To truly explore Stuttgart, a visitor would need at least three days. But what if they only have seven hours? If they are lucky enough to be in Stuttgart Oct. 20, they can see almost everything that Stuttgart has to offer culturally in seven hours during “Stuttgart Nacht,” or Stuttgart Night. The event begins at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 20, and lasts until 2 a.m. Oct. 21.
The program features more than 70 events located in and around downtown Stuttgart, such as theater productions, concerts, dancing, exhibitions, lectures and parties.
Tickets cost €14 when purchased in advance and €16 at the event, and include transportation, along with admission into every location. Shuttle buses will run all night from the Stuttgart Stadtmitte (Rotebühlplatz), Tagblattturm and Siegle Haus.
“During Stuttgart Nacht, visitors can experience a diverse and multifaceted culture program,” said Maria Melber, event organizer from “Lift Stuttgart,” the city’s magazine.
One of this year’s first-time events will be held at the Nord, a rehearsal center for the Stuttgart Theater (Löwentorstrasse 68, shuttle bus stop Löwentorbogen, Stuttgart Nord). Here, patrons can experience Stuttgart’s popular theater ensemble, the Stuttgart Ballet and the Stuttgart State Opera.
According to Melber, the event promises to be “very exciting” since theater, ballet and opera performances will be all held in one location. Opera, ballet and theater performances will start at 7:15 p.m., 8:15 p.m. and 11 p.m. For the first time ever, Stuttgart’s oldest and largest city district, Bad Cannstatt, will participate in the annual outing, according to Melber.
Thorsten Strotmann, a popular German magician, will take patrons on a “magical journey” during his “Magic Lounge” sessions at Cannstatt’s Römerkastell, a former Roman fort, (Naststrasse 41, shuttle bus stop Römerkastell, Stuttgart Bad Cannstatt). Performances will be held every 30 minutes from 7-11:30 p.m.
Another highlight and first-time participant will be the Kulturinsel and Zollamt Club (Frachtstrasse 25, shuttle bus stop Frachtstrasse, Stuttgart Bad Cannstatt). During Stuttgart Nacht, the event location for lifestyle, art and culture, will feature a vibrant program, according to Melber.
Stuttgart artists Jan Haas and Marc Wöhr will present their works during the “Urban Art” exhibition from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. Sand-art performances and hands-on activities, where visitors can play, paint and find creative ways to experiment with sand, will be offered during the “Sandlabor” from 7 p.m. to midnight. Live painting with Julia Humpfer, a Stuttgart artist, will be featured from 7 p.m. until midnight. Blues pop concerts with the Stuttgart-based band “Hawelka” will be held at 7:15 p.m., 9 p.m. and 10 p.m.
“The great thing here is that visitors can experience so many different events and genres in one location,” Melber said.
Stuttgart’s TV tower (Jahnstrasse 120, shuttle bus stop Ruhbank/Fernsehturm, Stuttgart Degerloch) is one of the city’s most important landmarks. The 217-meter tower opened its doors to the public in 1956 and was the first of its kind worldwide. During Stuttgart Nacht, visitors can experience a bird’s-eye-view of the greater Stuttgart area at the tower’s visitor platform at 150 meters from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m. The event area “Dazwischen” features the “Stuttgart Saloniker” playing classic and waltz-inspired music from Vienna, as well as tango and jazz tunes.
The Stuttgart Rathaus (Marktplatz 1, shuttle bus stop Schlossplatz, Stuttgart Mitte) will celebrate its 50-year partnership with Strasbourg, Alsace, with folk music concerts (7 p.m., 7:45 p.m., 8:30 p.m., 9:15 p.m., 10:30 p.m.), cooking and food presentations (hourly from 7 p.m. to midnight), chanson concerts (hourly from 10 p.m. to midnight), pantomime performances (hourly from 10:45) and much more.
For medieval songs and classic concerts, patrons can stop by Leonhardskirche (Leonhardsplatz, shuttle bus stop Siegle Haus, Stuttgart Mitte). Performances with the Ensemble Cosmedin will run hourly from 7-9 p.m. Classic concerts with violin and cello will be held hourly from 10 p.m. to midnight.
“The Stuttgart Nacht is a great way for visitors to experience the city from a different perspective,” Melber said. “People are welcome to explore different institutions, such as the Rathaus as well as landmarks, museums and churches in a more informal way.”
Melber also encouraged patrons to be open to spur-of-the-moment opportunities to fully experience the event’s unique atmosphere.
For more information, or to purchase tickets, visit www.stuttgartnacht.de, or call civ. 0711-601-5444. Tickets can also be purchased during the event at all participating event locations.