Biggesee Open Air

Biggesee Open Air — Open Air by the Water in the Sauerland

The Biggesee Open Air is one of North Rhine-Westphalia's most spectacular festivals. From June 3rd to 7th, 2026, major concerts will take place on five consecutive evenings at the Sonderner Kopf lido directly on the Biggesee in Olpe. Up to 15,000 visitors per evening will experience concerts with a view of the lake, with a stage built over the water. The concept: a different music genre each evening, from US Rock to Mallorca Party to Schlager — something for every taste.

Wednesday, June 3rd — Papa Roach

The US rockers Papa Roach will kick things off on Wednesday, June 3rd. The band, fronted by Jacoby Shaddix, has been performing since the late 1990s and has written classics like "Last Resort" and "Scars." Their loud, energetic sound is a perfect fit for the opening at Biggesee.

Thursday, June 4th — Olpe Olé

On Thursday, June 4th, Olpe Olé takes over — the ultimate Mallorca party in the Sauerland. Lineup: Mia Julia, HBz, Mickie Krause, Julian Sommer, and other acts from the Ballermann scene. Sangria, party hits, German Schlager, and electronic mixes — the loudest evening of the festival.

Friday, June 5th — Roxette

The grand pop moment on Friday, June 5th, is delivered by Roxette. The Swedish pop legends with global hits like "The Look," "Listen to Your Heart," "Joyride," and "It Must Have Been Love" will perform here in a newly assembled formation — Marie Fredriksson passed away in 2019, and Per Gessle has continued the Roxette project with a new singer. A nostalgic evening for everyone who grew up in the 80s and 90s.

Saturday, June 6th — German Rap Night: Sido, Bausa, Tom Gregory, MilleniumKid

Saturday, June 6th, is Hip-Hop night: Sido (one of the pioneers of German rap, since Aggro Berlin), Bausa (with hits like "Was du Liebe nennst"), Tom Gregory (English Pop), and MilleniumKid will share the stage. The evening with the highest anticipation for a young audience.

Sunday, June 7th — Andrea Berg

The finale on Sunday, June 7th, features Andrea Berg. The Swabian Schlager queen has been one of Germany's best-selling artists for two decades and usually fills large arenas. At Biggesee, she performs open-air by the lake — a beautiful closing for a festival that caters to all genres.

Sonderner Kopf Lido — Stage by the Lake

The Sonderner Kopf lido is located on the western shore of the Biggesee, about 5 km northwest of Olpe. It's a peninsula jutting into the lake — the stage is built directly on the water, overlooking the lake. For VIP guests, there's a floating platform directly in front of the stage and a passenger ship cruising on the lake during the concert — a premium experience with catering and exclusive views.

Olpe and the Biggesee — The Sauerland Highlight

The Biggesee, created in the 1960s as a drinking water reservoir, is the largest reservoir in North Rhine-Westphalia with 8.76 km² — and one of the most important tourist attractions in the southern Sauerland. Olpe, with around 25,000 inhabitants, is the district capital on the north shore. During the Open Air, all hotels and guesthouses in the region are fully booked — early reservation recommended.