Masterpieces in Bremen: 2026 year of culture all about international artists
Bremen is starting the year 2026 with a rich array of culture. The highlights are the exhibitions at the Kunsthalle Bremen and the Overseas Museum, which are seeing in the year of culture with international celebrity artists and some surprising themes. Together with the big jubilee year for artist Paula Modersohn-Becker, the Hanseatic city is boasting a vibrant programme with something to offer all art lovers and culture vultures.
From the Romantic era to magic: Bremen’s museums are setting the tone
All eyes are on the Kunsthalle Bremen, where ‘Alberto Giacometti – The measure of the world’ is currently putting a smile on the faces of art lovers from all over the world. The exhibition features more than 100 works by the Swiss painter and sculptor on loan from the Fondation Giacometti in Paris, making it one of the most significant art events in Northern Germany. The iconic, slimline figures will be on show in Bremen until mid-February.
The Kunsthalle is putting on two exhibitions by the Friedrich Nerly between mid-March and the beginning of July 2026 showcasing the German landscape painter of the Romantic period and his Italian works. Significant works such as the ‘Campagna Landscape with Aqua Claudia’ from 1836 are included in the public exhibition. It is also worth a look forward to the autumn, when the special exhibition ‘The Dachshund . An icon goes walkies' is moving into the Kunsthalle from 31 October 2026 to 28 March 2027. With some 100 exhibits from the worlds of painting, photography, sculpture, video and performance, it shows how the dachshund has transformed itself from a gun dog to a pop culture icon. The likes of Pablo Picasso, Andy Warhol and David Hockney demonstrate what an important role this little dog has played in the history of art.
By contrast, the Overseas Museum is transporting its visitors into a fascinating space somewhere between illusion, ritual and culture. The Special magic exhibition is running until 7 April 2026 and features more than 400 objects demonstrating how people all over the world have experienced and interpreted magic for thousands of years. Fringe entertainments such as magic shows, guided tours and family activities turn any visit into an interactive experience for all the senses.
Bremen’s most famous female painter turns 150 years old
In Bremen, the years 2026 and 2027 are all about Paula Modersohn-Becker: The expressionist artist would have celebrated her 150th birthday on 8 February 2026, followed by the 100-year jubilee of her museum on Böttcherstrasse in 2027. The world’s first museum dedicated to a female painter boasts fascinating exhibitions and a varied programme of events to showcase the life and significance of this extraordinarily talented woman. It all starts off on 8 February 2026 with the opening of the major ‘Becoming Paula’ exhibition, with rarely seen works and new biographical insights into how the young Paula Becker became one of the most influential painters of the 20th century.
A new film about the artist is also being released at the cinema to mark the anniversary, plus there is a joint exhibition at the four Worpswede museums taking visitors on a journey through her life and works between 7 February and 1 November 2026. The artist spent many years of her life in the little village to the north-east of Bremen and ultimately died there. The summer package called ‘Following in the footsteps of a Bremen artist’ allows visitors to experience many of the highlights of the anniversary year, including a trip on the historic Moor Express train to Worpswede.
International music and dance groups at the Bremen Tattoo
As well as lots of great exhibitions, Bremen once again has a varied programme of culture for the year 2026. The Bremen Tattoo gets the music side of things going on 17 to 18 January 2026. This impressive show event in the ÖVB Arena features international military and brass bands and dance groups from all over the world.Visitors can expect performances at the very top level.
Enjoy the events to the full with a mini package from Bremen
Visitors who want to make the most of the exhibitions and events Bremen has to offer can book a Mini package from Bremen tourism for their stay. This includes one night in a double room with breakfast and an informative guided tour and starts at €65 per person. You can take your pick of hotels and add further nights to the break as you wish.
This was our last press release for 2025. We thank you for your interest and wish you a relaxing Christmas period and a lovely, inspirational start to the new year.
Sonja Hackmann
+49 421 3080026
Bremen is a Hanseatic City on the Weser in the North of Germany. The city has its own airport and great connections to the railway network. From London Heathrow (LHR), you can get to Bremen (BRE) with Lufthansa in only 3 hours and 50 minutes, with just one stop. From London Stansted (STN), you have also non-stop flights with Ryanair.
