Berkelfestival Stadtlohn

A Region Celebrates Its River

The Berkelfestival is more than just a normal town festival: it's part of an international festival series along the Berkel river, which flows from North Rhine-Westphalia into the Netherlands. Eight Berkelregion towns in Germany and the Netherlands annually organize alternating festivals to honor the river, its culture, and its habitat. Stadtlohn will host its 2026 edition from Wednesday, May 6th to Friday, May 8th, 2026 — in the town center around the Town Hall and St. Otger Church, and on Sunday along the Berkel to the Berkel bridge.

Program 2026 — Three Days, Three Focuses

Friday, May 8th — Youth Day

The opening day is dedicated to the town's younger community. Starting at 4:00 PM on the festival grounds:

• Graffiti workshops and spray sessions
• Photography activities and interactive stations
• Sports areas
• Beach area with sand and loungers
• Hip-Hop lineup: NLZN & Roman7, 3Plusss, headliner Umse starting at 10:00 PM

Saturday, May 9th — Children's and Family Day

A family-oriented day with a special focus on children:

• Children's program 2:00 PM–6:00 PM: Circus show, pirate bouncy castle, puppet theater
• Extended opening hours for town center shops until 6:00 PM
• Evening program: Local ensemble DRUMPETS and top cover band RECALL from Ahaus (from 7:00 PM)

Sunday, May 10th — Berkel Day

On Sunday, the festival area expands along Mühlenstraße to the Berkel bridge:

• 'Picnic over the Berkel' — Breakfast over the river (9:00 AM–11:30 AM)
• Coffee and cake in the afternoon
• Musical performances by regional groups
• Musical cabaret by Brieden & Waschk
• Beatles tribute band Kaiserkeller starting at 6:30 PM

Free Admission

Like all community festivals in the Berkelregion, the Stadtlohn Berkelfestival is completely free. Payment is only required at food stalls and for special workshops.

Stadtlohn in the Westmünsterland

Stadtlohn is a town with nearly 20,000 inhabitants in the Borken district, in the far west of Münsterland, near the Dutch border. The Berkel river flows through the town and shapes its landscape and identity. The Berkelfestival honors this river as a connecting element between the Westmünsterland and the Dutch Achterhoek.

Eight Berkelregion Towns Celebrate

Stadtlohn is one of eight towns in the Berkelregion cooperation that organize festivals to honor the Berkel river. On the German side: Stadtlohn, Vreden, Gescher, Coesfeld, Billerbeck. On the Dutch side: Eibergen, Lochem, Borculo. Detailed programs for all eight towns: berkelfestival.eu.