What's happening in July 2025? - Events in the Ruhr region
July is going to be hot! 🔥
Open-air concerts, markets and festivals ensure the best atmosphere in the open air! And typical of the Ruhr area, industrial backdrops meet green nature and offer the best panorama for parties and district festivals. One thing is certain: July is for being outdoors - and you can do that in July in the Ruhr 2025! Let yourself be carried away by the unique open-air atmosphere in the Ruhr region and experience summer at its best! ☀️
The summer will not only be hot, but also queer! And you can find the best LGBTQI+ events in the city here.
Café Tür an Tür - Interkultureller & interreligiöser Dialog
If the summer weather makes you want to drive away but you can't yet, you can pick up a musical load of road-trippin' feeling here. The three musicians from the Dutch band Mooon want to "Surfin' with You". French band The Wow Signal are still a real insider's tip, but they're in exactly the same vein: surf rock combined with psychedelic & 60s vibes à la Beatles.
Geheimkonzert Dortmund | OPEN AIR EDITION ☀️ by Rausgegangen
For all those who want to do something "different", the KRÄMER distillery is the place to be in July. Under the open sky in the courtyard, "high culture music" paired with "high culture drink" promises all-round enjoyment. The Dortmund sister duo of cellist Anouchka and pianist Katharina Hack will be guests. The two return to their home country once a year and this time also have the Ukrainian composer Marina Baranova in their luggage. As a student, you can even continue your sensual education here for just €11.
Bochum Total
When BINGO is made big again, we want to be part of it. Especially when Sugar and Grabowski are at the bingo drum, entertainment is guaranteed - you shouldn't miss it! 😁 If you're worried about sitting too much at bingo on Saturday night, don't worry: there's an after-show party from 11 pm onwards where you can celebrate your bingo winnings or dance your frustration away.
Feierabendmarkt Hagen
Ski Aggu next to Fred Again next to Brutalism 3000 next to Jorja Smith? The mix sounds wild but convincing 😎and you can't go far wrong with JUST DORIS anyway.
Ruhr-in-Love
eldoradio* turns 25! The university radio station eldoradio* is celebrating its 25th anniversary and is doing so in style. Unlike mainstream stations, campus radios are free from commercial constraints, which allows the presenters to share their passion for music and thus also a few niche artists. Or you can also quickly become an early adapter: Campus radios, for example, have played a crucial role in the success of bands such as Nirvana, The Smiths, R.E.M. and Violent Femmes. With Figur Lemur & Sloe Noon, eldoradio* sets the stage for two up-and-coming musicians from the grunge scene. Afterwards, things get electronic again with the in-house DJ collective FLINTA*4Rave.
Kakteen- und Sukkulentenmarkt
Being able to say "I was there from the beginning" is a wish we all secretly harbor. At "Tunnelblick" you have the opportunity to do just that in the future & celebrate this very first edition of the rave series in its infancy. With Aljosha in the DJ line-up, a good mood is guaranteed, with pop culture references such as the Star Wars Cantina Band being played and remixed. Stollen1134 on 12.07. is the place to be for all those who dream of being underground!
LEA – Sommer 2025
Bunt oder Blau is a festival away from the mainstream, but all the more diverse for it. On Friday, the folk trio "Walking On Rivers" is even a local band whose fame has long since spread beyond the city limits. The three musicians captivate with polyphonic vocals and musically describe the longing that can overcome you in the Ruhr area. You can also look forward to psychedelic diso sounds from French band "BIENSÜRE" and indie pop from Cologne artist "Margo". "Colorful" is also the motto of the day on Saturday. Here you can headbang to the rock band Daily Thompson and then relax to the soulful and funky sounds of the "Secret Nights Gang". Later, "Riot but Cute" invite you to dance again, an indie band with emo influences, who also play a home game. There's something for everyone here!
Paula Hartmann • „kleine Feuer“ Open Airs 2025
This is where the 2024 festival gang of the German music scene meets. With artists such as Paula Hartmann and Mehnermoos, Juicy Beats is ideally positioned in the hip-hop sector. Seasoned artists Alligatoah and Cro will take us back to our teenage years. But indie is also very important at Juicy Beats: Edwin Rosen, Paula Carolina and Mayberg will be at the start. But everything in between and outside of that can also take to the stage, from Bibiza and Ritter Lean to Domiziana, Deki Alem and Ellice. If we haven't mentioned someone - they'll probably still be there.
Kneipenquiz on Tour in Recklinghausen
You shouldn't miss the tenth edition of the "Sommer am U" summer festival! From the beginning of June to the end of August, Dortmund's cultural center offers a colorful program of concerts, readings, DJ sets, film screenings and workshops. All events are free and take place outdoors. Our highlight in July is an evening with the singer-songwriter trio animat. The three musicians with a folky touch and string instruments in their luggage are masters at creating atmospheres. So enjoy a Sunday in a deckchair with a cold drink 🌞 and then let yourself be entertained by the DJ set from DJ Turtleneck & Friends with music from film & television 😁
Stone Techno Festival
The Stone Techno Festival also takes place at the UNESCO World Heritage Zollverein in a very special location - where raw industrial atmosphere meets real techno culture. It's not just a party, but a celebration of techno culture in all its diversity and real time - with international stars. 🔥
Street Food Picknick – Halde Tetraeder
Delicious food, cool beats and a mega view ☀️
Cleanup in Duisburg
Here we collect garbage to keep our nature and waters clean. All you need to bring is motivation, a good mood and weatherproof clothing.
International Summer Battle
The 'International Summer Battle' once again brings together urban dance cracks: Breaking, hip-hop and krump, fat beats and moves that simply sweep everyone away. Pure energy and battle feeling!
Provinz "Pazifik" • Open Airs 2025
Provinz bring a fresh sound and honest lyrics to the stage with their new album "Pazifik". If you like handmade indie pop with depth, you shouldn't miss their concert. ✨
SüdPol – Das Stadtteilfest im Dortmunder Süden (ehem. „Look at Lück“)
A Saturday full of life: Delicious food, happy children, music and community - SüdPol brings the neighborhood together. 🤝
“Ente gut, alles gut” - Flohmarkt am Umschlagplatz
Trödel with vibes - not only bargains, but also the perfect Sunday with music & drinks. 🍹
Ruhr Games 25
Four days full of action sports, urban art and live music - with Ski Aggu as the headliner to kick things off. An event that combines sport and culture! 🎭
DJ-Picknick auf dem Campus
60 years of Akafö - celebrated with beats, a good atmosphere and a relaxed picnic. Perfect for enjoying the summer on campus and dancing the night away together. 🪩
Sommerfestival Schloss Berge
A real Ruhr area classic highlight: music, fireworks, funfair, delicious food and a program for the whole family - this is where tradition meets festival vibes in the middle of the region's most beautiful park. ✨
Sport- und Fußball-Flohmarkt im SIGNAL IDUNA PARK
Jerseys, collector's items and lots of black and yellow passion await - a real experience for true fans! ⚽️
Queerfilmnacht: Drama Queens
"Drama Queens" tells of love, success and the price of authenticity in the music business - a powerful look behind the scenes and a loving homage to the wild pop world of the early 2000s.
JUICY BEATS Festival
Between the main stage and after parties: in addition to the awesome main acts, which are ALWAYS worth a visit: Check out the local stage, where Dortmund clubs and party collectives organize pop-ups or alternatively go wild at the Kopfhörerparty, the biggest silent disco in Germany. A legendary weekend is guaranteed here!🤘🏼🎵
CSD Duisburg 2025
Duisburg shows attitude - between steel and love. 🏳️🌈🔥
RIN & Schmyt • NO PHONES ALLOWED OPEN AIRS 2025
RIN & Schmyt bring their "No Phones Allowed" concept to Gelsenkirchen: Cell phones remain taboo so that music and emotions take center stage. A concert to truly experience - without any distractions. 💜
BINGO @ DIVINE BAR by Glitter&Pailletten
Bingo, but make it fabulous - between glitter, excitement and a good dose of queerness, every evening becomes a highlight here. 💕
Frequently asked questions about events in July 2025 in the Ruhr region:
1. are there any free events in the Ruhr area in July?
Of course! Many summer events don't cost you a penny admission. Whether it's a district festival in Essen, a wine evening with live music in Dortmund or a chilled open-air flea market - July is perfect for spontaneous summer evenings without a big budget. Did you know that you can set a filter on the website to search specifically for all free events in the Ruhr region? 👀
2. which cool festivals outside the Ruhr area should I not miss in July 2025?
In addition to the Sunset Beach Festival and Juicy Beats, there are many more festivals taking place in the Ruhr area in summer 2025! We have also put together a selection of the best music festivals in 2025 across Germany and Europe. 🥳
3. how spontaneously can I go to events in the Ruhr area in July?
Quite spontaneous! Many events - especially in summer - are accessible without advance booking or with a Box Office. Flea markets, street festivals or small concerts in the park often run without a ticket. For larger events, it's worth taking a look at our platform: we show you where tickets are still available - even last minute.
Want to make sure you don't miss out on any event highlights? Three ideas for getting out and about every day:
1. get our Rausgegangen app - so you have all the tips from the editorial team and the entire Dortmund cultural landscape at your fingertips anywhere and at any time!
2. create your free Rausgegangen account and put your favorites on the watch list, follow locations and subscribe to our weekly mail newsletter so that cool events fly into your mailbox!
3. follow us on Instagram and be the first to know what's going on in our city!
Let's go out together and experience beautiful things! 💜
