2025 will be a year full of highlights for contemporary art lovers. From established art fairs to unique art weekends, we present the most significant events of the upcoming year that you definitely should not miss. We at Moviiu will also be present on-site, personally introducing our smart art shipping solution to the key players in the German art scene.

Art Düsseldorf (April 11–13, 2025, Düsseldorf)

With its seventh edition, Art Düsseldorf strengthens its position as one of the most dynamic art fairs in the German-speaking world. In 2025, the fair will take place at the light-flooded Böhler Areal, whose unique architecture and open atmosphere provide the ideal setting for the presentation of contemporary art. Here, 108 galleries will present their outstanding positions and new discoveries in contemporary art.

Gallery Weekend Berlin (May 2–4, 2025, Berlin)

Gallery Weekend Berlin celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2025 and remains one of the capital’s most important art events. Each year, up to 55 galleries open their doors for exclusive solo and group exhibitions. The event offers unparalleled access to emerging and established artists working or exhibiting in Berlin. Originally founded in 2005 by a group of Berlin galleries, it has long been a fixed part of the international art calendar.

Various Others (May 8–18, 2025, Munich)

Various Others connects Munich’s art scene with international partners. Since 2017, galleries, museums, and artist-run spaces have collaborated on changing exhibition projects. With over 40,000 visitors, this event has become a fixture in the annual art calendar. From May 8–18, 2025, around 40 exhibitions will open, accompanied by talks, performances, and receptions in private collections. Having grown without much public funding, Various Others has established itself as a dynamic art hub in Munich.

DC Open (September 5–7, 2025, Düsseldorf/Cologne)

The DC Open is the most important gallery weekend in the Rhineland and marks the start of the art autumn season. Around 50 galleries from Cologne and Düsseldorf will showcase their exhibition highlights of the year and invite visitors to a variety of events, from guided curator tours to collector programs. After 16 successful years, the DC Open has become a central meeting point for art collectors, curators, and art lovers from Germany and abroad.

Berlin Art Week (September 10–14, 2025, Berlin)

Berlin Art Week is the city’s most important art festival, bringing together over 100 partners – from museums and private collections to galleries, off-spaces, and art fairs. For 13 editions, it has offered a diverse program centered around contemporary art. With exhibitions, performances, and discussions, the festival transforms the entire city into a vibrant art venue, creating countless opportunities for encounters with art and artists.

POSITIONS Berlin Art Fair (September 11–14, 2025, Berlin)

POSITIONS Berlin Art Fair is a key event during Berlin Art Week and takes place in the impressive Hangars 5 and 7 of the former Berlin-Tempelhof airport. With its light-filled halls and 16-meter-high ceilings, the fair offers a unique atmosphere spanning over 10,000 square meters. 111 galleries from 24 countries will present modern and contemporary art to an international audience. With over 30,000 visitors last year, the fair remains an important meeting place for art enthusiasts and collectors.

Frankfurt Art Experience (Autumn 2025, Frankfurt)

Frankfurt is increasingly becoming a focal point for the art scene. Over 50 galleries and off-spaces will participate in this event, which offers art lovers a comprehensive tour of the city. Launched in 2019, the event now attracts over 15,000 visitors annually.

Art Cologne (November 6–9, 2025, Cologne)

As the world’s oldest art fair, Art Cologne remains a must-attend event for the international art trade. The fair brings together top galleries from around the world, showcasing masterpieces from classical modernism, post-war art, and contemporary works. With its carefully curated program, Art Cologne attracts renowned galleries, collectors, and institutions globally. Every year, around 200 galleries present a wide range of artworks – from established giants to emerging talents.

Art Highlights in German Museums 2025

In addition to the major art fairs and events, it’s also worth visiting the renowned museums in the respective cities. Here are some exhibitions you shouldn’t miss if you’re in the art hubs:

Düsseldorf: Discover Modern Art at K20 & K21

Düsseldorf is a hotspot for modern artworks, and the Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen (K20 & K21) offers two exceptional exhibitions in 2025 that art lovers should not miss.

At K20, the exhibition Forgotten Avant-Garde – Queer Modernism (September 20, 2025 – February 15, 2026) highlights the groundbreaking yet often overlooked contributions of queer artists to modern art. Over 40 works from Europe, North America, and Latin America tell a visually compelling story of desire, identity, and resistance – a milestone in art history.

At K21, the first major solo exhibition of Julie Mehretu (May 10 – October 12, 2025) will honor one of the most influential contemporary artists. Her monumental abstract artworks emerge from the layering of political imagery and architectural structures. Particularly exciting: her image archive will be presented for the first time alongside her works, offering visitors a unique insight into her creative process.
Whether classics by Paul Klee, Jackson Pollock, and Gerhard Richter or avant-garde discoveries – Kunstsammlung NRW will make Düsseldorf a center for outstanding artworks and inspiring exhibitions in 2025.

Munich: Masterpieces at the Pinakotheken & Museum Brandhorst

Munich is a city of artworks – from the Old Masters at the Pinakotheken to the contemporary avant-garde at the Museum Brandhorst. The Pinakotheken showcase iconic works by van Gogh, Rembrandt, and Monet, while the Museum Brandhorst presents an extraordinary exhibition on Cy Twombly in 2025.

The exhibition, held across the entire upper floor, is dedicated to the unique oeuvre of the American artist whose abstract forms, gestural painting, and writing elements revolutionized the art world. Highlights include the monumental Lepanto Cycle, displayed in a specially designed room, and the atmospheric Rosensaal. Twombly’s works oscillate between ancient influences, Mediterranean mythology, and urban graffiti aesthetics – a fascinating combination that will be impressively presented in Munich in 2025.

Anyone in the Bavarian capital should not miss this rare opportunity to experience masterpieces from the past and present all in one place.

Frankfurt: Masterpieces at the Städel Museum – Max Beckmann & Carl Schuch

The Städel Museum is the first address for artworks in Frankfurt. With masterpieces by Vermeer, Rembrandt, Monet, and Bacon, it is one of the most important art museums in Germany. In 2025/26, two outstanding exhibitions will be the focus: Max Beckmann’s drawings and the rediscovery of Carl Schuch.

The special exhibition on Max Beckmann (December 3, 2025 – March 15, 2026) will provide an in-depth look at the artist’s drawings for the first time. Around 80 works, including rarely seen sketches and expressive compositions, will showcase Beckmann’s unique style and artistic development. Complemented by selected paintings, the exhibition offers a profound insight into the interplay between drawing and painting.

Simultaneously, the Städel Museum will explore Carl Schuch’s connection to French modernism (September 24, 2025 – February 1, 2026). Schuch’s virtuoso still lifes and landscape paintings will engage in an exciting dialogue with works by Cézanne, Corot, Courbet, and Monet. The exhibition highlights how the once-underappreciated painter influenced the art of his time with his bold use of color and unique style.

Photo credits:

1. Lepanto, panel 12, Cy Twombly
2. Art Cologne Stand Galerie Schlichtenmaier