Bochum is a cultural centre of the Ruhr region. There is a municipal theatre, the Schauspielhaus Bochum, and about 20 smaller theatres and stages. The musical Starlight Express, which opened in 1988, is the longest-running musical in Germany.
� Jumble Sale � on the third Saturday of the month, in front of city hall
� April/May: Maiabendfest � local festival, hundreds of years old
� May: Steam Festival (every other year)
� June events:
Rubissimo, Ruhr University's summer festival
Kemnade International
Extraschicht - Night of Industrial Heritage (many locations all over the Ruhr area)
� June/July: VfL for Fun � summer festival for Bochum's football (soccer) team, VfL Bochum 1848
� July: Bochum Total (Rock Music Festival) - starts on the first weekend after school lets out
� July or August: Bochum kulinarisch � culinary treats from various cuisines, held the last weekend of summer vacation
� August: Bochumer Musiksommer, Bochum's Summer of Music
� September: Open Flair - international cabaret and street theater
� October: Oktobermarkt � October Market
� October/November: Bochumer Bachtage - music of composer Johann Sebastian Bach
� October/November: Ruhrgebiets-Antiquariatstag - used and antique book sale
� November: Children's and Teenagers' Theatre
� December: Weihnachtsmarkt � Christmas Market - month-long open air market spread over the heart of downtown Bochum, includes performance stages
