In 2001 the ExtraSchicht celebrated its premiere and the fascination for the event is still undiminished. Once a year an entire region with 53 cities celebrates together. The subtitle, "Night of Industrial Culture" reveals at once the original aim of the festival: ExtraSchicht takes former industrial plants, active production facilities, mines and slagheaps, and skillfully turns them into venues of industrial culture, illustrating the transformation of the Ruhr Area from heavy industry to a modern region of business and culture. The outcome is an event, which is closely linked to the history of the region and the visitors get a chance to experience a unique atmosphere, which can only be found in the Ruhr Area.

ExtraSchicht offers a unique opportunity to gain a new perspective on venues of industrial culture. For this one night only, they appear in a different light, when international artists install imaginative productions and winding towers, gasometers and wage halls turn into stages for streetart, poetry slam, music and theatre performances, light and pyro shows.

Visitors set out on their individual tour, travelling from venue to venue by means of shuttle bus or tram, by bicycle or even on foot. Mobility and accessibility in the region are likewise elements of the concept. A special mobility concept of the Verkehrsverbund Rhein-Ruhr (VRR) public transport authority ensures excellent connections between all venues. The visitors' voyage of discovery through the Night of Industrial Culture really is a journey. When shows are running concurrently at 50 locations in the region, travelling between them is part of the experience. As such, ExtraSchicht is not only bringing shows on stage all over the region, but also sets the entire Metropolis Ruhr in motion.

The venues for 2024 are not yet fixed, we will inform you in spring 2024.