markets events arts music

Vibrant city life in the Übermorgenstadt

Unforgettable experiences in a unique environment – Oldenburg is a university city and cultural centre with a lot to offer. The annual arts and culture programme in Oldenburg is very diverse and evidences Oldenburg's joie de vivre and warmth. There is always something on offer to suit all tastes. Highlights of the year include the ceramics market, the Oldenburger Promenade, the Cultural Summer, the Lamberti Christmas Market and a wide range of theatre, cinema and musical performances. The shops are also often open on Sundays for weekend shoppers.  We look forward to welcoming you!

Oldenburg – the Übermorgenstadt. Ideal for culture enthusiasts.


Highlights


Oldenburg Spring Market (Easter 2011)
The Oldenburg Spring Market is the first funfair of the year, and is held on the 25,000 square metre outdoor grounds of the Weser-Ems-Halle, offering all the fairground entertainment young and old could wish for. If you are lucky you could even bump into the Easter Bunny! The fairground attractions with rides and roundabouts are particularly appealing to families with children, who appreciate the attractive and yet compact market layout.

The Oldenburg Spring Market is open on the first day from 3 p.m. to 11 p.m., Sunday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., Easter Monday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m., Tuesday to Thursday from 2 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Saturday from 2 p.m. to 11 p.m..


Nikolai Market (11 and 12 June 2011)
At the Whitsun weekend the Nikolai arts and crafts market in the historical Nikolai quarter is a magnet for visitors. It is open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. The market theme is "Craftsmanship and Design", and it showcases a myriad of beautifully hand-crafted wares in the Bergstrasse and the Kleine Kirchenstrasse. More than 60 stands display the work of professional artisans and artists from all over Germany made of textiles, metal, glass, ceramics, porcelain and wood – including furniture – and also gold and silver jewellery. A wide range of culinary delights are also on offer including wines and juices, coffee and cake specialities, lunches and ice-cream. The Kunsthandwerk Oldenburg workgroup once more invites you to an unusual exhibition, with craftwork from 15 workshops and ateliers on show. The Nikolai Market is a permanent fixture on Oldenburg's annual calendar of events, and offers craftspeople and designers a forum to market their products. Only professional artisans are invited to attend.


Dreams come true in Oldenburg's gardens
(14 May to 7 August 2011)
When the farm gardens in the Oldenburg region are bursting into flower, Oldenburg itself also blossoms and blooms. The picturesque alleys and idyllic squares in the city centre literally turn into "dream gardens" with an endless range of themes and mottos in which professional landscape gardeners demonstrate their skills. Different activities and events such as readings, lectures and concerts inspire the mind and calm the spirit at the same time.



14th Oldenburger Promenade – the international music festival
(6 June to 13 June 2011)
This festival is extremely popular among visitors from and around Oldenburg and favoured by renowned performers from around the world. With the Promenade concept it has set a very high standard. Concerts lasting around 45 minutes are staged at the same time at the most attractive venues in the city – for example the Palace, St. Lamberti's church and the Museum of Man and Nature.

The tickets for a Promenade take visitors to three different venues in one evening to enjoy music of very different genres. Depending on the selected promenade, classical music, jazz and modern music could all be in store in one evening – an exciting acoustic experience.


The Cultural Summer (Kultursommer)
(7 July to 31 July 2011)
Every summer the Cultural Summer casts its spell over Oldenburg, and keeps the city buzzing with its colourful programme. Starting with the traditional opening event on the Schlossplatz, it resembles a travel guide through many styles of music, art and culture - jazz, pop, rock, classic, open-air cinema, exhibitions, readings and theatre are all included. Guests are welcomed at various venues around the city,  with the Schlossgarten, the palace gardens, providing the most spectacular backdrop.



International Ceramics Weekend in Oldenburg (Keramiktage)
(6 August to 7 August 2011)
On the first weekend in August Oldenburg showcases first-class ceramics and ceramic art.
Every year the Workshop and School of Art and Cultural Activities (Werkschule – Werkstatt für Kunst und Kulturarbeit) organises the ceramics market, which is very popular and attracts a large number of visitors. This traditional market has an impressive range of original goods, high-profile exhibitors and an excellent organisation team, and has become one of the major international events on the German ceramics calendar.

Costly unique pieces and designer work, original garden ceramics, filigree porcelain and a wide but selective range of items for everyday use made to an extraordinarily high standard are offered for sale. More than 100 selected ceramics workshops from all over Germany and other European countries travel to Oldenburg to exhibit the very best of the varied ceramics techniques available. An attractive programme of events with workshops, exhibitions, award ceremonies and more frames the market … The extra "Oldenburg special" package is perfect for visiting the ceramics market,  allowing you to spend the night in the city, and browse through the treasures of the market and discover what Oldenburg has to offer during the day.


The Oldenburg Stadfest
(25 August to 27 August 2011)
The Oldenburg Stadtfest, the city festival, is held over a period of three days, and with its 400,000 visitors is one of the largest outdoor events in North West Germany. More than 20 stages for live performances and 200 stands selling goods of all kinds ensure a fun atmosphere and hot summer nights. In keeping with tradition, the Stadtfest starts on the last Thursday in August, and for three days turns the Oldenburg pedestrian precinct into a huge open-air party.


The Weinfest
(7 September to 11 September 2011)
In September wine connoisseurs flock to the wine festival in the historical Oldenburg city centre. More than ten winemakers from a number of wine-growing regions offer their produce in the Oldenburg Waffenplatz square. Entertainment is provided by a host of live bands, and a varied selection of foods are on offer to complement the wines. A traditional feature of the festival is the jazz morning on Sunday, where you can go to enjoy an early glass of wine.


The International Film Festival in Oldenburg
(14 September to 18 September 2011)
Since its debut in 1994, the International Oldenburg Film Festival has become one of the highlights of the year for independent cinema goers and on the international festival landscape in Europe. This event is a special treat for all cineastes who enjoy and appreciate films which are outside the mainstream. Major premieres, surprising new features and original independent films combine to create the perfect blend of a high benchmark and enjoyable viewing.

This year an international jury will once more be awarding the "German Independence Award – Best German Film" to young German film-makers for work focusing on a particular theme or which expresses an unusual aesthetic ambition. The coveted Otto Sprenger prize for young film-makers is also awarded at the Oldenburg Film Festival. The EUR 8,000 prize, donated by the Otto Sprenger Foundation in collaboration with the North German Broadcasting Company NDR, is awarded for debut films of young film-makers, and in recent years went to talents such as Detlev Buck, Fatih Akin and Andreas Dresen.

The Sprenger Prize is the third prize awarded in Oldenburg alongside the "German Independence Award" and the "German Independence Award – Best German Film".


The Oldenburg Kramermarkt
(30 September to 9 October 2011)
No hint of northern reserve! The Oldenburg Kramermarkt fair is a real crowd-puller – not only attracting the Oldenburg locals but also visitors from the entire region. More than 1.5 million people enjoy the fun and attractions at the huge outdoor grounds of the Weser-Ems-Halle every year. Held on an area of 90,000 square metres and featuring around 270 attractions, the Kramermarkt is among the top ten fairs in Germany. The combination of the latest, traditional and even historical rides creates a very special atmosphere for ten days on the expansive outdoor grounds at the Weser-Ems-Halle in Oldenburg.

The Kramermarkt fair is open daily from 1 p.m. to midnight, and until 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturday. The gates open on the first day at 2 p.m.


KIBUM
(5 November to 15 November 2011)
Oldenburg's KIBUM is the largest non-commercial book fair for literature for children and young people! The Oldenburg Children's Book Fair (KIBUM) showcases new media releases for the young and young at heart. This media exhibition for children and young people is the largest non-commercial fair of its kind in Germany!

The KIBUM has been held annually since 1975 as a joint event organised by the municipal authorities, the university and Oldenburg community education centre (Volkshochschule). The aim of the fair is to provide the public with all-round information on books published for the young during the current year, show the latest computer learning programmes and games and to actively encourage reading. The fair currently features around 2,000 books of publishing houses from all German-speaking countries. All new publications sent by the publishers are exhibited. The 11-day fair is enhanced by a varied programme of events with author readings, theatre productions, story-telling, hands-on events and lectures. The research department for literature for children and young people of the Carl von Ossietzky University also attends the fair with an exhibition on a topic related to children's and teenage media.


International Oldenburg Equestrian Meet (Pferdetage)
(10 November to 13 November 2011)
The Weser-Ems-Halle is the venue of the International Oldenburg Equestrian Meet with an exciting and varied programme of events for horse enthusiasts including fast four-in-hand coach demonstrations.

The stars of the international elite take part in top-class dressage and show jumping competitions. Talented young riders, local matadors and nail-biting competitions fought out among top international stars of the equestrian world guarantee that the stands are always full, and local clubs also take part in team competitions for the Golden Ribbon. The meeting is held over a period of four days and offers visitors a varied and exciting programme which will not only thrill horse-riding enthusiasts.

Fast and impressive shows as well as exhibitor stands and culinary delicacies round off the International Oldenburg Equestrian Meet, guaranteeing an exciting occasion with a high entertainment value.


The Lamberti Market with its festive Christmas atmosphere
(22 November to 23 December 2011)
The tempting scent of gingerbread, roasted almonds and mulled wine, the seasonal chords of Christmas music and artisans demonstrating their traditional crafts … The atmosphere at the Lamberti Christmas Market in Oldenburg's city centre is very special. The market is held in a romantic setting with St. Lamberti's Church as its backdrop. It is framed by the historical city hall and Oldenburg palace, and is one of the most popular Christmas markets in North Germany! The pedestrian precinct is lined with more than 125 lovingly decorated wooden huts with their displays of arts and crafts, toys, Christmas decorations and much more. The Christmas market is the ideal place to start or round off an enjoyable shopping trip in the festive city centre. You are sure to find just what you are looking for in the seasonally decorated historical streets to put in the Christmas stockings of your loved ones. Children will enjoy sitting down and listening to the storytelling at the fairy-tale house, a trip on a merry-go-round or a pony ride. Waiting for Father Christmas can be fun!

Regular events
- Festive brass band music every Saturday at 5 p.m.
- Father Christmas arrives at the Palace in his coach at 4 p.m. every day
- Fairy-tale house with a story-teller for children
- Large Christmas nativity scene

Opening hours
Daily from 11.00 a.m. to 8.30 p.m.