Amphoria Open Air — Techno Festival Kevelaer

Lower Rhine Techno with International Appeal

Anyone who would have associated techno with the pilgrimage town of Kevelaer would have met with confused looks a few years ago. But since 2023, Amphoria Open Air has developed into one of the most exciting open-air festivals in the Lower Rhine region — a techno festival in the middle of nature, organized by the event agency UselessGuys GmbH, which is entering its third edition with the 2026 festival. On Saturday, August 29, 2026, the festival expects up to 4,000 guests in the Schwarzer Bruch nature reserve on Weller Landstraße.

Two Stages: Forest Stage & Local Hero Stage

Amphoria's stage concept deliberately focuses on two contrasting areas. The Forest Stage features international headliners under old trees — a forest-like atmosphere with dense lighting technology and an "Open Air Cathedral" character. The Local Hero Stage is reserved for regional acts, including winners of the in-house DJ contest from Kevelaer and the surrounding area. A total of 16 acts are on the bill — a curated mix of international stars and local talents.

Line-up 2026: Kölsch, Kröcher, Moonbootica & More

The Forest Stage 2026 offers a line-up that can compete with larger festivals in the country. The headliner is Danish techno producer Kölsch (9:00 PM–11:00 PM), known for iconic tracks like "Grey" or "Cassiopeia." He will be followed by German techno veteran Felix Kröcher (11:00 PM–12:30 AM), and then DrumComplex (12:30 AM–2:00 AM). Before them, Moonbootica (7:30 PM–9:00 PM), LOVRA (6:00 PM–7:30 PM), Christopher Bongard (4:00 PM–6:00 PM), and Steff da Campo (2:00 PM–4:00 PM) will warm up the audience. On the Local Hero Stage, LEWA, Faarstuff, Maddis, Nitrax, Jos&Lenn, and Hochpotent will perform — a stage that has already boosted newcomer careers in recent years.

Schwarzer Bruch Nature Reserve

The festival grounds are located in the Schwarzer Bruch nature reserve between Kevelaer and Weeze. Forests, meadows, and natural clearings shape the atmosphere — far from industrial areas or cityscapes that many techno festivals use. Throughout the day and night, a unique interplay of sunset at the edge of the forest and nocturnal light shows under the trees emerges. Arrival is via shuttle buses from Kevelaer train station.

Pre-Party and Festival Season 2026

Anticipation is palpable even before the festival: An official pre-party on April 11, 2026, will set the mood for the summer with a smaller line-up — tickets for it were almost sold out in spring 2026, according to Kevelaerer Blatt. Those who attended in 2025 (the festival took place on June 21, 2025) know the mix of street food, visuals, chill-out areas, and 16 carefully curated acts. In 2026, the concept will be further developed with sound design, new stage architecture, and an expanded catering area.

Kevelaer on the Lower Rhine

Kevelaer (around 28,000 inhabitants) is located in the Kleve district in North Rhine-Westphalia, directly on the Dutch border. The town is primarily known as a significant Catholic Marian pilgrimage site — up to 800,000 pilgrims visit the Chapel of Grace annually. With Amphoria, Kevelaer is positioning itself as a surprising hub for electronic festival culture on the Lower Rhine.