Friends of culture do find their account in Bad Ems in any case, as the historically meaningful buildings offer a manifold programme. Next to a stroll along the Lahn promenade, in the spa park or on the idyllic “Platz der Partnerschaft” with its Venetian flair, above all the marble hall in the kurhaus has to be mentioned, which is almost a “holy” place of cultural interest for history experts, a place where already emperors and crowned heads from all over the world abandoned themselves to cultural pleasures. The same applies to the spa theatre right next door, a jewel of German theatre architecture. The Kellertheater Casablanca with its 99 seats, which is just a footbridge away from the spa quarter, offers cabaret with German stars.

At and around these places of cultural interest there are celebrations and sports events all around the year, such as the unique Brückenfestival (Bridge Festival) or the traditional Bartholomäusmarkt (Bartholomäus Market) with its world-famous and internationally meaningful Blumenkorso (flower parade), which takes place every year on the last Sunday in August. The legendary Rosenball (Rose Ball) and big receptions attract people to come into the marble hall, where also TV recordings and talk-shows with prominent stars and starlets take place on a permanent basis. Spa concerts in the park and in the well hall guarantee entertaining afternoons. Schloss Balmoral, the house of the artists, is keen on experimenting. Artists from all over the world find an inspiring platform here for some months. Selected works of scholarship holders working over there decorate the so-called “Laden Nr. 5” throughout the year, the smallest exhibition pavilion between Cologne and Mainz.

Thousands of spectators get together at the Lahn banks when the legendary dragon boats compete against each other on the calm river on the occasion of the Brückenfestival (Bridge Festival). It is one of the very few regatta courses in Germany which offers a great view for the spectators, as the course completely runs through the city centre. This year, already the 122nd regatta took place here. It was carried out in the honour of Emperor Wilhelm I. at that time and is an experience for every visitor today. The nationally meaningful Thermen-Triathlon makes its thousands of visitors in the city centre or along the course at the river Lahn enthusiastic in summer. Friends of beautiful cars and motor sports think highly of the health resort’s scenery for the oldtimer and bike meetings in summer.

With the Jacques Offenbach Festival, Bad Ems offers a first-class concert event. Well-known artists and conductors come to Bad Ems each year, in order to celebrate the revival of the master’s works in the historical walls of the marble hall and the spa theatre, the original venues, as Jacques Offenbach had been working as first violinist in Bad Ems for more than twelve years. The highlight of the annual programme is the Blumenkorso (Flower Parade). For one day the streets of the historical bathing resort transform into a colourful and fragrant ocean made of innumerable flowers. The colourful parade, “Germany’s biggest rolling flower parade” and one of the biggest flower parades in the world, attracts people from far across the borders of Germany to come to the health resort. In front of the marvellous spa architecture the guests can experience a colour play “par excellence”. Another big event is planned for 2005. On June 10, 11 and 12, 2005 the entire German Bundesland Rheinland-Pfalz presents itself in Bad Ems for a duration of three days. On more than ten stages bands, comedians and cabaret artists will perform. Many societies will celebrate their dance and music art.