Vielfalt! — Bonn's Festival of Culture and Encounters

Vielfalt! — The Federal City Celebrates Its International Identity

On Sunday, September 13, 2026, from 12:00 PM to 6:00 PM, the Bonn Market Square transforms into a stage for cultural diversity: The "Vielfalt!" Bonn Festival of Culture and Encounters brings together citizens of diverse backgrounds, migrant self-organizations, initiatives, international institutions, and the Bonn city community. Free admission — and a must-attend event for anyone wanting to discover Bonn's international side.

Bonn — The International City

After Berlin and Hamburg, Bonn is the city with the most prominent international profile in Germany. As a UN City with around 20 UN organizations (UN Climate Secretariat, UNV, UNCCD, etc.), host to many development policy institutions (GIZ, DAAD, BMZ-related entities), a university city with a high international student population, and a former federal capital with a diplomatic past, the city's international connections are undeniable. The Vielfalt Festival makes this reality visible.

What You Can Experience

The 2026 program focuses on encounters rather than consumption. Key highlights include:

• Stalls of migrant self-organizations — associations of Turkish, African, Asian, Eastern European, and Latin American origin present their culture and work
• Stage program — dances, music, and performances from various cultures, curated by Bonn's Integration Office
• Interactive activities — workshops, hands-on stations, introductory language courses
• Children's program — face painting, games, creative activities
• International gastronomy — food from around the world at the association stalls
• Presentation of the Bonn Integration Award — the annual award for outstanding commitment in the field of integration, the program's highlight

The Bonn Integration Award

The Bonn Integration Award is one of the city's most important accolades for social engagement. It annually honors individuals, initiatives, or associations that have made significant contributions to integration and intercultural understanding. The award ceremony on the market square during the Vielfalt Festival provides a public platform for the award, making the recognized projects visible to all — a deliberate gesture of appreciation for those who actively foster integration in daily life.

The Market Square as a Stage

For centuries, the Bonn Market Square has been the city's central meeting point — featuring the Old Town Hall, the Rhein-Sieg-Kreis building (formerly the Imperial Post Office building), and its familiar Sunday atmosphere. The spacious square accommodates stalls, stages, and seating. Its proximity to Bonn Central Station (5 min. walk), the Minster, and the Rhine makes the festival venue perfectly accessible.