Düsseldorf is known as the city of fashion and shopping on the Rhine. Königsallee, the magnificent boulevard with its central waterway lined by chestnut trees, is a veritable catwalk for the latest fashion trends.
As trade fair city with a world-wide reputation, Düsseldorf combines charm and lifestyle with Rhenish „joie de vivre“. Düsseldorfers love to celebrate, with thousands participating in the traditionally recurring festivals and annual big single events. The city’s cultural and arts scene is one of the liveliest in Germany.
The „Altstadt“, the old part of town, often called the „world's longest bar“ because of its more than 260 pubs and restaurants, is in itself an experience in Rhenish hospitality and conviviality, and a treasure trove for those interested in history. Germany’s famous poet Heinrich Heine was born here, Napoleon is said to have dined in its oldest restaurant.
As for Düsseldorf's culinary variety, it is as international as the people who live here – ranging from the traditional regional „Sauerbraten“ to Sushi, from „Altbier“ to champagne.
Düsseldorf - Art & Culture
Theater A diverse range of more than 20 theaters, from the Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus (Playhouse) to the Musical Theater Capitol, Roncalli’s Apollo Variety Theatre and several cabarets and revues make for a lively theatre scene.
Art The two houses of the K20/K21 Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen (Art Collection North Rhine-Westphalia) with its selected masterpieces of the 20th and 21th century, including one of the world’s largest collections of paintings by Paul Klee, and the museum kunst palast showing European art from the middle ages to the present, make Düsseldorf the top address for modern and contemporary art in Germany. Several high-class museums, the renowned Academy of Arts, and more than 100 important galleries further corroborate this claim.
Music The Deutsche Oper am Rhein (German Opera on the Rhine) and the Tonhalle Düsseldorf (music hall) located at Ehrenhof are top destinations for the fans of classical music. The Düsseldorf Symphony Orchestra, international soloists and top class orchestras perform in these outstanding concert locations. Daily pop, rock and jazz concerts at different venues and several annual music festivals make for a wide musical variety.
Architecture From 18th century baroque Benrath Palace with its unique harmony of landscape and architecture to one of the most recent attractions, the famous ‘dancing’ towers of the American star architect Frank O. Gehry in the new Media Harbour, many reputed architects have left their marks on the city.
Düsseldorf - Events & Festivals
November 11th is the start of the Carnival season, when revellers are let loose until spring of the following year. Over 300 carnival sessions, balls, costume balls and parades dominate life on the Rhine during this time. The highlight of the season is the Rose Monday Parade in February / March.
Five million people come to the Kirmes, the Grand Fair on the Rhine on the Oberkassel Rhine Meadows every July. The climax of the fair every year is the grand fireworks by the Rhine. Düsseldorf’s Altstadtherbst, a festival for the younger cultural scene, has by now made a name for itself as the cultural event in autumn and an exciting platform and meeting place for young, innovative culture. For 18 days, a varied programme of music, dance and theatre takes place in churches, pubs, galleries, public buildings and places.
Around 250,000 visitors from Germany and abroad, over 400 musicians from more than 20 nations, over 90 concerts and 36 locations participate in the Jazz Rally every year in June in Düsseldorf. There is something to satisfy every taste – be it Blues, Swing, Dixie, Salsa, Latin or Open Jazz, mainstream jazz or HipHop, traditional or world music.
Once every year in May, on Japan Day, Düsseldorf demonstrates why it can justly be proud of its epithet ‘Nippon on the Rhine’. The large stage on Burgplatz is then the scene of Japanese dance, song and theatre shows. On the Rhine embankment, the country of the rising sun presents itself in all its variety. One of the highlights of the traditional Japan Day is a fantastic fireworks display after nightfall, conjured up in the sky over the river by Japanese pyrotechnicians.
Düsseldorf - Fairs & Conventions
boot-Düsseldorf During this biggest international boat show taking place every January, about 1,700 exhibitors from 37 countries can be visited on an area of 190,000 square meters. The highlights of the number one trade fair for water sport are boating, surfing, diving, fishing, water tourism and charter, plus equipment and accessories.
Düsseldorf „Collections Premieren Düsseldorf“ (CPD) The world’s biggest fashion fair brings together the avantgarde of fashion every year in February and August in Düsseldorf. Two thousand exhibitors, more than 50,000 visitors who work in the industry and 1,400 journalists meet here. As the leading trade fair, CPD is an international platform for the presentation of new collections and product innovations.
Düsseldorf - Lifestyle & Entertainment
„To see and be seen“ is the slogan on the famous shopping boulevard Königsallee (Kö). Numerous cafe terraces and restaurants offer the finest culinary delights and tempt the visitor to linger.
In Roncalli’s Apollo Varieté international artists present their program every evening under the starry sky. In addition to the artistic entertainment Roncalli’s Apollo Varieté offers a unique ambiance with its unusual location under the Rheinknie bridge. The Capitol-Theater is one of Germany’s most exceptional musical houses. A train depot which is over a hundred years old became a lovingly restored and decorated stage for international musical hits ranging from „Grease“, „Rent“ and „The Rocky Horror Picture Show“ to „Cabaret“ and "Miami Nights".
Düsseldorf - Shopping
Königsallee, affectionately called „Kö“, confirms Düsseldorf’s reputation as Germany’s most elegant shopping metropolis, almost all of the big international fashion designers having their shops here. Several splendid malls, design- and theme-stores as well as jewellers, antique dealers and bookstores complete the luxury range.
Schadowstrasse with the Schadow Arcades, many department and clothing stores and several photo and electronics shops is counted among Germany’s shopping areas with the highest turnover.
Düsseldorf - Culinary
What do you fancy? An Espresso at one of the elegant pavement cafés on the 'Kö'? A hearty meal accompanied by a refreshing glass of Düsseldorf Altbier in one of the Altstadt’s quaint breweries? A candlelight-dinner at a posh restaurant, or rather a take-away pizza?
Düsseldorf's Altstadt with its more than 260 inns and restaurants is known worldwide as the 'longest bar in the world'. The waiters in the traditional brewery restaurants, recognizable by their blue aprons and called ‘Köbesse’, are known for their earthy cordiality. Rheinischer Sauerbraten (pickled roast beef) with applesauce tops the list of regional specialties served here, the beverage of choice being Altbier, the local top-fermented dark beer brewed in accordance with purity standards laid down in the 16th century.
