The cultural festival kicked off with the Museum Mile Festival at the end of May 2025 and will conclude with the Beethoven Festival at the end of September.

“Culture and sports are important drivers of transformation processes. Bonn's cultural scene is positively committed to sustainable development through its activities and offerings. The ”Summer of Change" brings these offerings together and highlights how much is already happening in the city. There is certainly still a lot to do, but the cultural scene has set out on this path. This broad commitment will be visible throughout the summer. The program inspires and provides new impetus for action," says Mayor Katja Dörner.

The festival is a joint initiative and collaborative effort. In addition to municipal funding from the Bonn 2035 Climate Plan, the festival is co-financed by the Bundeskunsthalle and supported by significant contributions from all participating partners. One of these partners is the Kulturzentrum Brotfabrik Bonn e. V., to which the Beuel Climate District is affiliated. The Climate District offers citizens the opportunity to actively shape their neighborhood. As part of the festival, there will be an action evening for adults, among other things. “The ‘Summer of Change’ brings more attention to such offerings,” confirms Jennifer Merten, Kulturzentrum Brotfabrik Bonn e. V. 

In addition, many other institutions are represented – large and small, publicly funded and from the so-called independent scene, from different disciplines and genres. Thus, the “Summer of Change” is characterized by its diversity. Art and culture engage in interdisciplinary and cross-disciplinary dialogue with science and business. The program also aims to promote multilingualism and inclusion.

This diversity makes the festival an ideal platform for encounters and exchange. Over the course of the summer, there will be over 90 events designed to inspire and move audiences. In addition to culture, sports will also be represented with a special feature in the festival program. “Sustainability is a team sport. We can only meet the challenges of the future together. I am convinced that the cultural and sports sectors can benefit greatly from each other in this regard,” says Dr. Birgit Schneider-Bönninger, Head of Bonn’s Department of Sports and Culture.

At the end of the festival, a panel discussion entitled “Transformation now!” will take place on September 27 as part of the Beethovenfest with interesting guests.