Events and leisure time

shopping, partying and relaxing 

Have you always wanted to swim around in an art nouveau baths? Or experience the great medieval market in South Germany? You have come to the right place in Esslingen.

Strolling through the Old Town, you will find something new around every corner – this is the shopping experience in Esslingen. Many small, fine and lovingly kept shops add to the range on offer at the large department stores. And in between times, there are plenty of pubs where you can sit down and relax – either inside or outside.

The medieval city centre provides an ideal backdrop for cultural events. Many of the summer festivals have a culinary theme – the Erdbeerfest, or “Strawberry Festival”, in Küferstraße, the Zwiebelfest, or “Onion Festival”, centred on regional cuisine, the Kürbisfest, or “Pumpkin Festival”, at Esslingen’s weekly market. The Bürgerfest city fair is a place for people to meet from all four corners of the globe to cook, eat and drink together.

In the winter, artists, artisans and tradesman will take you back in time to long-lost epochs in their fantastic costumes at the Christmas and medieval fairs.

If you’d like to sample Esslingen’s nightlife, DICK is the place for you. This nineteenth-cenury factory hall is home to large cinemas, a variety of pubs and a large hall for clubbing through the night in style. Or you can dive into Esslingen’s glass-clad diving tower if you really want to plunge.

The Merkel’sches Bad, Merkel Baths, are ideal for relaxation. These art nouveau bathing facilities offer swimming and wellness with that extra touch of class.

On a more serious note, Esslingen has one of the Germany’s most modern convention centres for conferences and cultural events – the Neckarforum.