Programme
Welcome to the Open House Day at Frankfurt’s City Hall!
On Saturday, May 17, from 11am to 6pm, you are invited to explore the Römer — Frankfurt’s historic city hall — and discover how you can actively participate in local democracy and decision-making.
Get to know the work of the city’s departments, public enterprises, and local companies. Visit the rooms where the City Council and the Executive Committee (Magistrat) meet. Take a look inside the Kaisersaal (Kaisers Hall), the Wedding Hall, and the offices of the Chair of the City Council and the Lord Mayor. And if you wish, engage in conversations with members of the Executive Committee and political groups.
Visitors of all ages can look forward to a diverse program featuring discussions, entertainment, and guided tours to the hidden corners of the Römer.
The city’s staff are looking forward to welcoming you — and wish you an enjoyable day full of exciting insights into Frankfurt’s City Hall.
Römerberg and Paulskirche
Römerberg
On Open House Day, the Römerberg square becomes a vibrant activity zone for all generations. Visitors can enjoy a diverse program with live demonstrations, hands-on activities, and fascinating insights into the work of the city. The Parks and Gardens Department puts on an impressive wood-stacking show with a real forestry excavator every hour. The Riederwald Adventure Playground invites kids to join in on a climbing tower.
Frankfurt’s disposal management company (FES) will be showcasing a street sweeper, the fire department brings a large emergency vehicle, and the city police will present a modern patrol car. Additional booths include the Department of Education, the Public Order Office, the traffiQ Mobility Tour, the “Kufti” cultural and leisure ticket, and the Fairtrade Coordination Office. At the red workshop van of the World Design Capital 2026, you can get all the info about upcoming events.
▶ Click here for the Römerberg site map
Selfie-Point „FRANKFURT“
The Frankfurt City Marketing Team and the umbrella association of local business networks invite you to snap a picture in front of the massive “FRANKFURT” letters.
#visitfrankfurt offers guided Old Town tours for just 10 Euros per ticket (in German at 11am, 12pm, 2pm, and 3pm; in English at 10:30am). The “Between Palm Trees and Skyline” city tour starts at 2:30pm Tickets are available at the Tourist Information Römer and online at:
https://www.visitfrankfurt.travel/buchen/stadtfuehrungen/oeffentliche-stadtfuehrungen#/.
Guided Tours: Paulskirche and the House of Democracy
The Paulskirche — a national symbol of Germany’s democratic history — is undergoing major renovations in the coming years and will be further developed. In visual connection with the Paulskirche, the future House of Democracy will be built: a vibrant space for dialogue, participation, and civic exchange.
The dedicated project teams “Paulskirche” and “Development Paulskirche / House of Democracy” will offer insights into the planning process and upcoming steps, including how citizens can get involved.
Tour times: 12:30pm and 3:30pm, plus a special family tour at 2pm for children aged 6 and up (each tour approx. 45 minutes)
Meeting point: Unity Monument in front of the main entrance to the Paulskirche
Römer Tours
Take part in one of the many free guided tours and learn about the history of the Römer City Hall.
German: 11:15am – 5:15pm
English: 3pm and 4am
Barrier-Free Tours: 3pm and 5pm
Children’s Tours: 2pm and 4pm
Free participation tickets can be obtained at the Römer tours meeting point on Römerberg.
▶ Here is the map of Römerberg
For the tour for people with visual impairments at 12pm and the tour in simple and sign language at 1pm, pre-registration is required at: anmeldung@tag-der-offenen-tuer-frankfurt.de.
For tours in Spanish, Portuguese, Polish, Urdu, Tigrinya, Ukrainian, Serbian, Bosnian, Moldovan, Azerbaijani, Russian, French, Turkish, Chinese, and Hindi, please register directly with KAV by Wednesday, May 7th at anmeldung.kav@stadt-frankfurt.de an.
Römer City Hall
Please note: For the safety of all visitors, bag checks will be conducted at the entrance, and waiting times should be expected. The last entry to the Römer City Hall is at 5:30pm.
Exhibition of Local Offices
Local offices, businesses, and societies will present themselves in the Römer and Schwanenhalle, as well as in the Foyer Römerberg, where they will provide information about their work and invite visitors to engage in exchange and dialogue.
▶ Click here for the floor plans of the Ground Floor, 1st Floor, and 2nd Floor
Behind the Scenes
KoDeX Römer – Local Democracy Explainer
“How does the City Hall work?” Local politics are closest to the citizens. Yet, many people know very little about local democracy. If you want to learn how municipal politics and the election system work and how you can get involved, we look forward to your visit at KoDeX, the place for learning about local politics.
11am to 6pm, Wanebachhöfchen
The Registry Office
Starting at 2:30pm, the Registry Office will offer a look at the room where hundreds of couples get married every year. Visit the Trausaal (Wedding Hall) on the first floor.
Office of the Mayor
The doors of the Mayor’s Office are open, inviting you to visit the workplace of Mike Josef.
Mayors of Frankfurt – Then and Now
Join city guide Christian Setzepfandt as he introduces you to the mayors of Frankfurt, both past and present. You will visit the Mayor’s office, the Wandelhalle (Hall of Change), and the Ludwig Landmann Hall, the meeting place of the Magistrate.
Please register by Wednesday, May 7, at anmeldung@tag-der-offenen-tuer-frankfurt.de with your preferred time.
Tour times: 11:30-11:45am; 12:15-12:30pm; 1-1:15pm; 1:45-2pm
Meet the First Citizen of Frankfurt
Visit the office of City Council President Hilime Arslaner and discuss local politics, her role as chairperson of the city parliament, or simply talk about Frankfurt. She looks forward to your questions. You can also view some international gifts in the president’s office.
2:30 to 4pm and 5 to 6pm, Office on the 3rd Floor
Gastronomy/Catering
The Ratskeller invites you to relax and enjoy. At the counters, you can find hot and cold dishes, drinks, as well as coffee and cake. For people with mobility impairments, table service is available in the adjacent Kapellchen. In the Römerhöfchen, you will also find grilled specialties and a vegetarian option.
Share Your Opinion
How do you like this year’s Open House Day? Participate in our on-site survey. As a thank you for your participation, you will receive a small gift from us. You can recognize the survey team by their red polo shirts.
Römer Ambassadors
Where is the Kaisers Hall? How do I get to my tour? How can I apply to the city? The Römer Ambassadors will show you the way, have the answers to your questions, and are available throughout the day to assist you with advice and support. You can recognize the ambassadors by their white t-shirts.
2nd floor
Kaisersaal/ Kaisers Hall
Democracy in Action: Speed-Dating with Frankfurt’s Politicians
Do you want to know who makes the decisions in our city – and why? In this speed-dating session, you have the chance to speak directly with city officials and members of the city parliament. In a personal, eye-level exchange, you can ask questions, share ideas, and experience how vibrant democracy can be. You can engage in short dialogues with up to three politicians.
Limited availability – Please arrive around 10 minutes before the start to receive your participation card.
The list of participating politicians will be published shortly. Please register by email by May 12 and let us know who you would like to speak with. Places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, and we will do our best to accommodate your preferred discussions based on availability. We will inform you in advance about the sessions you have been scheduled for.
Registration required at: anmeldung@tag-der-offenen-tuer-frankfurt.de
12pm to 1:10pm and 4pm to 5:10pm, Kaisers Hall
Political Group Singing. A Unique Group Experience
Sing your way into the Kaisers Hall in the Römer. Meet people of all generations and backgrounds. In a relaxed, informal atmosphere, you can sing without fear of wrong notes.
An event by the Frankfurt Adult Education Center (VHS Frankfurt)
2pm to 3pm, Kaisers Hall
Limpurg Hall
Anniversary 100 Years of Neues Frankfurt – 100 Years of Waldstadion
A hundred years ago, the sports park in the city forest opened its doors with a stadium, swimming pool, and cycling racetrack, one of the most modern facilities of its time. Frankfurt even bid to host the 1936 Olympic Games. Matthias Thoma (Eintracht Museum) and Dr. Julius Reinsberg (Cultural Department of Frankfurt) take you on a journey through Frankfurt’s golden twenties of sports.
11:45am to 12:30pm, Limpurg Hall
Local Politics Explained Simply – Who Decides What Here? (with Mikael Horstmann)
Who decides what happens in Frankfurt? Who makes the rules for schools, buses, or playgrounds? In this session, Mikael Horstmann explains in simple terms how politics works in Frankfurt. You can ask questions and engage in a conversation. Come and find out how you can participate!
An event by the Frankfurt Adult Education Center (VHS Frankfurt)
1pm to 1:45pm, Limpurg Hall
And who is representing me? Diversity and representation in Frankfurt
Every vote carries the same weight – but not every voice is heard equally. How can it be that some social groups are clearly overrepresented while others are not represented at all? What needs to change to ensure that every voice carries equal weight? Panel discussion with city councillors Emre Telyakar (Bündnis 90/Die Grünen), Omar Shehata (SPD), and Mirrianne Mahn (ÖkoLinX-ELF).
An event by the Frankfurt Adult Education Center (VHS Frankfurt)
14 bis 14:45 Uhr, Limpurg Hall
Film Screening: The Goetheturm – A Frankfurt Landmark Rebuilt
Majestically towering over the city forest, the Goetheturm was built by Frankfurt benefactor and merchant Gustav Gerst. In the night of October 13, 2017, the Frankfurt landmark was completely destroyed by fire and was reconstructed in its original form by August 2021.
3pm to 3:45pm, Limpurg Hall
Anniversary 100 Years of Neues Frankfurt – 100 Years of the New Human
The legendary urban renewal program “Neues Frankfurt” aimed to revolutionize every aspect of life in Frankfurt: housing, work, leisure – all areas of daily life. Dr.-Ing. habil. Wolfgang Voigt (Deputy Chair of ernst-may-gesellschaft) looks at everyday life in 1920s Frankfurt in conversation with Dr. Julius Reinsberg (Cultural Department).
4pm to 4:45pm, Limpurg Hall
Film Screening: The Paulskirche in Frankfurt – A Singular Place
On May 18, 1848, the members of the first German national parliament gathered in the Frankfurt Paulskirche to discuss a free constitution and the formation of a German nation-state. In commemoration of this event, a film was produced in 2023 using previously unreleased sound and film footage. This film honors the history of the Paulskirche and the people who spoke there, were honored, or who demonstrated against it.
5pm to 5:45pm, Limpurg Hall
Foyer Kaisers Hall
Exhibition: Political Parties and Independent City Council Members
Ask questions and engage in discussions with representatives of political parties in Frankfurt at the information booths in the 2nd floor Foyer of Kaisersaal, the Wandelhalle, and the Neo-Gothic Staircase. Participating political groups: the Greens, CDU, SPD, The Left (coffee and cake available at “Café Rosa Luxemburg” in Römerhöfchen), FDP, BFF-BIG, AfD, Volt, ÖkoLinX-ELF, and THE FRAKTION. Additionally, there will be a booth for independent city council members.
Here, you can also find the präsentation of the Frankfurt Adult Education Center exhibition, den * the Info-Point* und die ernst-may-gesellschaft e.V.
The Golden Book
Weighing 20 kilograms, half a meter long, and 38 centimeters wide – the Golden Book of the City of Frankfurt is a real eye-catcher, containing entries from notable figures in politics, business, culture, religion, and sports from all over the world. Learn fascinating stories about the Golden Book during a short tour available between 12:00 and 4pm (on the hour).
11am to 6pm, Ludwig-Landmann-Hall
3rd Floor
Committees and Councils
In the foyer in front of the plenary chamber, you will find representatives of the local advisory councils (Ortsbeiräte), district chairpersons, the Frankfurt Senior Citizens’ Advisory Council, the Frankfurt Prevention Council, as well as members of the Municipal Foreigners’ Advisory Council (KAV). Learn more about their important role as intermediaries between citizens and the city administration.
Plenary Chamber
Once a month, the city council members gather in the plenary chamber to make important decisions for our city. Throughout the day, staff from the City Council Office will be available to explain how a session of the city council works and point out some of the chamber’s special features.
Plenary Chamber Program:
Opening Ceremony
Welcome and program kick-off with Hilime Arslaner, Chairwoman of the City Council
1:30pm, Plenary Chamber
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BASIC LAW (by and with Tino Leo)
A short, entertaining, and informative journey back to the year 1949. This performance tells the story of how Germany’s Basic Law was created out of the ruins of WWII. As some mourn the ideals of the past, others—including the Allied powers, those persecuted by the Nazis, and women seeking equal rights—demand a state for the people. 61 men and 4 women draft what has now lasted for 75 years: a democratic Basic Law.
1:30pm and 4:30pm, Plenary Chamber
Table Parliament – Q&A in Easy Language
Topic: What is the Rule of Law? And what does it mean for our city?
At the Table Parliament, you can talk with politicians from Frankfurt. This time, the focus is on the rule of law. The session begins with a short explanation, followed by an open Q&A. You may also ask questions about the politician’s work. The conversation takes place in Easy Language. Guest: Sylvia Momsen, DIE GRÜNEN.
The event is hosted by Lebenshilfe Frankfurt and Volkshochschule Frankfurt.
Participation only with registration: freizeit@lebenshilfe-ffm.de
2:30–4:00pm, Visitors’ Cafeteria, Plenary Chamber, 4th Floor
Fun for Children
On this special day, the Römer becomes a place of discovery with great activities for Frankfurt’s youngest citizens.
Guided Tours for Children
Free participation tickets are available at the meeting point for Römer tours on Römerberg.
2pm and 4pm
Playing-mobile from the Riederwald Adventure Playground
11am to 6pm, Römerberg
Button Workshop for Young and Old
Design your own motif, choose the style, and create your very own personalized button.
12pm – 6pm, Room 310 (behind the Plenary Chamber)
The Democracy Building Site – Building Together. Shaping Democracy.
At the Paulskirche, 10,000 wooden building blocks are available for everyone to freely create bold buildings, bridges, towers, and more. When building our democracy, imagination knows no limits.
In cooperation with the Polytechnical Society Foundation.
11am to 6pm, Paulskirche (St. Pauls church)
