Squirrel and flowers ()
BUGA23 is a 178-day-long summer festival and garden show overrunning Mannheim between April 14 and October 8 this year. With over 5,000 events occurring between summer and fall, there is no telling what all you can find at this festival across the Spinelli site (former U.S. military base, now a park) and in Luisenpark (but we will do our best to try to tell you).
Each year BUGA focuses on a concept. This year the concept is Sustainability and is brought to you from 52 exhibitors. Not only can you see beautiful garden landscapes, gorgeous flowers and experience a large festival, but you can also learn all about innovative ideas and techniques concerning energy, environment, food security and climate. Have fun and learn something from experts in these fields.
There are 19 rotating flower shows so you are guaranteed to see something new each time you return. Aside from the changing flower shows, parts of Spinelli are transformed into a floral paradise. There are one million flower bulbs, 4,000 bright dahlias, grasses and perennials, as well as over 4,000 rose bushes planted throughout the site.
Take advantage of the summer weather by participating in one of the many activities the organizers have designed for the festival. Do some parkour, calisthenics, or climbing. Splash around the water playground and walk along the 80-meter long, 12-meter-high panoramic footbridge.
No need to break out the chemistry set; it’s not that kind of experiment. Rather, Spinelli Park has been transformed, upcycled, and renovated to cater to sustainability. An abandoned gas station is now a kiosk. Materials from the destruction of the base have been recycled rather than tossed in a landfill. 17 “future gardens” are spread through the field and represent the 17 sustainability goals of the United Nations.
Artistic Expressions and Animal Friends
All summer long, see jazz bands, orchestras, improv troupes, and more with new shows occurring every day. See if you can find the butterflies, Humboldt penguins and underwater creatures scattered in the exhibits along the festival. Don’t worry, there are also plenty of places to relax and fuel up with food and drinks across the festival.
If you need to go from one event in Spinelli to another in Luisen quickly, fret not. There is an overhead cable car spanning across the Neckar River ready to provide transportation from park to park in eight minutes. Cool off on a 25 or 50-minute “Gondaletta” ride on the Kutzerweiher pond and see the Luisenpark from a different perspective.
The focus of this festival is all about having a sustainable Mannheim with the eventual goal of a climate-neutral Mannheim. There are discussions and lectures all summer long, including discussions for the City of Mannheim's Mission Statement 2030.
Visitors can purchase one-day, two-day and season passes. Children under the age of 14 are granted free admission. Unfortunately, dogs must remain at home (unless they are a service animal). Group tours are available at both parks for an additional cost and are 1.5 hours long.
With so many events and so much going on, there is something for everyone to spend a great day at BUGA23.
