Nightwalking brings 25,000 visitors to the heart of Mannheim despite the rain!

Nightwalking brings 25,000 visitors to the heart of Mannheim despite the rain!

Last weekend, the Jungbusch district in Mannheim celebrated the 19th edition of the popular “Nightwalk”. Around 25,000 visitors flocked to the lively neighborhood, despite adverse weather conditions. The event, which was opened on Friday evening by Mayor Christian Specht (CDU), offered an extensive program that included music, exhibitions, readings and impressive light installations. The festival is organized by “Events-Tourism-Marketing: Mannheim Experience GmbH” (VTM), which achieved a positive outcome despite the rain. Managing director Oliver Althausen expressed his confidence about the course and the response from the guests.

The night walk took place over two evenings and spanned more than 70 locations, where around 100 different activities were offered. This not only reflects the cultural wealth of the district, but also the change that Jungbusch has undergone in recent years. Backyards, shops and workshops opened their doors and invited visitors to discover the industrial culture there, and all without admission - only a solidarity contribution of five euros was required to cover the costs and receive a deposit-free “Nightwalking” mug. In order to secure the future of the festival, a crowdfunding campaign was launched at the same time.

Cultural diversity in Jungbusch

Jungbusch, known for its diversity and liveliness, shows its best side through night walking. It is a district that combines history, present and future. Stages for the musical and artistic program were spread throughout the neighborhood, and the diverse culinary offerings ensured there was something for everyone.

Despite the success of the night walk, its funding is in jeopardy. Despite an approved grant of 50,000 euros for 2023 and 2024, the organizers face a challenge in 2025, as no more grants are available due to savings requirements from the Karlsruhe regional council. The total costs for the event amount to around 130,000 euros, which have to be covered by numerous sponsors. According to the economic and cultural mayor Thorsten Riehle (SPD), the support of companies and the community is essential to enable night walking in the future.

The streets of Jungbusch were affected by closures during the event and buses had to be rerouted to ensure a safe event for visitors. The Night Walk, which was launched in 2003 and was canceled in 2020 and 2021 due to the corona pandemic, remains a highlight in the city's calendar and an important event to activate and identify residents with their district. Looking at the success of the past few years, it is to be hoped that Nightwalking will remain an integral part of Mannheim's cultural scene in the future.

For more information about the festival and events in Jungbusch, visit the official Nachtwandel website: nachtwandel-im-jungbusch.de.