front courtyard of the theater – with coffee and cake, small snacks, and drinks. Family atmosphere, no classic beer tent operation.

Theater an der Niebuhrg

The Theater an der Niebuhrg is an independent theater in Oberhausen with a long tradition. It presents its season with spoken theater, concerts, readings, and family programs. The MaiBuhrg market is a format that connects the theater with the local craft scene while also generating attention for its own program.

Background Niebuhrg

The "Niebuhrg" is a playful neologism – from "Niebuhrstraße" and "Burg" (castle). It refers to the ambition to see the industrial site as a cultural refuge. Similar word creations are the sister event "MaiBuhrg" and the "Lichterfest auf der Niebuhrg" in February.