Heidelberg

Carambolage - The Cabaret and Comedy Festival

At the Carambolage Festival, the full range of variety arts, cabaret, and comedy collide, from humorous vocal pop to bitterly wicked satire and charmingly witty poetry.
Every year from January, big names as well as discoverable young talents grace the Karlstorbahnhof. So the festival has been reliably causing stomach muscle cramps during the winter fattening period since 2003.

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Klaus Staeck – Paper Archive Cave

With the exhibition ‘Klaus Staeck – Papierarchiv Höhle’ (Klaus Staeck – Paper Archive Cave), the City of Heidelberg and the Reichspräsident-Friedrich-Ebert-Gedenkstätte Foundation are honouring the work of Klaus Staeck from 30 January to 26 April 2026.

Friedrich Ebert Haus, Pfaffengasse 18, 69117 Heidelberg

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Heidelberg Spring - Music Festival

The Heidelberg Music Festival offers 85 top-class events at various venues, including the new Congress Center. One highlight is Igor Levit's performance of all five Prokofiev piano concertos with the Budapest Festival Orchestra under Iván Fischer. Renowned artists and ensembles such as Rolando Villazón, Isabelle Faust and the London Symphony Orchestra will perform. Young talents present 16 concerts of their own, including ten free re:start concerts. The program also includes family formats, artist talks and lounges, while the festival center in the New University serves as a meeting place.

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Heidelberg "Stückemarkt" (Theaterplays)

For 10 days in spring, the Festival for new German-language drama has been presenting the avant-garde of theater since 1984: new plays are read and outstanding world premieres from German-speaking countries are invited to guest performances. Social discourses are initiated and aesthetic tendencies of our theater landscape are reflected.

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Icons of fashion - foto exhibition

Regina Relang is regarded as one of the most significant fashion photographers of the post-war era. In the 1950s and 1960s, she documented haute couture in Paris, including the collections of Christian Dior, Pierre Cardin and Yves Saint Laurent. The exhibition presents around 80 outstanding photographs that offer fascinating perspectives on the ‘icons of fashion’. This stylish journey through the decades is complemented by period accessories.

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Kurpfälzis hes Museum Heidelberg, Hauptstr. 97

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Heidelberg Castle Festival (Theater)

Heidelberg's castle ruins are not only considered the most visited in Germany. It is also home to the venues of the Heidelberg Theater and Orchestra: the Castle Courtyard, the Thick Tower and the English Building. In summer, they form the backdrop for productions of all genres and festive concerts as part of the Heidelberg Castle Festival.

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Heidelberger Frühling Liedfestival

In a summery atmosphere, the Heidelberger Frühling Liedfestival immerses you in the Lied and all its diversity. The genre is creatively rethought and presented in a wide variety of experimental and unconventional formats. There are guest performances, but also numerous in-house productions by the Lied Centre such as the Lied.LABs.  In addition, the Lied Academy's year-round support programme under the artistic direction of Thomas Hampson will carry out its final work phase of the season during the festival - with public masterclasses in front of an audience and concerts by the current scholarship holders.

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ADAC Heidelberg Historic

When memories of times long past come to mind, exuberance and a celebratory mood are in the air, and old and young alike stand at the side of the road with shining eyes, over 180 classic cars take on a reliability test of a special kind:

The ADAC Heidelberg Historic leads through Kraichgau, Odenwald, Bauland and Zabergäu, thrilling teams and spectators alike. A FIVA International Event and first choice for car lovers! Exclusive vehicles, charming landscapes, unique atmosphere - that's what the ADAC Heidelberg Historic has stood for for over a quarter of a century.

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Heidelberg Castle Illuminations

Bengal lights slowly bathe Heidelberg Castle in a mysterious red glow of fire. As if the ruin were burning for yet another time in its long history. Like the last time in 1689 and 1693, when the troops of the Sun King Louis XIV burned down the castle and the city, leaving behind the now world-famous ruins.

When the glowing castle slowly fades, the second part of the spectacle begins - the brilliant fireworks over the Neckar River. In 1613, Elector Frederick V had fireworks staged to greet his newly wedded wife Elizabeth Stuart in a manner befitting her rank. This fireworks display laid the foundation for the later light shows over Heidelberg's night sky.

Dates: 18 July / 05 September 2026

Tip: The Nepomuk Terrace, the banks of the Neckar River and the Philosophenweg are the best locations to admire the castle illumination from 10:15 pm.

Summer at the river Heidelberg

Every year in August, the event "Summer on the River" takes place. On two days, the federal road B37 between the Old Bridge and the Neckar River below the City Hall becomes a promenade.

Visitors can expect, among other things, two stages with live music at the Alte Brücke and at the Heuscheuer (Marstall), a children's program and a gastronomic offer.

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Old Town Festival "Heidelberg Autumn"

The multi-faceted city festival includes an arts and crafts market along the main street, the popular flea market in the small alleys of the old town and on the banks of the Neckar, as well as stalls selling regional specialties.

On almost all public places musical maintenance of most diverse kind is offered.

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Heidelberg Wine Village

The Heidelberg Wine Festival offers the ideal opportunity to get to know Heidelberg's culinary delights in addition to the city's sights. In the heart of the old town on Karlsplatz and the castle, enjoy a choice selection of wines and the varied regional cuisine with musical accompaniment. Immerse yourself in the unique flair of history, tradition and romance in a convivial atmosphere.

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"Enjoy Jazz" Festival

Whenever the nights get longer, ENJOY JAZZ, the international festival for "jazz and other things", brings exciting new music to Mannheim and Heidelberg. The secret of its success: it is a lively festival that celebrates the joy of enjoying music. The top-class festival programme constantly explores the boundaries of the genre and has made ENJOY JAZZ one of the most important jazz festivals in the world.

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Heidelberg Christmas Market

Every year, at 5.00 pm, on the last Wednesday in November, the Christ child solemny opens the Christmas Market at the marketplace.

Over 140 stands at Heidelberg's large and small places, offer an endless variety of what makes the season so special. 

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Heidelberg Winter Woods

At the Heidelberg Winterwäldchen on Kornmarkt, illuminated fir trees and pagoda tents enchant visitors. The event continues beyond Christmas until New Year's Day; the stalls are closed on Christmas Eve.

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Heidelberg Ice Rink at "Karlsplatz"

One of the most beautiful open-air ice rinks in Germany is set up on Karlsplatz in Heidelberg's Old Town. With Christmas music playing, locals and guests glide across the ice against the romantic backdrop of the world-famous castle.

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