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International Museum Day at the Red Dot Design Museum

Permanent exhibition
19 May 2024 | 13:00 – 15:00 h

On International Museum Day, visitors to the Red Dot Design Museum pay as much as they like to enter the world's largest exhibition of contemporary design; admission is free for children under 12.

At 1 p.m., 1.30 p.m., 2 p.m. and 2.30 p.m., friends of beautiful design and all other interested parties can go on a 30-minute tour of discovery in the Red Dot Design Museum. Participants in the guided tours are given a brief overview of the "Colours of Our Time" exhibition and learn about the fascinating architecture of the museum.

A visit to the Red Dot Design Museum

Almost everything that surrounds us in everyday life is design: every product or poster, every interior or website is designed. This is conveyed to visitors in an exciting way at the Red Dot Design Museum Essen. On their way through the exhibition, they encounter Red Dot award-winning objects from different worlds of life and products. In the process, 2,000 beautifully shaped and innovative exhibits on 4,000 square meters make award-winning design and the quality of everyday objects tangible: touching and trying out many products is expressly permitted. The contrast of old and new, of current product culture and historical industrial architecture makes the Red Dot Design Museum an unforgettable experience and makes everyday objects appear in an entirely different light.

Please note: the public guided tour is in German.

"Pay What You Want" - Decide for yourself how much you want to pay for admission to the world's largest exhibition of contemporary design on International Museum Day.

On the occasion of Museum Day, participation in the guided tours is free of charge!

As the group size is limited to a maximum of 20 participants, please register in advance at +49 201 30104-60.


20 June 2023 – 31 May 2024

Special exhibition

Milestones in Contemporary Design 2023–2024

The exhibition on the first floor presents the best products of 2023 - the current milestones in international product design.

20 June 2023 – 31 May 2024

Special exhibition

Design on Stage 2023–2024

Award-winning products from all over the world are guests at the Red Dot Design Museum until the end of May 2024.

22 February 2024 – 2 June 2024

Special exhibition

Colours of Our Time – Identity and Difference in Design

The special exhibition on the theme of "Colour in Design" can be seen from 22 February to 2 June 2024.

12 April 2024 – 26 May 2024

Special exhibition

"World’s Best Communication Design 2023 and Highlights from NRW"

The Red Dot Design Museum in Essen is showing award-winning communication design from around the world in the exhibition "World’s Best Communication Design 2023 and Highlights from NRW".

5 May 2024 | 14:00 – 15:00 h

Public tour

Public guided tour: "Colours of Our Time"

The Red Dot Design Museum offers a half-hour public tour at 2 p.m. and at 2:30 p.m. each Sunday. Participation is free of charge (however, the normal museum admission fee must be paid).

Please note: The tour will be conducted in German!

12 May 2024 | 14:00 – 15:00 h

Public tour

Public guided tours: "Colours of Our Time"

The Red Dot Design Museum offers a half-hour public tour at 2 p.m. and at 2:30 p.m. each Sunday. Participation is free of charge (however, the normal museum admission fee must be paid).

Please note: The tour will be conducted in German!

19 May 2024 | 13:00 – 15:00 h

Permanent exhibition

International Museum Day at the Red Dot Design Museum

International Museum Day: The Red Dot Design Museum is offering free public guided tours (in German) every half hour between 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Admission is pay-what-you-want.

26 May 2024 | 14:00 – 15:00 h

Public tour

Public guided tours: "Colours of Our Time"

The Red Dot Design Museum offers a half-hour public tour at 2 p.m. and at 2:30 p.m. each Sunday. Participation is free of charge (however, the normal museum admission fee must be paid).

Please note: The tour will be conducted in German!

10 June 2024 – 24 June 2024

Permanent exhibition

Museum closed

The Red Dot Design Museum will be closed as of 10 until 24 June 2024 for the public. During this period, we are preparing two new special exhibitions for our visitors: "Milestones in Contemporary Design 2024" and "Design on Stage 2024". Starting Tuesday, 25 June 2024, the exhibitions will be open for the public.

25 June 2024 – 1 June 2025

Special exhibition

Milestones in Contemporary Design 2024–2025

The exhibition on the first floor presents the best products of 2024 the current milestones in international product design.

25 June 2024 – 1 June 2025

Special exhibition

Design on Stage 2024–2025

Award-winning products from all over the world are guests at the Red Dot Design Museum until the end of May 2025.