Night of the Arts Düsseldorf

Düsseldorf — City of Art on the Rhine

The state capital Düsseldorf, with around 645,000 inhabitants on the Rhine in the state of North Rhine-Westphalia, is one of Germany's most important art cities. With the Düsseldorf Art Academy (Joseph Beuys, Andreas Gursky, Tomas Schütte), the Kunstsammlung NRW (K20/K21), the Kunstpalast, the NRW-Forum, the Museum Kunstpalast, and an unusually dense gallery landscape, the city offers an exceptionally strong cultural profile. The Night of the Arts brings this diversity together for one night in a single event.

Premiere under a New Name — Night of the Arts

In 2026, the Night of the Arts is the premiere under a new name — it replaces the long-standing Night of the Museums. With the change comes an expansion of the concept: not just museums, but also galleries, studios, off-spaces, art performances in public spaces, concerts, and workshops. The event thus encompasses the entire Düsseldorf art scene — from established collections to the independent off-scene.

45 Locations in One Night — 7 PM to 2 AM

On Saturday, April 18, 2026, from 7:00 PM to 2:00 AM, over 40 venues will open their doors simultaneously — admission with the central Night of the Arts ticket. Illuminated facades, dedicated program slots, some venues with special late-night openings. The city itself lights up for the night: "a creative evening in moonlight", as the organizers put it.

Participating Locations (Selection)

• Kunstpalast Düsseldorf — the city's largest collection of old masters and modern art
• NRW-Forum Düsseldorf — photography and pop culture
• Kunstsammlung NRW (K20 and K21) — modern and contemporary art
• Sammlung Philara — private collection of contemporary art
• Rheinturm Düsseldorf — exhibitions and views
• Roncalli's Apollo Varieté — stage performances
• State Garden Show Neuss — open-air art
• Off-Spaces in Flingern, Bilk, Medienhafen, Pempelfort, Oberbilk
• Galleries in Carlstadt, city center, and near the Art Academy

Program Profile

Each of the 45+ locations will have its own mini-program: special guided tours in the collections, artist performances in the studios, DJ sets and concerts in the off-spaces, workshops in the creative spaces. Those who plan "systematically" can visit two to five locations in one evening — those who go with the flow will be surprised. Organizers recommend purchasing tickets in advance and planning routes via the festival website.

Shuttle and Accessibility

The ticket for €17 includes the use of shuttle buses that run back and forth between the more distant locations (e.g., Neuss, Sammlung Philara in Flingern, off-spaces in Bilk). This allows you to cross the city without a car. The info hotline 0211 8999555 answers short-term questions, and a newsletter provides updates on tickets.

In the Context of Düsseldorf's Art Events

The Night of the Arts complements the year-round program of Düsseldorf's art institutions — from the Art Academy's participation in the Biennale to special collection exhibitions and independent art off-spaces. With one night in April, it marks the start of the spring cultural season — and positions Düsseldorf as a German art city that has significantly expanded its own event compared to the "Long Night of Museums" in Berlin and Cologne.