Düsseldorf is one of Germany’s arts and culture hubs. Elector
Jan Wellem and his wife
Anna Maria Luisa de' Medici of Tuscany, were patrons of Düsseldorf's first significant cultural activities in the 17th and 18th centuries. In addition to the large
North Rhine-Westphalia Art Collection and other museums and galleries, the city is home to the renowned
Düsseldorf Art Academy, which produced the
Düsseldorf School of Painting in the 19th century and the Düsseldorf School of Photography in the 20th century. Well-known stages such as the
Schauspielhaus and the
Kom(m)ödchen are represented in the city. Moreover, several of Germany’s popular musicians and poets were born in Düsseldorf or made the city their home.
Heinrich Heine; Clara and
Robert Schumann;
Felix Mendelssohn, and
Joseph Beuys are among the most prominent artists related to the city.
Museums and galleries – K21 (Ständehaus) Düsseldorf is a centre for visual arts, with a long tradition rooted in the
Kunstakademie Düsseldorf (Düsseldorf Art Academy), an institution that has shaped several major European art movements, such as the
Düsseldorf School of Painting in the 19th century. During the post-war period the academy became internationally influential through the Düsseldorf School of Photography, associated with figures such as
Bernd and Hilla Becher,
Andreas Gursky,
Thomas Struth, and
Candida Höfer. The city hosts numerous museums and galleries covering a broad range of artistic disciplines. The
Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen (K20 and K21) displays an extensive collection of modern and contemporary art, including works by
Pablo Picasso,
Paul Klee,
Gerhard Richter, and
Joseph Beuys. The
Museum Kunstpalast, located near the Rhine, houses artworks from the medieval period to the present day and is known for its collection of
Baroque painting and
glass art. Several smaller institutions contribute to Düsseldorf’s cultural landscape, including the
NRW Forum, which focuses on photography, design, and digital culture, and the
Kunst im Tunnel (KIT), which exhibits contemporary art in a tunnel space beneath the Rhine promenade. The , dedicated to ceramics, and the , located in
Schloss Jägerhof, further reflect the city’s diverse museum scene. In addition to visual arts, Düsseldorf maintains a variety of museums that cover science, history, and regional culture. The showcases the history of film and cinema technology, including equipment and screenings of classic films. The
Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum combines zoological exhibits with natural history, featuring local and exotic animal species alongside ecological and environmental displays. The provides an overview of the city's history and culture, displaying artifacts ranging from prehistory to contemporary times. The presents the history and development of North Rhine-Westphalia, highlighting themes such as democracy, diversity, and societal change. Additionally, the documents the city’s maritime history and its development as a major Rhine port.
Performing arts Düsseldorf has a theatre tradition that can be traced back to the 16th century. The earliest theatrical events are dated to the year 1585. The present
Düsseldorfer Schauspielhaus, with its modern curved architecture, was completed in 1970 and is the city's largest theatre. It is located on
Gustaf-Gründgens-Platz, named after the former artistic director. Other major theatres in the North Rhine-Westphalian metropolis include the
Forum Freies Theater, which presents performing arts; the
Komödie Düsseldorf, a classic
boulevard theatre; the
Theater an der Kö, which primarily offers comedies and modern plays and is run by the well-known Heinersdorff theatre family; the
Theater an der Luegallee in
Oberkassel; the
KaBARett FLiN in Grafenberg; and the Savoy Theatre. For children, the
Theateratelier Takelgarn—with comedy, cabaret, puppetry, and children’s theatre—is particularly appealing. The Puppet Theatre on Helmholtzstraße, as well as the Düsseldorf
Marionette Theatre, caters to both children and adults. The latter was founded in 1956 and is located in Palais Wittgenstein, which also houses various other cultural projects.
Opera, musical theatre, and variety The
Deutsche Oper am Rhein also has a very long tradition. At its two venues in Düsseldorf and Duisburg, it presents opera, operetta, and ballet. The Apollo Varieté, located beneath the
Rheinknie Bridge on the Carlstadt riverbank, offers classic variety theatre in the style of the early 20th century. The
Tonhalle Düsseldorf, built in 1925 as a planetarium, is a venue for concerts and other musical events spanning classical music, jazz, pop, and cabaret. The
Capitol Theater is the largest theatre in the state capital and hosts changing productions of musicals and live entertainment.
Cabaret The
Kom(m)ödchen is the oldest cabaret stage in Germany still in existence. It was founded in 1946 by Kay and
Lore Lorentz. Many cabaret artists who later became prominent first proved themselves here.
Tanzhaus NRW Tanzhaus NRW (stylized as
tanzhaus nrw) in Düsseldorf is an institution for dance founded in 1998. It offers stage performances, professional dance training, the development of productions within the framework of choreographer residencies, as well as a wide range of educational opportunities through courses and workshops under one roof.
Music , a pioneering electronic music band from Düsseldorf Düsseldorf has been home to a number of influential music artists and bands, particularly in the
electronic and
krautrock genres, with
Kraftwerk being the most prominent example. As one source describes, "This is the place where
Neu! conceived the motorik beat,
Harmonia dreamed up ambient,
Die Krupps expanded the idea of industrial, and where those brilliant mensch-maschines Kraftwerk, declared: 'We are the robots'." The city's best-known contribution to the culture of modern
popular music is the influential avant-garde
electronic band
Kraftwerk. Formed by two Düsseldorf-born musicians,
Kraftwerk is internationally known as the most significant band in the history of
post-war German music and as pioneers in electronic music. Other influential musical groups originating from Düsseldorf include
Neu!, formed in 1971 by
Klaus Dinger and
Michael Rother, after their split from Kraftwerk, and
La Düsseldorf, also formed by Dinger in 1976 shortly after Neu! disbanded. Both groups had a significant influence on a variety of subsequent
rock,
post-punk, and
electronic music artists. Internationally known
power metal band
Warlock was formed in Düsseldorf in 1982. Its frontwoman,
Doro Pesch, has had a successful solo career in Europe and Asia since
Warlock ended. The
punk band Die Toten Hosen, the electronic act
D.A.F., as well as the electronic/industrial pioneers
Die Krupps, all originated in Düsseldorf. Düsseldorf appears in several songs, including
Düsseldorf by the British indie band
Teleman and
Wärst du doch in Düsseldorf geblieben by Danish singer
Dorthe Kollo. The city hosted the
Eurovision Song Contest 2011.
Literature was born in Düsseldorf in 1797. Düsseldorf has a long literary tradition that reflects its role as a cultural centre of the
Rhineland. The city is associated with the
Romantic poet
Heinrich Heine, who was born in Düsseldorf in 1797 and spent his childhood there. The preserves his manuscripts and correspondence, and also functions as a research centre and museum dedicated to 19th- and 20th-century
German literature. Contemporary literary life in the city is supported by the Literaturbüro NRW, which organises readings, workshops and projects to promote authors and literary education across Düsseldorf and North Rhine-Westphalia. The annual Literaturtage Düsseldorf (Düsseldorf Literature Days) presents a programme of readings and events at venues across the city. In addition, the Central Library Düsseldorf regularly hosts author readings and cultural programmes, strengthening the city's reputation as a hub for literary exchange. The
Förderpreis für Literatur der Landeshauptstadt Düsseldorf is a German
literary award established by the City of Düsseldorf. The award has been presented annually since 1972 by the City Council.
Fashion Düsseldorf has been the
fashion capital of Germany
for decades; it is also a major cultural centre for the art scene. Berlin, Germany's 'fashion capital' until 1945, lost its position because of its
special location within the
Soviet occupation zone. After the
monetary reform of 20 June 1948, fashionable clothes trends gained importance.
Igedo organised fashion shows staged in Düsseldorf starting in March 1949. There are a number of schools dedicated to fashion design in Düsseldorf, among them
Akademie Mode & Design (
de),
Design Department, and
Mode Design College.
Carnival One of the biggest cultural events in Düsseldorf is the
Karneval (also referred to as the "fifth season") which starts every year on 11 November at 11:11 a.m., and reaches its climax on
Rosenmontag (Rose Monday), featuring a huge parade through the streets of Düsseldorf.
Karneval ends on
Aschermittwoch (
Ash Wednesday).
Düsseldorf's cartwheeler Düsseldorf's cartwheeler () is said to be the city's oldest tradition. There are different theories about its origin. The cartwheeler symbol appears on souvenirs, and many things in Düsseldorf owe their names to the cartwheeler. Cartwheelers can be found at several fountains within the city and near many small landmarks. The most famous is Cartwheeler's Fountain on
Burgplatz (
de). The fountain was designed by Alfred Zschorsch in 1954 and donated by
Heimatverein Düsseldorfer Jonges, which is a club devoted to the maintenance of local and regional traditions. Other cartwheelers can be found decorating storm drains and the
door knocker of the Church of Lambertus, designed by Friedrich Becker. Becker also created the cartwheeler in front of the Schadow Arcades. The tradition has been kept alive by the
Alde Düsseldorfer Bürgergesellschaft von 1920 e. V., a society founded in 1920, which organised the first cartwheeler competition on 17 October 1937. This event has been held annually since 1971. Formerly held on
Königsallee, since 2006 it has taken place on the
Rheinwerft, near the Old Town. In an art project
Radschläger-Kunst (Cartwheeler Art) launched in 2001, over 100 cartwheeler sculptures were designed by various artists. They were positioned around the city centre. Some of the sculptures have been auctioned off to companies and private owners.
Cuisine , "Heaven and Earth" Traditional meals in the region are Rheinischer
Sauerbraten (a beef roast and sometimes horse marinated for a few days in vinegar and spices served with gravy and raisins) and
Heaven and Earth (Himmel und Äd;
black pudding with stewed apples mixed with
mashed potatoes). In winter the people like to eat Muscheln Rheinischer Art (Rhenish-style mussels) as well as
Reibekuchen which is a fried potato pancake served with apple sauce. Düsseldorf is known for its strong
Dijon-like
mustard served in a traditional pot called "Mostertpöttche", which was immortalised in a
still life by
Vincent van Gogh in 1884. Therefore, also among the local dishes is the Düsseldorfer Senfrostbraten, including medium rare steaks roasted with Düsseldorf mustard and onion crust. Sides may include roast potatoes and a small salad in a restaurant, making this local dish a menu staple where upscale cuisine is served. Düsseldorf's Old Town has over 250 pubs and bars, often serving Altbier in a 0.25-liter glass. Düsseldorf Altbier is top-fermented beer of spicy aroma. Düsseldorf is noted for its diverse culinary scene. It hosts a large
Japanese community, which has contributed to a strong presence of authentic
Asian cuisine. Düsseldorf’s gastronomy has been recognised by the travel guide
Lonely Planet for its quality and variety. In addition to a wide range of international dining options, the city is home to several
Michelin-starred restaurants. Local specialties include:
Halve Hahn – this dish is made from a half a double rye roll, which is another of the specialties of Düsseldorf, buttered, with a thick slice of aged Gouda cheese, onions, mustard, ground paprika and sour pickles.
Himmel un Aad – a dish of mashed potatoes and apples along with slices of blutwurst. Caramelized onions are usually served with this meal.
Reibekuchen is another famous dish from Düsseldorf; this dish is usually drizzled with Rübensyrup (beet syrup) and is served on pumpernickel slices along with applesauce.
Beer , a traditional top-fermented beer typical of Düsseldorf. Düsseldorf is well known for its
Altbier, a hoppy beer which translates as
old [style] beer, a reference to the pre-
lager brewing method of using a warm
top-fermenting yeast like British pale ales. Over time the Alt yeast adjusted to lower temperatures, and the Alt brewers would store or lager the beer after fermentation, leading to a cleaner, crisper beer. The name "altbier" first appeared in the 19th century to differentiate the beers of Düsseldorf from the new
pale lager that was gaining a hold on Germany. Brewers in Düsseldorf used the pale malts that were used for the modern pale lagers, but retained the old ("alt") method of using warm fermenting yeasts. The first brewery to use the name Alt was Schumacher, which opened in 1838. The founder, Mathias Schumacher, allowed the beer to mature in cool conditions in wooden casks for longer than normal, and laid the foundation for the modern alt – amber coloured and lagered. The result is a pale beer that has some of the lean dryness of a lager but with fruity notes as well. There are five brewpubs in Düsseldorf that brew Altbier on site: , Schumacher, , , and Brauerei Kürzer. Four of the five are in the historic centre (Altstadt); the fifth, Schumacher, lies between the Altstadt and
Düsseldorf Hauptbahnhof, but also maintains an establishment in the Altstadt () across the street from . Each (except Brauerei Kürzer) produces a special, secret, seasonal "Sticke" version in small quantities, though the names vary: Schlüssel spells it "Stike", without the "c", while Schumacher calls its special beer "Latzenbier", meaning "slat beer", possibly because the kegs from which it was poured had been stored on raised shelves. Füchschen's seasonal is its Weihnachtsbier (Christmas beer), available in bottles starting mid-November, and served in the brewpub on
Christmas Eve.
Christmas market Every
Christmas, the city of Düsseldorf uses the city centre to host one of the largest Christmas gatherings in Germany. The Christmas festival occurs every year from 17 November until 23 December. This Christmas festival is responsible for a large portion of tourism every year as many people from nearby areas come to the city to drink
mulled wine and hot chocolate and watch craftsmen
blow glass and create art. The event takes place among many small wooden buildings all clustered in the middle of the city for all the citizens to enjoy. The event, to many visitors, has an old European feel, but is very lively.
Rivalry with Cologne Düsseldorf and
Cologne have had a "fierce regional rivalry". The rivalry includes
carnival parades,
football,
ice hockey and
beer. People in Cologne prefer
Kölsch while people in Düsseldorf prefer
Altbier. Some Waiters and patrons will "scorn" and make a "mockery" of people who order Alt beer in Cologne and Kölsch in Düsseldorf. The rivalry has been described as a "love-hate relationship". ==Cityscape==