The area around the historic railway viaduct and the Town Hall Market is transformed into an artistic playground. Vacant railway arches are converted into art installations and communal urban spaces. A diverse range of art workshops and activities turn the public space into a place for creative encounters. The cycling highway running along the railway viaduct offers exciting viefs of the surrounding cityscape and its artistic staging.
Dates
24 May – 8 June 2025
Location
Railway Viaduct, Ruhrbrücke, Rathausmarkt, 45468 Mülheim an der Ruhr
Playground
Opening hours:
Tue - Sun 14:00 - 20:00 (CEST)
Grand Opening
24 May 2025, from 16:00 – Rathausmarkt, Mülheim an der Ruhr
For the grand opening in Mülheim, the City of Play invites you to a programme full of play, workshops, and music.
Opening speech and greetings from Mayor Markus Püll and Minister of Culture and Science of North Rhine-Westphalia, Ina Brandes.
DJ sets by Arne Bunjes (Themes for Great Cities) and Mario Schoo (Fundament Schallplatten)
Concert by the Mülheim-based musicians’ collective Nasssau, an eight-member band dedicated to free improvisation between Krautrock and ambient music
Climate game “Climate Casino” with Sebastian Quack; “Mülheim Unfold”, a interactive origami installation with Frank Bölter; and a “DIY Ping Pong"-workshop on designing table tennis paddles Markus Zimmermann.
City Talk “Understanding the City Playfully: Art and Play in Dialogue” & Public Dinner
25 May 2025, from 16:00 – Rathausmarkt, Mülheim an der Ruhr
Why are humans inherently playful? And how are art and play connected? Artists, curators, and scientists will explore the many facets of play and discuss its role in the process of understanding the world. Friedrich Schiller once said: “Man is only fully human where he plays.”
Guest panelists: Stefanie Klingemann (Curatorial Team, City of Play), Sebastian Quack (Artist, Game Designer), Sebastian Sowa (Sowatorini Ruhr), Prof. Dr. Jens Junge (Institute for Ludology)
Moderated by Annekathrin Kohout with an impulse from Jens Junge
The subsequent Playful Public Dinner invites attendees to enjoy a communal evening meal.
Midissage: New Circus “Über Brücken” & Inauguration of “FLUSS”
31 May 2025, from 16:00 – Rathausmarkt, Mülheim an der Ruhr
At the Midissage, the mural “FLUSS” by artists Maik & Dirk Löbbert will be inaugurated within the arches of the railway viaduct.
Under the slogan “Bridging Gaps,” the City of Play presents a diverse programme of the New Circus. Performances featuring juggling, parkour, freerunning, urban dance, and aerial artistry are playfully brought together in a “programme in motion.” It highlights the architecture of the railway viaduct with its vacant train arches and the adjacent Ruhr Bridge. Performances will take place at 17:00 and 20:00.
Among the artists are FLYGUYS, Benjamin Richter & Friends, Duo Süne & Thorsten, and unskrewd Ensemble.
DJ sets by Hermes Villena (King Georg / Frente Salsero)
“Mülheim Unfold”, an interactive origami installation with Frank Bölter
Workshop on designing table tennis paddles called “DIY Ping Pong” with Markus Zimmermann
"Free Play" – Jam Session
31 May 2025, 19:00 – 22:00 - Bahnviadukt, Mülheim an der Ruhr
Makroscope e.V. invites you to a jam session. For one evening, the vacant arches of the railway viaduct will be transformed into an open-air stage.
At 19:00, an opening act will perform. From 19:30 onwards, you are invited to join in, create new soundscapes, experiment, and most importantly: have fun!
Bring your own instruments! A backline with drums, amplifiers, and PA system is available – all you need to do is take care of the sound.
"Im Fluss – Sports Market"
1 June 2025, from 14:00 - Bahnviadukt, Mülheim an der Ruhr
Together with Makroscope e.V., the City of Play invites you to a colourful sports market in the vacant arches of the railway viaduct. Whether team sports, fitness, dance, or outdoor activities – there is something for everyone! Come and chat to local clubs and initiatives, try out different activities, and discover new movement opportunities for all ages.
Origami dance workshops “Unfolded Movement"
Children’s motor skills play workshop called “River and Stones – Games for Kids” with Alexandra Zimmer
Radio Residency & Creative Market
7 June 2025, from 16:00 - Bahnviadukt & Rathausmarkt, Mülheim an der Ruhr
The creative possibilities of the vacant arches of the railway viaduct are showcased at the Creative and Flea Market. There will be flea markets, arts and crafts, and a variety of creative displays.
At the same time, the Playground will be ringing out at Rathausmarkt. As part of the ongoing programme series of the “Radio Residency,” Düsseldorf’s online community radio station “Call Shop Radio” will present a diverse music programme.
Livestream via callshopradio.com
"City of Jazz" – A Sportive Jazz Adventure
7 June 2025, 14:00 – 17:00 hrs + Final Concert at 19:00 followed by a jazz bar
An exciting jazz workshop with Christina Zurhausen will take place at Makroscope.
All jazz enthusiasts with some playing experience, from beginners to advanced players are invited to participate. Singing and all instruments are welcome – including unconventional ones!
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Christina via email.
To register, please sign up at: c.zurhausen@posteo.de
Finissage
8 June 2025, from 16:00 - Rathausmarkt & Ruhrpromenade, Mülheim an der Ruhr
The programme in Mülheim concludes with a symbolic departure on the Ruhr. Artist Frank Bölter will set the previously participatively folded origami boat afloat and send it on its way down the Ruhr towards Duisburg.
The final evening will be spent together on the Ruhrpromenade at a long table. The public dinner invites everyone to enjoy a communal meal and socialise.
Participative origami installation “Mülheim Unfold” with Frank Bölter.
