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Essen, Germany

What's on in Essen

Concerts, festivals and things to do in Essen, soonest first.

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Upcoming events in Essen

Open-air concert crowd on a lawn facing a stage in the afternoon — AI-generated illustration

Wed, Oct 14 · 08:00 PM

STOPPOK - Jetzt geht's RUND

Lichtburg · Essen

From €45

Speaker at a podium addressing a seated audience — AI-generated illustration

Thu, Oct 15 · 08:00 PM

DAVID KEBEKUS - „Sensible Inhalte“

Zeche Carl · Essen

From €25

Covered food market with fresh vegetables and bread stalls in daylight — AI-generated illustration

Fri, Oct 16 · 06:00 PM

Frischeparadies Essen - Edutainment - Krustentier Stammtisch

Frischeparadies Essen · Essen

From €139

Vintage frames and brass pieces on a market table under white tents — AI-generated illustration

Fri, Oct 16 · 07:00 PM

contemporary art ruhr (C.A.R.) INNOVATIVE ART FAIR · Oct 16

UNESCO-Welterbe Zollverein · Essen

From €14

Drummer and bassist performing under green stage light — AI-generated illustration

Fri, Oct 16 · 07:45 PM

EISENPIMMEL - goes Altersteilzeit - die AbschiedsClubShow!

Zeche Carl · Essen

From €29

Cyclists in white kit ride up a stone alley at night while spectators lean on a wall. — AI-generated illustration

Fri, Oct 16 · 08:00 PM

Heimspiele 26/27 - EHC Essen - Neusser EV 1b

Eissporthalle Essen-West · Essen

From €6

Three panel speakers seen from behind at a draped table facing a packed theatre audience under bright stage lights — AI-generated illustration

Fri, Oct 16 · 08:00 PM

Die Känguru-Chroniken (szenische Lesung)

GRENDTheater · Essen

From €24

Vintage finds on a flea market table — AI-generated illustration

Sat, Oct 17 · 11:00 AM

contemporary art ruhr (C.A.R.) INNOVATIVE ART FAIR · Oct 17

UNESCO-Welterbe Zollverein · Essen

From €14

Two actors on a dimly lit stage in front of an audience — AI-generated illustration

Sat, Oct 17 · 08:00 PM

Niemand muss ein Promi sein – die Live Show zum Podcast.

Zeche Carl · Essen

From €39

Audience seen from behind in front of a red velvet stage curtain lit by a beam of stage light — AI-generated illustration

Sat, Oct 17 · 08:00 PM

Ungehaltene Reden ungehaltener Frauen

GRENDTheater · Essen

From €24

Market street lined with stalls and awnings — AI-generated illustration

Sun, Oct 18 · 11:00 AM

contemporary art ruhr (C.A.R.) INNOVATIVE ART FAIR · Oct 18

UNESCO-Welterbe Zollverein · Essen

From €14

Couple holding hands walking away down a red-carpeted corridor lit by brass wall lamps — AI-generated illustration

Sun, Oct 18 · 05:00 PM

Zwei Witwen sehen rot - Reife Frauen und unreife Sprüche

GRENDTheater · Essen

From €24

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Event guides — browse by month or type

Events in Essen — October 2026Events in Essen — November 2026Events in Essen — December 2026Events in Essen — January 2027Events in Essen — February 2027Events in Essen — March 2027Events in Essen — April 2027Events in Essen — May 2027Events in Essen — September 2027Culture & Art in EssenFamily Friendly in EssenFood & Drink in EssenConcerts & Live Music in EssenNightlife in EssenSports Events & Tickets in Essen

Popular venues in Essen

Essen travel guides

Planning around events? These guides collect 2026 calendars, festival clusters, and practical trip ideas so you can compare dates before you book.

Things to do in Berlin 2026Things to do in Munich 2026Oktoberfest 2026 & 2027 DatesLollapalooza Berlin 2026Garmisch Christmas Market 2026: Winter at the Park DatesGermany Christmas Villages and Small-Town Markets 2026Best festivals in Germany 2026Best cities to visit in Germany in 2026Things to Do in Hamburg 2026: Speicherstadt, Elbphilharmonie & the ReeperbahnThings to Do in Cologne 2026: The Cathedral & CarnivalThings to Do in Frankfurt 2026: Skyline, Römerberg & the MainThings to Do in Dresden 2026: Frauenkirche, Zwinger & the Striezelmarkt

Visiting Essen?

Plan your stay in Essen

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Getting to Essen

Accommodation options for Essen are listed above, alongside travel essentials for your trip.

About Essen

Essen is the de facto capital of Germany's Ruhr region, a former coal and steel city built by the Krupp dynasty and now recast as one of the country's greenest urban areas. Its Zollverein coal mine complex, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, anchors a city that also holds Lake Baldeney and the Museum Folkwang.

2026 guides

Planning around events? These guides collect 2026 calendars, festival clusters, and practical trip ideas so you can compare dates before you book.

Things to do in Berlin 2026Things to do in Munich 2026Oktoberfest 2026 & 2027 DatesLollapalooza Berlin 2026Garmisch Christmas Market 2026: Winter at the Park DatesGermany Christmas Villages and Small-Town Markets 2026Best festivals in Germany 2026Best cities to visit in Germany in 2026Things to Do in Hamburg 2026: Speicherstadt, Elbphilharmonie & the ReeperbahnThings to Do in Cologne 2026: The Cathedral & CarnivalThings to Do in Frankfurt 2026: Skyline, Römerberg & the MainThings to Do in Dresden 2026: Frauenkirche, Zwinger & the Striezelmarkt