Manifesta 16 launches in Ruhr region, spotlighting summer 2026 German art exhibitions

The 16th edition of the nomadic Manifesta biennale will take place from 21 June to 4 October 2026 in twelve vacant post‑war churches across Duisburg, Essen, Gelsenkirchen and Bochum in the Ruhr region. The programme includes works by Katharina Fritsch, Amanda Ziemele, Olaf Metzel and Alicja Kwade, aiming to blend contemporary art with the area's industrial architecture. Other notable events in the Ruhr include a large Anish Kapoor installation at the Lehmbruck Museum in Duisburg until 30 August, Marina Abramović’s immersive performance in September, and exhibitions at the Josef Albers Museum Quadrat in Bottrop and the Museum Küppersmühle in Duisburg.

In Munich, the second half of 2026 features a slate of major shows: “Barcelona moderna” at the Kunsthalle, Tomás Saraceno at the Haus der Kunst, “Planetary Health” at the Deutsches Museum, the “Stonehenge” exhibition at the Archaeological State Collection in September, and “Maria Jarema” at the Lenbachhaus in October. Family‑friendly highlights include “Molassic Park”, a Stonehenge exhibition and tropical butterfly displays. The Valentin‑Karlstadt‑Museum reopens on 10 July, and the city’s Lange Nacht der Museen runs on 17 October.