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Karlsruhe's most famous yearly event taking place on a weekend in July in the Günther-Klotz Anlage (a suburban park) with about 200,000 spectators: An open-air festival comprising live music of various genres on multiple stages, presenting a mixture of world-class local and national artists. Attendance is €5 per day for the main stage, but other stages are free. Tickets are usually sold out about one month in advance.
Zentrum für Kunst und Medientechnologie
ZKM is devoted to interactive and 'media art'. The museum is quite unique, and the exhibitions are world-class. The ZKM also hosts many cultural events, check their home page for the schedule. The same complex also hosts the Museum für Neue Kunst (Museum for New Art) and the city gallery.
Art Hall of the State
This museum shows mainly classical paintings from the 16th century on. The main building is closed for renovation as of April 2024.
Schloss Karlsruhe
The palace is directly north of the city centre, a 2-min walk on foot from the Marktplatz. The palace was rebuilt after World War II, and now hosts the Badisches Landesmuseum.
The emblem of the city. It marks the place where Karl Wilhelm was buried, and is somewhat unremarkable.
Zoologischer Stadtgarten Karlsruhe
The zoo is moderately large, and does have some special attractions. In the Zoo, there is an artificial mountain (the Lauterberg), and a memorial for the 49° N parallel. You can also ride small boats ("gondolettas") in the lake. A so-called water organ (music and fountains) plays every 30 minutes.
Staatliches Museum für Naturkunde Karlsruhe
Here can be found lots of interesting animals, also plants, geological exhibits (including an earthquake simulator), etc. Ideal to see with children.