Bergneustadt 725 Years Festival 2026

Bergneustadt — the Bergisch city with Renaissance heritage

Bergneustadt, with around 18,000 inhabitants, is a city in the Oberbergischer Kreis, picturesquely located between Cologne and the Sauerland region in the Bergisches Land. Founded in 1301 as a planned city to secure the rule of the Counts of Berg, Bergneustadt is one of the oldest planned cities in the Rhineland — a rectangular street grid that still reveals the medieval city layout today. The old town with its half-timbered houses is one of the most beautiful in the Bergisches Land. In 2026, Bergneustadt turns 725 years old — and celebrates this with one of the most ambitious city anniversaries in NRW this year.

The Festival Week — 5 Days of Program

From May 13th to 17th, 2026, the Bergneustadt city center will transform into a continuous festival mile. The festival committee — supported by the city, Bergneustadt's club life, and many volunteers — has put together a program that appeals to all age groups.

Wednesday, May 13th, 2026 — Festive Opening

Opening of the festival week by the mayor in the festival tent, traditional Bergisch coffee spread, first concerts of the program, festive welcome of the delegations from the Neustadt partner cities.

Thursday, May 14th, 2026 — Start of the 48th Neustadt Meeting

Opening of the 48th Neustadt Meeting in Europe — the annual gathering of European cities with the name component Neustadt. Delegates from 8 countries (Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Netherlands, Belgium, France, Italy, others) will convene, exchange ideas, and participate in the entire festival week program.

Friday, May 15th, 2026 — Dr. Motte Rave

Highlight for the younger generation: a rave with Dr. Motte in the festival tent. Dr. Motte (real name Matthias Roeingh) is a German techno icon — co-founder and long-time DJ of the Loveparade, one of the most influential figures in German techno history. His appearance in Bergneustadt is a statement: city anniversary doesn't just mean traditional costumes and heritage, but also contemporary subculture.

Saturday, May 16th, 2026 — Grand Parade

The absolute highlight of the week: 2,700 participants in 54 groups from 8 countries will march through the city center of Bergneustadt in a Grand Parade several kilometers long. Marksmen's associations, marching bands, historical floats, traditional costume groups, friendly Neustadt delegations, local clubs, horse-drawn carriages, decorated vehicles — a spectacle of this magnitude is rare in a small town and unique for Bergneustadt. In the evening, a Queen tribute band will perform in the festival tent — stadium rock under the marquee, for around 3,500 visitors.

Sunday, May 17th, 2026 — Festival Finale

Ecumenical festival service, morning pint with the clubs, family program, conclusion of the Neustadt Meeting, festive farewell to the delegations, festival finale in the evening in the festival tent.

Medieval Market and Art in the City

Parallel to the main program, two thematic strands will run:

Medieval Market

A medieval market in the old town commemorates Bergneustadt's founding date of 1301. Craftsmen in historical costumes, medieval music, jugglers, mead, and stick bread — a small journey back in time alongside the contemporary festival program.

“Art in the City” with 30 Artists

30 artists from Bergneustadt, the Oberbergischer Kreis, and friendly Neustadt cities will showcase their works in the public urban space — sculptures in squares, installations in shop windows, performances at prominent locations. The Art-in-the-City event transforms the festival week into a true cultural festival that goes beyond a mere folk festival.

The 48th Neustadt Meeting — The European Dimension

A special feature of the festival week: the 48th Neustadt Meeting in Europe, taking place concurrently in Bergneustadt from May 14th to 17th. The Neustadt Meeting is an annual gathering of European cities whose name contains the component Neustadt — from Wiener Neustadt in Austria to Nieuwstadt in the Netherlands and Neuville in France. Delegations come from 8 countries and participate in the entire festival program. A rare constellation that makes Bergneustadt internationally visible.

Tickets and Admission

Daytime events (medieval market, art in the city, parade, many hours in the festival tent) are free of charge. The evening concerts in the festival tent (Queen tribute band Sat, Dr. Motte rave Fri) are ticketed. Tickets are available in advance via 725-jahre-bergneustadt.de and Bergisch Live.

Arrival and Practical Information

Bergneustadt is located about 60 km east of Cologne. Car: A4 or A45 towards Olpe, then exit Bergneustadt. Public transport: Bus connections from Cologne-Mülheim, Gummersbach, and Olpe. During the festival week, additional park-and-ride facilities and shuttle buses will be set up — details on the festival website.