Are you attending?
Event Details
Welcome to the Geschichtsfest Leverkusen 2027 in Leverkusen
Geschichtsfest Leverkusen 2027 traditionally takes place on Open Monument Day in and around Villa Römer – Haus der Stadtgeschichte in Leverkusen-Opladen. Since 2004 the Opladener Geschichtsverein von 1979 e. V. (OGV), together with the city’s lower monument authority and other partners, has organised this free festival of guided tours, city and bus excursions, exhibitions and music. Exact dates for 2027 have not been published yet; nationwide, Germany’s Open Monument Day 2027 falls on 12 September. Check geschichtsfest.de for official updates.
Highlights & Attractions at Geschichtsfest Leverkusen in Leverkusen
- Free admission to the festival programme around Villa Römer – Haus der Stadtgeschichte in Opladen (donations welcome).
- Guided city, bus and bike tours to monuments, infrastructure and local history sites across Leverkusen – advance registration is usually required.
- Guided tours of current special and permanent exhibitions in Villa Römer and of the city archive.
- Tied to Germany’s nationwide Open Monument Day, with a changing annual theme set by the Deutsche Stiftung Denkmalschutz.
- Musical framing (previous editions featured classical concerts and evening jazz).
- Marketplace of initiatives, cafeteria and encounters with history societies, monument conservation and local groups.
- Historic venue: Villa Römer, built in 1905, now the city’s house of local history with park grounds and a permanent exhibition on Leverkusen’s past.
Program & Schedule: What to Expect in 2027
The 2027 programme has not been published. The festival typically focuses on the second Sunday in September (Open Monument Day), with a morning opening, tours and guided visits through the day and an evening close. In 2026 (12–13 September) Mayor Stefan Hebbel opened the festival on Sunday at 9:30; the programme ran until about 20:30. The day before saw the opening of the special exhibition “Gewachsen. Geplant. Gelungen? – Urban development in Leverkusen” and a classical concert at Villa Römer.
Offerings usually include bus tours to selected monuments (e.g. Schloss Morsbroich and chapels), cycle routes, walks through industrial and villa districts, archive tours and exhibition tours. In 2026 the motto was “NetzWERKE: Denkmale und Infrastruktur” (Networks: Monuments & Infrastructure). The 2027 theme and exact tour times will be announced on geschichtsfest.de and via the OGV. Advance registration for tours and guided visits is standard.
Tickets & Admission for Geschichtsfest Leverkusen
Admission to Geschichtsfest Leverkusen is free. Donations to the Opladener Geschichtsverein and partners are welcome. Excursions, city tours and guided visits usually require registration via geschichtsfest.de (under “Aktuell”); in some earlier years a small fee was charged for bus tours with a guide – nothing is confirmed yet for 2027. Regular admission to Villa Römer exhibitions outside the festival day is typically 4 euro (opening hours often Saturday 15:00–18:00 and Sunday 11:00–16:00; subject to change). Do not buy third-party tickets for this free event; use only geschichtsfest.de and ogv-leverkusen.de for information and registration.
Visitor Tips: Travel & Accommodation in Leverkusen
- Getting there: Villa Römer, Haus-Vorster-Straße 6, 51379 Leverkusen-Opladen. Public transport: stops “Villa Römer”, “Wupperbrücke” or “Am Frankenberg” (lines including 206, 232, 244, 253, 255). By car via A1/A3/A59; parking in the Opladen area – arrive early on festival day.
- Weather and clothing: Mid-September in Leverkusen is often mild but changeable – layers, comfortable shoes for walking or cycling tours, and rain protection if needed.
- Where to stay: Hotels and guesthouses in Opladen, Wiesdorf and Schlebusch, or in the Cologne and Düsseldorf area; book early if travelling from further away, especially when Open Monument Day coincides with other events.
- On site: Check the programme PDF and registration links on geschichtsfest.de in good time. Tours can sell out. The permanent and special exhibitions at Villa Römer are worth visiting outside the festival as well.
- Explore further: Schloss Morsbroich, the Frankenberg area, the city archive and industrial heritage (including Bayer-related sites and the Bahnstadt Opladen) complement the festival. Follow only official OGV and geschichtsfest.de channels for 2027 dates and bookings.
Note: The information on this page was researched at the time of writing and may have changed since then (e.g. date, venue, or program). Visit the organizer's official website →
The photo used is illustrative and does not necessarily depict the actual event.
