Bocholt Culture Days begin on 27 August

Visitors can once again look forward to a varied programme this year. This year's Culture Days will take place from 27 August to 31 August on the market square in front of the historic town hall. The programme ranges from theatre and jazz to comedy - the popular silent disco is also returning.

It's almost time: Bocholt's residents - and of course the city's guests - can look forward to the Bocholt Culture Days on the market square. The established cultural event will once again take place in 2025 against the familiar backdrop of the market square in front of the historic town hall. Admission to all events is free! "A great offer for the whole family", says Bocholt's Head of Cultural Affairs Björn Volmering. "From theatre to silent disco, there should be something suitable for everyone", says Volmering.

The programme for the Bocholt Culture Days 2025:

Once again this year, great importance was attached to ensuring that the Bocholt Culture Days have an attractive and varied programme for as many age and interest groups as possible. In addition to established artists, there will also be new programme items:

Wednesday, 27 August: NN Theatre with the play "Holmes&Watson" (starts at 8.00 pm)

An ancient curse lies like a thick veil of mist over gloomy Dartmoor: for generations, a hellish hound demon has been said to haunt the Baskerville family and terrify the people. Truth or just a haunting of dark fantasy? Either way, a perfect breeding ground for dark intrigues and secret machinations.

When another mysterious murder occurs - and huge animal tracks are discovered next to the body - it's clear: time for Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson! With acumen, determination and a pinch of British humour, they plunge into one of their trickiest cases - and show how to tackle the swamp of fear and superstition.

But beware: this crime comedy in the style of Victorian horror is aimed at the laugh muscles! While the spectre of fear is wreaking havoc around the world, there is a danger of laughter getting stuck in your throat...

The event takes place in cooperation with the Stadttheater Bocholt e.V.

Thursday, 28 August: BOHJazz (starts at 7.30 pm)

A jazz concert from the BOHJazz series will take place on Thursday evening. The trio led by guitarist Christian Hassenstein will be performing on the market square with soloist Jan Wessels on the trumpet. The evening market taking place at the same time also offers visitors a diverse selection of culinary specialities and exquisite wines.

Jan Wessels, born in 1964, is a trumpet player and arranger who studied composition and arranging at the conservatory in Hilversum and with Kenny Napper. Since then he has arranged for renowned orchestras and artists and teaches at several Dutch conservatories, including as head of studies at the Conservatorium van Amsterdam.

The jazz evening is supported by Stadtsparkasse Bocholt.

Friday, 29 August: Comedy with Özgur Cebe and his solo programme "FREI!" (8.00 pm)

In his programme, Özgür Cebe illuminates the tension between individual freedom and social boundaries in a pointed and humorous way. With sharp wit, he questions current topics such as digitalisation, populism and religion - always with the conviction that humour must be a divine quality. Although his migration background plays a role, it is not the main focus. Cebe sees himself as a person with a "German operating system and oriental hardware" - a flying carpet with a VW engine - and proves it: Identity is complex, but funny!

The event takes place in cooperation with the Stadttheater Bocholt e.V. and is supported by the Kultursekretariat NRW Gütersloh and the Ministry of Culture and Science of the State of North Rhine-Westphalia.

Saturday, 30 August: Silent Disco (starts at 8.30 pm)

Together with the DochDu association, the Silent Disco will take place again this year. Three different DJs will be playing under the colourfully illuminated Skyliner. The atmospheric music programme should offer something for almost every musical taste. The headphones allow everyone to choose "their" DJ and party to the music. The Silent Disco is a fun event for different age groups and offers a party atmosphere in front of the historic town hall that you will rarely experience in this constellation.

Headphones can be borrowed on this evening for a deposit of €20 from 8.00 pm on the market square. There will be plenty of food and drink on site.

Sunday, 31 August: CityArt art market and hands-on art stalls for children and young people on the market square

On the last day of the Culture Days, there will once again be a wide range of culture to experience from 11.00 am to 6.00 pm.

The art market "CityArt", organised by Hans Michael Spogahn, stretches from Neutorplatz to Marktplatz and offers visitors the opportunity to discover and purchase works of art by more than 60 artists not only from Bocholt, but from all over NRW, the Netherlands and Ukraine.

On the market square, children and young people will be able to work independently and free of charge under the guidance of members of the Bocholt art and culture community, employees of the Bocholt city archive, the LWL-Museum Textilwerk Bocholt and other participants and give free rein to their creativity.

At 11.00 and 15.00 there will be a children's music show to rock along to with the Pia Nino team. With their own and well-known hits, the show invites the very young audience to sing and dance along. The young (and older) audience is involved in the performance and becomes part of the show.