In 2012, both residents and visitors will again have the opportunity to go on a late night shopping spree. On June 2nd and September 1st Bielefeld’s retailers will open their doors to welcome customers at the Midnight Shopping.

Three times a year the local retailers open their shops from 1 pm to 6 pm for a Sunday Shopping. The combination of shopping and entertainment is a special trademark of these events and attracts a lot of people from adjacent towns.

Contact: touristinfo@bielefeld-marketing.de

Encounter exciting exhibitions, fascinating installations and surprising performances by night. Discover Bielefeld’s cultural life in all its dazzling guises.

More then 35 museums, churches, galleries and other cultural institutions throw open their doors and invite visitors to join them on an atmospheric journey through the night.

Videoclip: Nachtansichten
Contact: touristinfo@bielefeld-marketing.de

The Hermannslauf – from the Hermannsdenkmal monument near Detmold to Sparrenburg Castle in Bielefeld – makes April 29th 2012 a running event for everyone. With an overall distance of 31.1 km, it has delighted an international field of runners every year for more than three decades, as well as thousands of spectators along the route full of natural beauty.

Information: www.hermannslauf.de

A nostalgia for classic cars, gleaming coachwork, dreams of mobility on four wheels: now in its 14th year, ”La Strada” sees vintage car enthusiasts from near and far gather in Bielefeld. From May 4th to 6th, elegance and technology, the glittering chrome of vintage vehicles, professional expertise, a variety of food and drink, and an attractive events programme will enchant visitors. Let yourself be captivated by spectacular walk acts, exciting music and visions on four wheels.

Contact: touristinfo@bielefeld-marketing.de

The Linen weaver Market is Bielefeld’s oldest street fair with the richest traditions. For three days at the end of every May, the city centre of Bielefeld transforms itself into an open air stage. Visitors from the region and far away enjoy an entertaining mix of street theatre, cabaret, folklore, jazz, rock and other shows – and all for free. The nostalgic hustle and bustle of a fairground and activities for children are ideal complements to the staged events.

Videoclip: Leineweber-Markt
Contact: touristinfo@bielefeld-marketing.de

A small miracle of joie de vivre, an international festival celebrating multi-culturalism, a parade of masks, costumes, and fantastic installations: the Carnival of Cultures symbolises all this.

It unites all generations, with around 2,000 participants and 70 groups from across the world annually performing to as many as 100,000 spectators – a stimulation of the senses, an unlimited array of colours, rhythms and moving images.

Information: www.carnival-bielefeld.de

Experts from around the world lead amateur and professional dancers. The Bielefeld Dance Festival offers dance classes and the realisation of individual choreographies in addition to four performances by modern dance companies. The choice of ensembles is testament to the impressive variety in international contemporary dance.

Information: www.tanzfestival-bielefeld.de

Medieval hustle and bustle with the backdrop of historic Sparrenburg Castle, Bielefeld’s favourite visitor destination. Every July, a wild troupe of magicians, storytellers, traders and vagrants bring to life the times of preachers selling indulgences, of minstrels and the Black Death, and of wanton high spirits. Hawkers, peddlers and craftsmen dominate the medieval market with their wares.

Special Offer: Castle Spectacular Package
Videoclip: Sparrenburgfest
Contact: touristinfo@bielefeld-marketing.de

There are no vineyards in the Teutoburg Forest and the region is not renowned for wines. In atmospheric surroundings right in Bielefeld’s ”front room”, the Alter Markt, and at Niedernstraße and Altstädter Kirchplatz, tastings of a multitude of wines from Germany’s wine growing regions are held.

Videoclip: Weinmarkt
Contact: touristinfo@bielefeld-marketing.de

In September Bielefeld’s urban motorway, the Stadtautobahn, with its total length of more than 8km, is the setting for a special sports event. On the ”Stadtwerke run & roll day”, the multi-lane Ostwestfalendamm is closed to all vehicles and open instead to runners, skaters, walkers and wheelchair users. The programme of events has a variety of competitions for runners and skaters. An event for professional and amateur sports enthusiasts alike.

Videoclip: Run & Roll Day
Contact: touristinfo@bielefeld-marketing.de

A traditional autumn highlight in the events calendar of East Westfalia: The Bielefeld Oktoberfest, now in its 15th year. The Seidensticker Halle again opens its doors to a favourite festival. The Oktoberfest promises an authentic beer tent atmosphere with genuine Bavarian brass band music and the latest hits. Here is your chance - get your dirndls and lederhosen on and enjoy super fun, Bavarian delicacies and a proper litre of beer.

Contact: touristinfo@bielefeld-marketing.de

Bielefeld’s Christmas Market is always a favourite destination. Enjoy the advent atmosphere with its aroma of gingerbread, mulled wine and numerous other Christmas treats. The colourful and varied choice of shops within the pedestrian precincts offers an ideal combination of presents, crafts and culinary delicacies, while a programme of choir singing and concerts evokes the spirit of Christmas.

Special Offer: Christmas-Package
Videoclip: Christmas Market
Contact: touristinfo@bielefeld-marketing.de