1. Mai auf dem Grünen Hügel

Together with DGB trade unions, we kick off our the festival with culture and politics on the Green Hill. Starting at noon, the largest spring festival in the area offers a versatile program on the outdoor stages, the Festivalzelt, and the Ruhrfestspielhaus.

Children and families will find fun ways to engage at the Kulturvolksfest: the adventure area "Kinder stark machen" ("Making children strong") by the Federal Centre for Health Education in cooperation with the StadtSportVerband Recklinghausen e. V. and the DROB; the climbing park and the play mobile of the Falkenfamilie Recklinghausen; the games offered by the Herwig-Blankertz Berufskolleg. In addition, there is a whole host of other surprises in store that allows the little ones to join in the fun and be part of the action.

Another staple of the Kulturvolksfest is the joint concert of Recklinghausen’s Youth Symphony Orchestra and the Neue Philharmonie Westfalen. Together, these orchestras will perform twice, offering lovers of classical music the chance to immerse themselves in a symphonic soundscape. Dance enthusiasts, especially those who enjoy Latin American rhythms, can move their happy feet at the Milonga. To stimulate your intellect, numerous local clubs and associations present their projects on the large meadow behind the Festivalzelt. The Sparkassen Clubraum stage in the Stadtgarten hosts the finale of a band contest.

The trade union demonstration will start at 2:30 pm at the parking lot of the Wolfgang Borchert Comprehensive School and arrive at 3:00 pm on the meadow behind the Ruhrfestspielhaus. This is also the starting point for the DGB's May Day rally with the motto "More pay. More free time. More security." The keynote speaker will be Christine Behle, Deputy Chairwoman of ver.di. This will be followed by the traditional opening ceremony of the Ruhrfestspiele. Starting at 4:00 pm, exciting political discussions on regional topics will follow the festivities. In addition, the Kulturvolksfest offers plenty of variety with flamenco, folklore, literature, talks, and much more.

The Green Hill will also entice visitors with culinary delights: international specialties, local delicacies, and drinks - all served in reusable containers or on a recycling basis. We have got everything covered, so you don't need to bring anything with you.