The fascinating history of this renowned art museum is a story of civic engagement. Back in 1848, when the Leipzig art association opened the municipal museum at the Moritzbastei, the hundred or so works on display were donations from the citizens of Leipzig. And the present-day collection of 3,500 paintings, 1,000 sculptures and 60,000 drawings and prints is largely comprised of gifts from private initiatives and generous patrons.

Most of Frankfurt's museums can be found in close succession along the southern banks of the river Main . With views of Frankfurt's famous skyline, this is a wonderful place for a stroll – and for a festival. The Museum Embankment Festival attracts around three million visitors every year with its winning combination of art, culture, music and cuisine. Exceptional programmes at the city's museums, live entertainment on stage, and arts and crafts make this event one of the largest festivals of culture in Europe.

A stage at a water purification works, a production at a gasometer or a performance at a colliery: the creative use of industrial monuments in the Ruhr – including those found on the Route of Industrial Heritage – has transformed the region from an area of industry into a centre for culture. ExtraSchicht takes place on one night in the summer and sees industrial monuments in 50 different towns and cities in the Ruhr turned into fantastic venues for international artists.

Every spring, locals as well as visitors from all over the world flock to Nuremberg's old quarter after nightfall to experience Blue Night, which features around 250 events at 70 cultural venues. Light installations bathe buildings and entire streets in a blue glow, telling stories of their own and giving visitors a completely new perspective on the city. The programme is accompanied by exhibitions, concerts and plays.

From Brandenburg Gate to Berlin Cathedral : the city's signature attractions take on a dazzling new look during the Festival of Lights in Berlin – one of the biggest illumination events in the world. For twelve nights internationally renowned artists use projections and installations to transform buildings, streets and squares in the German capital. The Festival of Lights is accompanied by various cultural and sporting events such as the Light Run and Open City night.

Every two years, the Luminale biennial attracts around 140,000 visitors to Frankfurt city centre. Originally a fringe event for the international Light+Building trade fair at Frankfurt Exhibition Centre , it became increasingly popular in its own right. The streets, squares, skyscrapers, churches, museums and galleries of the city are presented in a completely different light and captivate visitors with spectacular and often interactive installations.

Since 2004 the Gallery Weekend in Berlin has made the German capital a centre for contemporary art. Always in late April, some 50 galleries host special exhibitions and events inviting visitors to take a foray into the current art scene. Artists, collectors, gallery owners and people from all over the world can be seen milling around the exhibitions. Shuttle services link the various venues, and beer gardens and cafés provide visitors with the perfect place to take a break and discuss what they've seen.