Discover Dusseldorf
Home to historic architecture, modern art, and endless altbier in ‘the longest bar in the world’, Dusseldorf packs a lot in.
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Food lovers will relish browsing the stalls of its street markets, while aesthetes will appreciate the Art Nouveau architecture of Oberkassel and the modern masterpieces of the Kunstsammlung gallery.
Festivals and events
Dusseldorf Carnival
The highlight of the city’s events calendar is Dusseldorf Carnival, a yearly riot of costumes, floats and street parties. The carnival takes place mainly in February, but is kickstarted symbolically on 11 November, when Hoppeditz, a jester-style figure, emerges from a giant pot of mustard and delivers a scathing comedic speech to the town. This pretty much sets the tone for February’s celebrations, which begin with the mayor being captured by witches and end with an effigy of Hoppeditz being burned.
Christmas markets
Germany is famous for its Christmas markets and Dusseldorf is no different, with the smell of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts filling the streets of the Altstadt between late November and late December each year. At the Marktplatz, local woodcarvers and glass-blowers sell fantastic Christmas gifts, while the Sternchenmarkt is the place to come for mulled wine and festive food.
Biggest Funfair on the Rhine
Each summer, Oberkassel plays host to the aptly named Biggest Funfair on the Rhine, which lasts for 10 days in July and attracts millions of visitors each year. The fair celebrates the day of St Apollinaris, and a festival has been held here for 700 years. As well as funfair rides, the event includes marching bands and fireworks.