Opening Hours

Thursday 18^th of June 2026
All Manifesta 16 Ruhr venues are open to press and invited Manifesta 16 Ruhr stakeholders from 13.00 – 18.00. Please note, this day is specifically reserved for members of the press.

Friday the 19th of June 2026 and Saturday the 20^th of June 2026
All Manifesta 16 Ruhr venues are open to press, Manifesta 16 Ruhr stakeholders and accredited professionals from 10.00 to 19.00.

As of the 21st of June 2026, everyone is welcome to visit Manifesta 16 Ruhr free of charge.

Access to venues

To access the Manifesta 16 Ruhr venues, accredited visitors are required to present the QR code on their accreditation pass at the door of each venue. We kindly ask visitors to download their accreditation pass, which includes a unique QR code, prior to your visit. This pass was sent to your email address through the platform Eventbuddy.

To find a place to stay during the Preview Days, or for a visit at a later point during the biennial, please consult our Accommodation Guide.

From the 21st of June onwards, Manifesta 16 Ruhr will be open to the public. Should you wish to extend your stay beyond the Preview Days, please find the programme for the Sunday after the opening below.

Manifesta 16's Opening Night takes place at the Ehrenhof at UNESCO World Heritage Zollverein and brings together artists, musicians and performers from across the Ruhr Area and former Manifesta host cities.

The programme features a large-scale bell composition by Dúo Barber-Palacios (Manifesta 16 Ruhr participants), alongside performances by the Ruhrkohle-Chor and Cute Community Circuit featuring Başak Merev, Jamalsrevenge, Justice, Kioomars Musayyebi, Mohammad Tamim and Orli. The night continues with energetic DJ sets by Kessler (Live) and Oda Haliti (Manifesta 14 Prishtina participant). Official Speeches will take place between 19.30–20.00.

Food and drinks will be available throughout the evening.

The Opening Night is free and open to all and does not require registration.

Where: Gelsenkirchener Straße 181, 45309 Essen
When: Guests are welcome from 18.00; the official programme takes place from 19.00–23.00.

For any questions regarding the Press Preview Days (18^th, 19^th and 20^th of June 2026), please email: press@manifesta.org.

In case of further questions about the Professional Preview Days (19^th and 20^th of June 2026), please contact: accreditation@manifesta.org.