2026 Event: February 20-22 Dates & Details

The weekend in North Rhine-Westphalia can be either relaxing or exciting – thanks to various events. The practical overview shows what is going on in the West now.

Cologne – Falling into a hole after carnival? Not with these leisure tips. After all, after the weekend is before the weekend. Whether you prefer relaxation or a lot of action – there is something for everyone – young and old. From light festivals to great markets to Bad Bunny parties, conventions and more. In addition to Ash Wednesday, the traditional fish meal is also popular in restaurants on the Friday after Carnival. The flea market dates for NRW are available again for vintage shopping. 24RHEIN shows what’s going on in North Rhine-Westphalia this weekend (February 20th to 22nd) right here.

Winterstrahlen & Moonlight-Shopping in Soest

• Wo? Old town, Soest
• When? Fri, February 13th to Sunday, February 22nd, daily from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., moonlight shopping on February 20th. until 9:30 p.m
• How much? admission free

Only until Sunday: One of the last festivals of lights this winter can be found in Soest between Dortmund and Paderborn. The historic old town comes into its own when the buildings and squares are brightly illuminated. Since twilight begins early, winter lighting is fun from 5 p.m. Lighting concepts bring warmth into the winter, for example in Theodor-Heuss-Park, at the market, at the town hall, at the St. Paulikirche and in the park around it and more. On Friday there will also be Moonlight Shopping, a shopping event with extra long opening hours until 9:30 p.m.

11 beautiful destinations for winter excursions in North Rhine-Westphalia

The practical excursion magazine presents 11 tips for winter in NRW.

HERE you can download the tips as a PDF

Nachtyard, creative night market in Düsseldorf

• Wo? Rheinriff, Hansaallee 321, Düsseldorf
• When? Once a month, Saturday, February 21st, 6 p.m. to midnight
• How much? 7 euros, children up to 12 years free

The Rheinriff in Düsseldorf now offers the creative, urban night market NachtYard every month on over 5,000 square meters. Here you can enjoy strolling past the stands inside with an industrial flair and outside in the fresh air. In addition to cool products from artists and designers, antique dealers and collectors, you will also find food trucks and a great program. Musicians, performers, tattoo artists and other creative people present themselves. There’s a lot going on here, but there’s still a relaxed atmosphere.

Children’s clothing flea market at Krewelshof, Eifel & Lohmar

• Wo? Krewelshof, Krewelshof 1, each in Mechernich (Eifel) and in Lohmar
• When? Every last Sunday of the month, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m
• How much? Admission is free

On Sunday you can combine a visit to the children’s flea market with a great trip to an adventure farm. One is picturesquely located in the Eifel, the other is pretty in the Bergisches Land. The fresh air is good for the whole family. And everyone thinks a few new children’s things and toys are great. In addition, used items are also cheaper. A good argument for a trip here is the farm café with homemade and regional specialties at both locations as well as the play barn in Lohmar where you can have fun. This way you can extend your visit to the event.

Current flea market dates in NRW conveniently via email

Dawdle, haggle, hunt for bargains: in ours In the new newsletter “Markets in NRW” you will receive an overview of the flea market dates in North Rhine-Westphalia every week. The practical newsletter provides current flea market dates in a fair, reliable and clear manner. The newsletter also contains tips for the weekend. After a short registration, log in here with our free media login USER.ID.

Immersive Frida Kahlo exhibition in Cologne

• Wo? Alegria Exhibition Hall, Lichtstr. 15, Cologne-Ehrenfeld
• When? Daily 10 a.m. to 9 p.m
• How much? Adults 22 euros, children 18 euros

The image of the Mexican artist with the striking eyebrows and the expansive flower crown is iconic. She is often emblazoned on art products – images of her self-portraits. You can take a journey through the colorful imagery of the famous painter in the immersive 360-degree exhibition “Viva Frida Kahlo” in Cologne. With the help of state-of-the-art projections, you are in the middle of an exhibition flooded with light and images that inspire and give you strength.

Comic and Manga Convention in Düsseldorf

• Wo? Canteen of the comprehensive school in Düsseldorf Eller, Heidelberger. 75
• When? Sat, February 21, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m
• How much? 7 euros, children up to 12 years free

Comic and manga fans in North Rhine-Westphalia have a place to go this weekend in Düsseldorf. The CMCD is a cool meeting place for like-minded people. You can show off your cosplay, celebrate anime, comics, graphic novels and manga, buy the corresponding products and meet artists. Karaoke events and live drawings round things off. The “Just Dance Project meets Fotopoint” starts at 11 a.m., the community’s cosplay group photo is taken at 2 p.m. and the Cosplay Walk starts at 4 p.m.

Swan Lake in Duisburg

• Wo? Mercatorhalle in the CityPalais, Duisburg
• When? Sun, February 22nd, 7 p.m
• How much? 35,85 Euro

Finally see the poetic ballet classic “Swan Lake” to dream and relax, accompanied by Tchaikovsky’s world-famous classical music. It’s about the story of Prince Siegfried, who falls in love with the enchanted swan princess Odette. The international ensemble of Royal Classical Ballet will be performing in several cities until the end of February. This is a good opportunity to see this world-famous ballet performed by a renowned company.

North Rhine-Westphalia’s “home pearls”

We have put together 25 excursion tips in North Rhine-Westphalia for you. Ideal for weekends, holidays or short breaks. Our “Heimatperlen” offer inspiration and information as a practical download, optimized for use on smartphones, tablets or as a printout.

Download the “Homeland Pearls” of North Rhine-Westphalia HERE for free.

Further events on the weekend in NRW (February 20th to 22nd, selection)

• Aachen: Candlelight concert in Rahe Castle, tribute to Hans Zimmer film music, Sun, February 22nd, 8 p.m
• Bonn: Bach in Space, images of the universe on a large screen, with music by Bach, Beethovenhalle Bonn, Saturday, February 22nd, 6 p.m
• Dortmund: The big Loriot evening, comedy, Westfalenhalle, Friday, February 20th, 3 p.m
• Dreis-Brück: Lord of the Rings, concert by the Eifelphilharmonie, Haus Vulkania in the Eifel, Saturday, February 21st, 7:30 p.m
• Düren: Paul Panzer, Brave New World, Comedy, Arena Kreis Düren, Friday, February 20th, 8 p.m
• Düsseldorf: Kafka’s Dream, play, Schauspielhaus, Fri, February 20, 7:30 p.m
• Düsseldorf: Mrs. Doubtfire, the Musical, Capitol Theater, Fri 7:30 p.m., Sat 2:30 p.m. & 7:30 p.m., Sun 1:30 p.m. & 6:30 p.m
• Essen: Park lights, festival of lights in Grugapark, Messeplatz 1A, Fri./Sat. 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., Sun. to Thu. 4 p.m. to 9 p.m., until March 1st.
• Essen: Travel & Camping Fair, as well as Bicycle Fair, Fair, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., until March 1st.
• Gelsenkirchen: Orpheus and Eurydice, story from Greek mythology, dance and song performance by opera reformer Christoph Willibald Gluck, Musiktheater im Revier, Sun, February 22nd, 6 p.m
• Köln: Bad Bunny Tribute Party, Vanity Club, Fri, February 20, 10 p.m. to 4 a.m
• Köln: The Little Dragon Coconut, Puppet Theater, Brunosaal, Klettenberggurtel 65, Sat, February 21st, 11 a.m
• Köln: Popular cemetery tour at the Melatenfriedhof, entrance Aachener Straße / near the KVB stop Melaten, Saturday, February 21st, 12 p.m., duration 2 hours.
• Köln: Ehrlich Brothers, “Diamonds. The best illusions from 10 years”, illusion show, Lanxess Arena, Sat 2 p.m. & 7 p.m., Sun 11 a.m. & 3:30 p.m
• Köln: The Night of Musicals, Musical Mix, Theater am Tanzbrunnen, Sun, February 22nd, 8 p.m
• Münster: Dominik Eulberg, Melodic Techno, Fusion Club, Sat, 21.02., 11 pm
• Olpe: ABBA Gold, tribute concert live, Stadthalle Olpe, Sun, February 22nd, 7 p.m
• Away: 20th pub night in Unna with band performances, Friday, February 21st, from 8 p.m

Looking for nice excursion destinations for February in North Rhine-Westphalia? Then simply find what you are looking for on 24RHEIN. Highlights and anniversaries in 2026 can be found all over North Rhine-Westphalia.