The Ruhr region is celebrating ExtraShift
On June 27, 2026, the Ruhr region transformed into a luminous stage for transformation. Forty venues in 18 cities opened their halls, parks, and neighborhoods for the 24th edition of ExtraSchicht (Extra Shift). Between 6 p.m. and 2 a.m., the venues welcomed over 100.000 people who discovered what the region stands for – change, creativity, and community. Due to the extreme heat and the associated challenges, the number of visitors was significantly lower than in previous years. However, this did not detract from the atmosphere of the night.
On this warm summer night, the essence of the ExtraSchicht event became clear once again: encounters. People who would otherwise never have met shared paths, impressions, and stopovers – in the shuttle bus, on bikes, or beneath a glowing mine shaft tower. Between industrial walls and stage lights, that special moment of closeness arose, the very thing that continually unites the Ruhr region.
“This night represents what only the Ruhr region does so well: connecting the past and the future,” says Axel Biermann, CEO of Ruhr Tourismus GmbH. “Here, change doesn’t just happen – it’s lived.”
From evening onwards, the historic venues filled with music, voices, and excitement. In Oberhausen, the theater opened not only its stage but also its interior. Workshops, prop storage, and rehearsal rooms became part of the event, while outside, video projections bathed the building in changing light and dance performances captivated the audience.
Highlights on the Industrial Heritage Route
At Zollverein, the UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated its 25th anniversary. Under the title "GLOW! – think about the future," the grounds were transformed into a sprawling landscape of light, sound, and movement. New circus acts, mapping, and music combined to create a performance that demonstrated how closely intertwined the past and future are. The double headframe itself became a luminous sculpture.
Perhaps the loudest heartbeat of the night came from the Duisburg-Nord Landscape Park. Beneath the blast furnaces , Flic Flac staged spectacular stunts, while in the power plant, sound art and video projections created hypnotic moments, and the captivating Polish band Somethingski Trio provided the grand finale on the stage at Kirschhain.
Photo competition extends the night
As soon as the lights of the ExtraShift go out, its second chapter begins:
The annual photo competition, which captures the impressions of the night in pictures, starts on June 29, 2026. Perspectives that capture the special atmosphere of these hours are sought. Submissions are possible from June 29 to July 5, 2026. Information and upload options can be found at [website address missing]. www.extraschicht.de/info/fotowettbewerb
SAVE THE DATE: The 25th ExtraShift will take place on June 26, 2027.
Photo: RTG/ Julius Gnoth – ExtraSchicht 2026 Landschaftspark Duisburg-Nord