Parksommer Witten

Light Art, Soul Sound, and a Silent Dance Night

Parksommer Witten is the newest, yet already most popular event series from Stadtmarketing Witten GmbH: a two-day staging of Witten's Stadtpark with light, music, picnics, and one of the most unusual party formats ever — the headphone party. On September 23rd and 24th, 2026, the park at the end of summer transforms into a place where families, the young-at-heart, and light art fans celebrate the transition into the darker season together.

The Parkleuchten — Light Art Between Trees and Fog

The centerpiece of both evenings is the Parkleuchten: artfully illuminated trees, mist-shrouded paths, floating light objects, and installations scattered across the grounds create a fairytale atmosphere. New light motifs are added annually — for example, allusions to Witten as the cradle of Ruhr mining or to current major events. The staging begins each evening at 8 PM and runs until midnight.

Program Friday, September 23rd, 2026

• From 6 PM: Opening with gastronomic offerings
• 8 PM to Midnight: Parkleuchten — artistic illumination of the Stadtpark

Program Saturday, September 24th, 2026

• From 3 PM: Family picnic on the meadow — blankets, baskets, and sunshine for young and old
• 7 PM to 10 PM: Live music at Villa Lohmann — the duo "Strings" with Soul, Latin, and Swing
• 8 PM to Midnight: Parkleuchten and Headphone Party on the festival meadow

The Headphone Party — Three DJs, One Sound in Your Head

The Silent Disco idea with a Witten touch: Each guest receives headphones and switches between three DJ channels — charts, 80s/90s classics, and pop party music play simultaneously. Those who take off their headphones hear only the laughter and singing of people on the meadow — a surreal, almost magical atmosphere. Admission €10, deposit for headphones €10 (refunded upon return).

Family Program and Admission

The entire Parksommer is free to enter; only the headphone party requires tickets. The Saturday picnic is explicitly aimed at families: bring your own blankets and picnic baskets, or get supplies from the stands on site. Children can explore the light objects at dusk before the nighttime program begins.

A Young, Quickly Established Tradition

Parksommer was launched by Stadtmarketing Witten GmbH as a new event series and takes place annually in one of Witten's parks. After just a few editions, the format has established itself as a crowd-puller — Witten residents come with picnic baskets and blankets, families let their children dance among the trees, and in the late evening, the meadow fills with the unique silence of the headphone party.

Supporters

Main supporters in 2026 are Stadtwerke Witten GmbH, BOGESTRA, Fielmann, the furniture store Ostermann, and Steneberg Hörgeräte. Without this sponsorship, the ambitious light program would not be possible in this form.