Calendar

From robots, coffee machines and furniture to a gyrocopter hanging from the ceiling: over five floors and a good 4,000 square meters, the museum exclusively presents products that have been awarded by an international jury of experts in one of the world’s largest design competitions – the Red Dot Design Award. Thematic special exhibitions complement the inspiring insight into the world of design.

Founded in 2002 and at home in the former pithead bath at Shaft 1/2/8, PACT Zollverein sees itself as an initiator, driving force, and stage for ground-breaking developments in the fields of dance, performance, theatre, media, and visual arts.

Three programmatic lines characterise the work of the institution, which contributes on a regional, national, and international level to the localisation and appreciation of dance and performance as art forms in their own right: PACT Zollverein creates a space for concentrated production processes within the framework of the ‚Residenzprogramm,‘ which is open to artists from all over the world. The ‚Plattformen‘ section initiates the interdisciplinary exchange between artists, scientists, and students as well as the critical questioning of their methods and results. A third focus is on a top-class stage programme comprising world premieres, co-productions, and guest performances.

In her series of photographs entitled „In Between“, photographer Jiaying Yu explores the feelings and living conditions of young Chinese women who, like her, have come to Germany to study. To this end, she combines portraits with detailed photographs of their flats.

The exhibition is part of the series „Aktuelle Fotografie im Ruhrgebiet. Pixelprojekt auf Zollverein“. The joint exhibition series organised by the Zollverein Foundation and Pixelprojekt_Ruhrgebiet focuses on contemporary positions and Ruhr area themes in the broadest sense. The works are selected by a jury made up of representatives from the Museum Folkwang, the Folkwang University of the Arts, the Ruhr Museum and the Krupp Historical Archive.

Unique ice rink amidst spectacular industrial architecture: ice skating fans can once again look forward to the wonderful Zollverein Ice Rink against the impressive industrial backdrop of the Zollverein coking plant in winter 2025/2026.

The ice rink stretches 150 metres along the imposing coke ovens and chimneys of the Zollverein coking plant. In the evening, an installation bathes it in atmospheric light and cosy stands offer refreshments with hot drinks and snacks.

ART. NEW. VISIONARY! In addition to the main themes of light and video art, installation and photography, the spring edition of C.A.R. is dedicated to visionary art projects in the fields of 3D printing, virtual reality art, animation and net art. New in 2026: urban art & mixed media.

In just a few years, contemporary art ruhr (C.A.R.) and the two annual fairs held at the Zollverein World Heritage Site – PHOTO/MEDIA ART FAIR in the spring and INNOVATIVE ART FAIR for all areas of contemporary art in the fall – have become a successful fair for contemporary art with national and international appeal.

During the NRW Easter holidays in 2026 the former central workshop of the Zollverein Coal Mine Industrial Complex will once again be transformed into the large, glittering Zollverein Roller Skating Rink.

On over 600 square meters in the midst of the unique industrial architecture of today’s Hall 5, everyone from inexperienced beginners to advanced skaters to full professionals can get rolling. In addition to the daily skating times, there are special offers on some evenings, such as the SkateJam workshops or the SkateJam roller disco.

Goodbye winter, hello spring! Operations at the „most beautiful coal mine in the world“ have long since picked up speed again in recent months, but now the official starting signal has been given for a very special year full of exhibitions, festivals, concerts and much more – because in 2026 we will be celebrating 25 years of Zollverein World Heritage Site!

To mark the occasion, there are many free offers at the Ruhr Museum, the Monument Trail, the Mitmachzeche, PACT Zollverein and many other locations at the UNESCO World Heritage Site. Catering will be provided by the Zollverein restaurants and a food truck.

In his photographic work „Gelb ist Geschichte!“ (Yellow is History!), Alexander Lackmann addresses the issue of drug addiction in Germany, showing us not only those affected, but also substitution treatment facilities and drug consumption rooms where substances brought in by users may be consumed under professional supervision.

The exhibition is part of the series „Aktuelle Fotografie im Ruhrgebiet. Pixelprojekt auf Zollverein“. The joint exhibition series organised by the Zollverein Foundation and Pixelprojekt_Ruhrgebiet focuses on contemporary positions and Ruhr area themes in the broadest sense. The works are selected by a jury made up of representatives from the Museum Folkwang, the Folkwang University of the Arts, the Ruhr Museum and the Krupp Historical Archive.

The SchmuckProdukt workshop and gallery has been organising the „Handverlesen“ design market twice a year since 2004. The cooperative of various designers offers high-quality, innovative products suitable for everyday use from the fields of product design, jewellery design, painting, ceramics, fashion and much more in an appealing atmosphere. Catering is also provided during the design market. Visitors are cordially invited to stroll around the market, take a look at the exhibits and make a purchase.

Every last Saturday in June, Zollverein puts in an extra shift and celebrates the Night of Industrial Culture together with many other exciting locations in the Ruhr Metropolis. Visitors can expect a varied programme of guided tours, exhibitions, stage shows, walking acts and performances, as well as art installations and hands-on activities against the unique backdrop of Zollverein.

ExtraSchicht has been putting the Ruhr Metropolis in the spotlight on the last Saturday in June since 2001. The cultural festival was born out of the idea of making the region’s industrial cultural heritage visible and specifically networking it.

Swimming fun in a work of art: during the NRW summer holidays, the Works Swimming Pool offers the opportunity to swim amid the industrial heritage backdrop of the coking plant every day from 12 noon to 8 p.m. Where coal used to be baked into coke, two welded-together shipping containers are now the summer meeting place in the north of Essen. Admission to the swimming pool is free. The 2.40-metre-deep pool is only suitable for swimmers, and a lifeguard is on duty.

In 2001, Frankfurt artists Dirk Paschke and Daniel Milohnic created the Works Swimming Pool as part of the art project „Zeitgenössische Kunst und Kritik” (Contemporary Art and Criticism). Since then, the 12×5-metre pool, framed by impressive industrial architecture, has symbolised the structural change in the Ruhr area.

In 2026, the third year of Belgian director Ivo Van Hove’s tenure, the Ruhrtriennale will once again invite national and international artists to perform in the former industrial halls, machine houses, coking plants and slag heaps of the Ruhr metropolis in Bochum, Duisburg, Essen and Gladbeck. The renowned arts festival will also return to Zollverein.

As in previous years, the motto of the Zollverein World Heritage Run is: Taking part is all that counts! All races lead along the impressive architecture of the industrial monument: along the Circular Walk, past the Twin Pithead Frame, the SANAA Building, across the Zollverein Spoil Tip, and the former Shaft 1/2/8. Start and finish are located on the premises of RAG Montan Immobilien GmbH at the Zollverein Coking Plant. The International Competition Rules of the German Athletics Federation (DLV) and the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) apply.

On 26 and 27 September 2026, the advertising associations of District VI – Zollverein, in cooperation with Zollverein Foundation are inviting to the Zechenfest at the World Heritage Site. More than 50 events on several stages ensure excellent entertainment.

The organizers again expect well over 30,000 visitors to Zollverein Shaft XII. Where fathers, grandfathers, and great-grandfathers once worked hard, a weekend is spent celebrating, dancing, and laughing. With a lot of creativity and in good cooperation, the three advertising associations from Katernberg, Schonnebeck, and Stoppenberg, together with Zollverein Foundation, are putting together a varied programme in keeping with the motto „Tradition with a future“.

For children and the whole family, Zollverein Foundation and the Ruhr Museum offer many exciting hands-on activities on the „Türöffnertag“ (Door opener day) of the „Sendung mit der Maus“ (TV series for children called Mouse TV outside of Germany). For an entire day, a free, varied programme awaits all fans of the Mouse aged five and over at the Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site.

With numerous literary events, the tenth lit.RUHR brings renowned German and international artists to the Ruhr region. Many events from the varied program for literature fans of all ages will once again take place in the impressive halls at the Zollverein UNESCO World Heritage Site.