When does the Graffiti Festival 2026 take place?

The Graffiti Festival takes place from November 4 to 12, 2026. The general event hours are from 10:00 AM to 08:00 PM.

Where does the Graffiti Festival take place?

The event location is the main university building of Bielefeld University at Universitätsstraße 25, 33615 Bielefeld.

Which artists are participating in the festival?

The international lineup includes Friendly, Sue Bendek, RosyOne, Jakob der Bruder, Nense, and Salvaje Selva.

Is admission to the Graffiti Festival free?

Yes, the open cultural program of the Graffiti Festival is free of charge.

Are there workshops at the Graffiti Festival?

Yes, on November 7 and 8, graffiti workshops under the title Supervised Spraying will take place. Additionally, a creative workshop will be held in the university hall on November 10.

What other program points are there?

The accompanying program includes an opening in the university hall, the film night Chile Estyle with a subsequent discussion, music, sketch meetups, and the panel Art as a Political Form of Expression on November 12.

When White Walls Explode: Bielefeld Experiences Nine Days of International Street Art

Name: Graffiti Festival
Start: 2026-11-04T10:00:00+01:00
End: 2026-11-12T20:00:00+01:00
Location: Universitätshauptgebäude

Graffiti Festival 2026: International Street Art Takes Over Bielefeld University

When white walls become vibrant stories, the main university building transforms into an open stage for urban art. From November 4 to 12, 2026, the Graffiti Festival brings international artists to Bielefeld. Visitors experience the creative process right on site and see how large-scale murals, colorful pieces, and expressive street art compositions are created amidst ongoing university activities.

International Artist Lineups and Large Wall Spaces

The lineup connects different styles and perspectives from the international graffiti scene. Participating artists include Friendly from Hong Kong, Sue Bendek from Colombia and Germany, RosyOne from Switzerland, Jakob der Bruder from Austria, Nense from Chile, and Salvaje Selva from Spain. They will decorate spaces in the main building, the passage to the hall, the large wall in the university hall, and a wall in the entrance area.

The works reflect various styles: RosyOne is known for bright figures and old-school aesthetics, Jakob der Bruder is associated with anti-style, Nense works as a contemporary muralist with traditional graffiti elements and avant-garde forms. Salvaje Selva combines graffiti with abstract textures and impasto effects, while Sue Bendek stylizes everyday scenes and Friendly brings her long-standing experience from the Hong Kong graffiti culture.

Festival Atmosphere Between University Hall and Audimax

The Graffiti Festival emphasizes an open multi-day experience rather than a single exhibition. During university opening hours, interested individuals can watch the artists at work. Spray cans, sketches, color fields, and the continuous change of motifs make the festival grounds a walk-in studio with immediate open-air and campus atmosphere.

The accompanying program expands the exhibition with workshops, sketch meetups, music, and discussions. The event kicks off on November 4 with a relaxed opening in the university hall. On November 6, a film night featuring Chile Estyle about the street art and graffiti scene in Chile will take place in front of the Audimax, followed by a discussion with Chilean artist Nense.

Workshops, Creative Program, and Political Perspectives

On November 7 and 8, the workshops Supervised Spraying invite students for hands-on work. The workshop on November 7 is aimed at FLINTA* individuals, and the session on November 8 is open to all students. No prior knowledge is required; participation is free of charge, and spaces are limited.

On November 10, a creative workshop will take place in the university hall. The finale on November 12 will feature the panel Art as a Political Form of Expression in front of the Chile mural, discussing graffiti, street art, memory, protest, and the role walls play in political disputes.

A Festival with History and Lasting Images

The new artworks are created as part of renovation work on previously white areas. They connect to an earlier university festival from 2015, whose artworks have shaped the appearance of the university hall for years. The new murals are expected to remain visible until 2029. A special connection is the Chile mural in front of the Audimax: the protected mural created by Chilean exile students in 1976 celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2026.

Conclusion: Experience Street Art Live

The Graffiti Festival 2026 transforms Bielefeld University into an open art space and connects international artist lineups with workshops, film, music, and societal discourse. Anyone wanting to not only observe urban art but also experience its creation will find a diverse, public, and free cultural program here. Come by, let the colors work their magic, and see the new murals grow live.