Festival of the senses 2025

The Festival of the Senses 2025 will take place on May 3 and 4 in Karlsruhe city center. On this weekend, Marktplatz, Friedrichsplatz, Kirchplatz St. Stephan and Stephanplatz will be transformed into a colorful spring landscape with numerous attractions.

As there is likely to be a high volume of traffic in Karlsruhe throughout the weekend, we recommend that you travel by public transport. From the underground stops Marktplatz, Kronenplatz, Ettlinger Tor and Europaplatz/ Postgalerie, all event venues can be reached quickly and easily. Further information - including how to get to Karlsruhe - can be found on the website of the Karlsruhe Transport Association (KVV).

There are numerous parking garages for car drivers. parking garages in the city center. We recommend using the parking guidance system to find free parking spaces quickly and easily. It is also possible to use the P&R spaces (e.g. Mühlburg train station, Europahalle, Fächerbad), some of which are free of charge. You can find an overview of all Park & Ride lots here.

TIP: Free commuting with line 1 on Sunday when the shops are open!

As a special customer service on Sundays when the shops are open, the following will also be offered in 2025 in cooperation with the Karlsruhe public transport company the opportunity to travel free of charge on line 1. The tickets are valid on May 4, 2025 from 12:00 to 19:00 on the route Europaplatz/Postgalerie to Durlach Turmberg or Durlach Turmberg to Europaplatz/Postgalerie. Tickets will be issued from 28 April 2025 in individual stores in Karlsruhe city center and Durlach. You can find the issuing points here.  

Yes, as a special customer service on Sundays when the shops are open, in cooperation with the Karlsruhe public transport company the opportunity to travel free of charge on line 1. The tickets are valid on May 4, 2025 from 12:00 to 19:00 on the route Europaplatz/Postgalerie to Durlach Turmberg or Durlach Turmberg to Europaplatz/Postgalerie. Tickets will be issued from April 28, 2025 at the Tourist Information Office in Karlsruhe and in individual stores in Durlach. You can find the issuing points here.  

Yes, on the Friedrichsplatz and St. Stephan church square will be offering quite a program during the event weekend. 

Children can look forward to a Big Bobby Car course, historical XXL wooden games, as well as reading sessions and creative craft activities at the city library or the climate monster workshop on Friedrichsplatz. A special highlight is the "Buzzz" insect vehicle experience, where the little ones travel from station to station on giant insects. 

St. Stephan's Church Square is transformed into a true play paradise with the latest "Zone 30" play offers for the youngest visitors. 

You can find the complete children's and family program here. 

An absolute highlight at the Festival of the Senses is the pleasure market. On the weekend of the event, Karlsruhe's market square is transformed into a gourmet oasis from 11:00 to 20:00 and around 40 selected stalls with a wide variety of specialties and delicacies invite you to enjoy and discover. You can find all the food stalls and their culinary offerings here.

Other highlights include the diverse music and street artthat accompany the market in a special way, numerous information information stands on the Friedrichsplatz and sports activities, as well as fashion shows and dance performances on the Stephanplatz. Not to forget: the open Sunday in Karlsruhe city center and Durlach with free rides on line 1 and many great spring activities in the Karlsruhe districts. 

Yes, the gourmet market on the market square offers a wide range of vegetarian and vegan dishes. You can find an overview of all vegetarian and vegan delicacies and food stalls here.