Solingen in February 2026: Culture, Tourism, and Community in Focus

Culture as a Link in Solingen

In February 2026, Solingen was marked by cultural and tourist development. The city launched a range of initiatives that not only strengthen cultural identity but also promote tourist attractiveness and social participation. Particularly noteworthy are the developments surrounding the hiking badge system, Schloss Burg, and urban marketing.

Hiking Badges as Part of a Regional Tourism Concept

Solingen is planning a hiking badge system to be developed in cooperation with the cities of Remscheid and Wuppertal as well as the Bergisches Land Tourismus Marketing e.V. (BLTM). The goal is to attract hikers and at the same time strengthen regional tourism. Both digital solutions such as SummitLynx and analog elements like a stamp pass and physical badges are being used.

Cooperation with gastronomic businesses along the hiking trails is another key focus. The project is being evaluated for potential funding through state and federal programs (e.g., "Starke Heimat NRW," "EFRE," "Erlebnis.NRW"). The Committee for Culture, Urban Marketing, and Tourism is expected to submit a final proposal for decision-making by Q4 2026 at the latest. The "Klingenpfad" in Solingen and similar circular trails in neighboring cities offer significant potential.

Schloss Burg: From Association to Non-Profit GmbH

Another highlight was the discussion on the future of Schloss Burg. The Schlossbauverein, which has voluntarily managed the castle for over 140 years, is now planning with the cities of Wuppertal, Remscheid, Solingen, and the association to establish a non-profit limited liability company (gGmbH). The goal is to organize operations in a future-proof manner and ensure the long-term financing and preservation of the castle.

The planned public-law agreement (ÖRV) is intended to replace outdated contracts and create a modern structure. The museum operations and events will be used more intensively in the future to improve economic stability. Themed events, especially during the Christmas season and after renovation work, are planned.

Urban Marketing: Strengthening Identity and Attracting Guests

In the area of urban marketing, Solingen focused on a broad range of measures to strengthen cultural identity and improve tourist offerings. The event calendar project "Erlebe Solingen" and welcome bags for new residents are examples of work in urban marketing.

In February 2026, initial plans for the microsite "entdecke.solingen.de" were also presented, which is intended to better present tourist information. In addition, a media campaign for Schloss Burg with an author trip in Q2 2026 is planned. The discovery tours in cooperation with the O-Bus Museum, restaurants, and hotels as well as uniform tourist leaflet stands in Q3 2026 are intended to strengthen cross-selling strategies.

At the same time, a coordination structure for district marketing is being developed to utilize the multi-centered city structure and compensate for a lack of young volunteers. The challenge of responsibility issues within the administration is addressed by an interdisciplinary "Urban Marketing Roundtable."

Music School: Education, Cooperation, and Financial Challenges

The Municipal Music School Solingen GmbH was prominently featured in the committee meeting. In the fiscal year 2024/2025, the music school closed with a deficit of 456,474.69 euros. Turnover revenue dropped to 788,000 euros (previous year: 826,000 euros), which is due to the restructuring of employment relationships. A donation of 1,000 euros from the Stadt-Sparkasse Solingen significantly contributed to improving the annual financial report.

The music school not only promotes musical education but also cultural and social participation through cooperation with schools, associations, and other educational and cultural providers. There are special offers for adults and seniors, such as rock bands for those over 60 or the adult big band. The music school is part of the city's community structure and is financially heavily dependent on subsidies and grants.

Outlook: Cultural Policy as a Design Task

The Committee for Culture, Urban Marketing, and Tourism will also play a central role in the coming months. A specialist day on "Municipal Cultural Policy" is planned for April 2026, covering topics such as diversity, inclusion, and strategic cultural planning. In addition, the webinar series "Understanding Cultural Policy. Shaping the Community." is ongoing, supporting volunteer cultural policymakers in the region.

Solingen proves that cultural policy is not only a matter of events but a central building block for urban development, identity, and social integration. With the current initiatives, the city is setting impulses that will have an impact beyond February.