Experience 2026: excitement, festivals and new attractions in NRW!

Experience 2026: excitement, festivals and new attractions in NRW!

The year 2026 will bring a colorful program of events and new openings to North Rhine-Westphalia, and Cologne in particular stands out with its highlights. On August 1, 2026, the Cologne lights, which are now the 21st edition of the spectacular fireworks event in the cathedral city, will captivate spectators. koelner-lichter.de reports that OSMAB Holding AG will again appear as a presenter under the chairmanship of Anton Mertens. Sparkasse KölnBonn and RheinEnergie actively support the event. Tickets are already being sold in advance and the majority of visitors can enjoy the fascinating light shows with free entry.

But the Cologne lights are just one of many highlights that citizens can look forward to in the coming year. [24rhein.de](https://www.24rhein.de/leben-im-westen/freizeit/was-2026-in-nrw-los-ist- events-jubilaeen-und-highlights-94101725.html) highlights that numerous events are planned throughout North Rhine-Westphalia, including the opening of the new “Karls Erlebnis-Dorf” amusement park at the Centro Oberhausen in the summer 2026, where families and children should get their money's worth. Of course, major investments are also being made in the Panorama Park Kirchhundem: a 32 meter high slide tower with up to twelve slides is being built here, which is scheduled to open in time for the start of the season at the end of March.

Major exhibitions and anniversaries

There is also a lot to report in the cultural area. From Easter 2026, the “DinoXperience” will open in Königswinter – an exciting adventure world in which dinosaurs come to life. Fictional excavations and a research center promise adventures for the whole family. In addition, the State Garden Show in Neuss plans to present numerous themed gardens from April to October, with around 1,000 events.

The new Droste worlds at Burg Hülshoff and in the Rüschhaus in Havixbeck in particular promise a cultural treat: not only will a barrier-free exhibition about Annette von Droste-Hülshoff be opened here, but a digital space for literature and workshops will also be created. A kitchen garden will be created in the Rüschhaus house, which will be connected to the castle by a poetry path.

Sport and music in focus

Music is also getting big in NRW: numerous stars will be performing in the summer, including the Backstreet Boys, Helene Fischer and Jason Derulo. The Bergische Cycling Week, which takes place from August 22nd to 30th, 2026, offers guided tours that not only promote sportiness, but also focus on the region's gastronomy.

A special highlight is the 200th anniversary of the Cologne-Düsseldorf German Rhine Navigation, which will be celebrated with a big season opening on April 25, 2026. The Neanderthal Museum in Mettmann looks back on 30 years and is showing a special exhibition about migration, while the Museum Ludwig in Cologne is celebrating its 50th birthday with an exhibition by Yayoi Kusama - a sensation that should not be missed.

Overall, 2026 promises to be an exciting year for NRW and its residents. Whether culture, sport or entertainment – ​​there is something for everyone here. Further information about the sights and events can be found on the relevant websites such as nrw-tourismus.de for the latest highlights.