Activities

Organized Activities

On Saturday, we offer a variety of exciting activities for all participants — whether you’d like to explore Karlsruhe, or just relax and have fun. All activities finish in time for dinner at 18:30, so make sure to be back by then!

Company Market — 11:00 – 18:30 | Audimax Foyer

Meet our sponsors and discover the latest innovations from leading tech companies! The Company Market is a great opportunity to network, get career insights, and explore cutting-edge products and research. Make sure to stop by and see what’s new in the world of technology!

Drop by anytime during opening hours!

Board Games Afternoon — 16:00 – 18:30 | Audimax

Take a break and enjoy an afternoon of classic and modern board games. Meet other teams in a fun, informal setting.

Just come by, no registration needed.

ZKM (Center for Art and Media) — 16:00 – 18:00 | Lorenzstraße 19

This world-renowned museum focuses on the intersection of art, technology, and society - perfect for tech-minded visitors! The GamePlay exhibition is particularly fascinating, exploring the cultural impact of video games through interactive installations.

To get there, take tram line 2 (not S2) from KIT Campus South in the direction of Knielingen Nord über Hbf and get off at ZKM. The ride takes about 15 minutes. Show your NWERC badge at the entrance for free entry on Saturday afternoon.

Natural History Museum — 16:00 – 18:00 | Erbprinzenstraße 13

This comprehensive museum offers fascinating insights into natural history, geology, and biology. Its impressive aquarium features the biggest living coral reef in Germany and the black tip reef shark Karla.

To get to the museum it's just a 20-minute walk through the city center, so taking the tram isn’t really necessary. Show your NWERC badge at the entrance for free entry on Saturday afternoon.

Guided City Tour — "Discover Karlsruhe" (Fully booked!) — 15:30 – 18:00 | Audimax

Join our walking tour through Karlsruhe’s historic city center! Learn about the city's baroque origins, the mystery of the pyramid at the marketplace, the legend of Caspar Hauser, and stories surrounding Germany's top courts and local inventors.

If you managed to register for the city tour, meet us in front of the Audimax at 15:30 with your NWERC badge. The tour ends in time for you to be back for dinner at 18:30.

Things to Explore on Your Own

Whether you're arriving early on Friday or staying a bit longer on Monday, Karlsruhe also offers plenty of attractions to explore on your own. Here are some recommendations to make the most of your visit:

• Christmas Market: Experience the festive atmosphere of Karlsruhe's traditional Christmas market.
• Karlsruhe Botanical Gardens: Located at the magnificent Karlsruhe Palace, these historic gardens offer free access to their outdoor areas. The baroque-style garden design and greenhouses provide a glimpse into 18th-century landscaping and architecture, with geometric patterns, tree-lined paths, and seasonal flower displays.
• Botanical Garden of KIT: Free entry to this beautiful university botanical garden. While November might not be peak garden season, the extensive greenhouse collections remain vibrant year-round.
• Zoo: Conveniently located right next to the main train station, making it incredibly easy to visit. The zoo is home to over 6000 animals from around the world. Must-see highlights include the spectacular tropical house (Exotenhaus) with its lush rainforest environment, an adorable polar bear cub playing in its Arctic habitat, and the charming red pandas.
• Retro Games Museum: This museum features a permanent exhibition of over 90 video game machines, 15 pinball machines, and various video game consoles. The vast majority of the exhibits are interactive and can be tried out without inserting coins. Open on Saturdays 15:00-22:00.
• ZKM (Center for Art and Media): Free entry on Fridays 14:00-18:00.
• Natural History Museum: Free entry on Fridays 13:00-17:00.