Würselener Kulturfest 2026

Würselen — Cultural City between Aachen and Eschweiler

Würselen is located in the westernmost tip of North Rhine-Westphalia, in the Aachen district, between the university city of Aachen and the industrial city of Eschweiler. With around 38,000 inhabitants, the city is manageable — but its cultural scene is surprisingly vibrant. The Arbeitsgemeinschaft 1970 e.V. (ARGE for short), founded in 1970, has been coordinating art, music, and cultural events for decades. The Kulturstiftung Würselen, a later initiative by the city, complements this work with its own programs.

Three Days, Several Locations

The Würselener Kulturfest will take place from Friday, April 17th to Sunday, April 19th, 2026. It is not a classic city festival with a marquee and stage, but a decentralized cultural festival with events at several locations in the city — Burg Wilhelmstein, Metropolis cinema, Old Town Hall, exhibition spaces.

Burg Wilhelmstein — Concerts and Theatre

Burg Wilhelmstein, a late medieval moated castle on the outskirts of town, is the most atmospheric festival center. In 2026, the DAS-DA-Theater from Aachen will perform Shakespeare's "Romeo & Julia" here — a production in a historic setting that elevates the play to a new aesthetic dimension. Concerts and readings will complement the castle program over the three days.

Metropolis — Film Screenings at Würselen's Art House Cinema

The Metropolis cinema is Würselen's art house cinema — not a multiplex hall, but a lovingly run venue focusing on independent films, documentaries, and cinematic art. During the Kulturfest, curated film screenings will be shown here, often related to local themes or artists.

Kulturstiftung at the Old Town Hall — Albert Sous and Hans Wittl

On Sunday, April 19th, starting at 1:00 PM, the Kulturstiftung Würselen will present its stand in front of the Old Town Hall. On the program: documentaries about two local artists — Albert Sous and Hans Wittl. Both films were initiated by the city of Würselen and the Kulturstiftung. They make regional art history accessible to a broad audience and exemplify the foundation's curatorial work.

Exhibitions and Readings

Exhibition openings, vernissages, and readings will take place throughout the three days. The Kulturstiftung regularly publishes the Würselener Kulturkalender, which lists the programs in detail. Local artists, often members of the ARGE, will present paintings, sculptures, and photography.

Visiting Würselen — More Than Just the Festival

Visitors to the Kulturfest can extend their stay in Würselen: Burg Wilhelmstein with its moat, the Wurmtal hiking trail, the historic center of Aachen just a 10-minute train ride away, the Dreiländereck (Three-Country Corner) with Belgium and the Netherlands within reach. Würselen is a good starting point for a cultural tour in the Aachen region.