Bunt oder Blau – The Infinite Festival
Crossover festival between Free Jazz, Future Soul, and bass-heavy Electronica in the industrial setting of Dortmund Harbour – 2026 marks the 5-year anniversary
About Bunt oder Blau
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The Infinite Festival at Dortmund Harbour
Dortmund Harbour is Germany's largest inland port and has been an experimental industrial area for years: amidst repurposed warehouses, some industrial wastelands, and JunkYard – an open-air venue at the harbour – Bunt oder Blau finds a fitting setting every year. The festival calls itself "the infinite festival" – a nod to its genre-open, fluid programming that defies categorization.
5 Years Buntyversary – the 2026 Edition
In 2026, the festival celebrates its 5th anniversary under the title "5 YEARS BoB – THE BUNTYVERSARY". The festival collective itself is the organiser, financially supported by the Dortmund Cultural Office and programme funders from the NRW pop sector. This year's edition takes place on August 22, 2026, at the former KNAUF site in the harbour.
What You'll Experience at the Festival
Bunt oder Blau focuses on well-curated acts rather than mainstream headliners. Confirmed for 2026 are, among others:
- Secret Night Gang (Manchester) – an ensemble discovered by Gilles Peterson, blending "British street soul with fresh influences"; nominated "Best Band 2021" by JazzFM
- POLARBÆREN x LA NEFERA – a crossover performance between Electronica and Latin Rap, "Climate Jazz meets Latin Rap"
- THEODOR – Sweet Soul act with the current album HOLOCENE, with influences from Air and 70s Funk
- JJO Schweiz – a youth jazz orchestra of over 20 members from Switzerland with the programme No Bystanders, addressing societal issues in a big band format
In addition, there will be live concerts on two stages, DJ sets during breaks, live tattoos, a "Kids Rave" in the afternoon, and food vendors on the festival grounds.
The Concept – "BoB" as a Collective
Behind Bunt oder Blau is a collective of young cultural creators from Dortmund and the Ruhr area who identified a gap between Juicy Beats (mainstream pop) and classical/jazz festivals. The slogan "Bunt oder Blau" (Colourful or Blue) is not explained by the festival itself – it represents the spectrum: colourful (genre-open, diverse, all identities) OR blue (melancholic, contemplative, jazz-influenced). The curation concept focuses on newcomers and international hidden gems alongside some more established acts.
Dortmund – Festival City in the Ruhr Area
Dortmund, with around 600,000 inhabitants, is the largest city in the eastern Ruhr area. The festival spectrum ranges from mainstream Juicy Beats to Mayday in the Westfalenhallen complex, and small, alternative formats at the harbour. Bunt oder Blau clearly belongs to the third category – thus filling a gap in NRW's musical festival calendar.
Bunt oder Blau — edition 2026
The anniversary edition in 2026 presents the evolved festival in its most mature form: two stages, a curated line-up with international guests and newcomers, plus live tattoos and a "Kids Rave" in the afternoon. The venue is the former KNAUF site near JunkYard at Dortmund Harbour.
Programme Bunt oder Blau 2026
Confirmed Line-up Bunt oder Blau August 22, 2026
- Secret Night Gang (Manchester) – British street soul with jazz influences; discovered by Gilles Peterson, JazzFM Nominee "Best Band 2021"
- POLARBÆREN x LA NEFERA – Crossover performance "Climate Jazz meets Latin Rap", unique co-performance
- THEODOR – Sweet Soul act with the album HOLOCENE, with influences from Air, 70s Funk, and Soul
- JJO Schweiz – Over 20-member youth jazz orchestra from Switzerland with the programme No Bystanders; combines big band, experimentation, and collective expression
Further Programme Elements
- DJ sets between live acts
- Live tattoo stands
- Kids Rave in the afternoon – child-friendly dance format
- Food trucks and bars on the industrial site
Schedule
- Afternoon — Entry and Kids Rave
- Late Afternoon — JJO Schweiz opens the concert programme
- Early Evening — THEODOR and POLARBÆREN x LA NEFERA
- Late Evening — Secret Night Gang as headliner
- Night — DJ sets until late
Highlights Bunt oder Blau 2026
- 5th Buntyversary – 5 Years of Bunt oder Blau
- Secret Night Gang from Manchester (JazzFM Nominee)
- POLARBÆREN x LA NEFERA – "Climate Jazz meets Latin Rap"
- THEODOR with the current album HOLOCENE
- JJO Schweiz – 20+ member youth jazz orchestra
- Industrial atmosphere at Dortmund Harbour
- Live tattoo stands and Kids Rave
Prices Bunt oder Blau 2026
Tickets via buntoderblau.de and Rausgegangen. Discounted tickets for students, trainees, and pupils.
Practical information — Bunt oder Blau
Getting There
Take the U41 subway or bus lines 408/420 to the Dortmund Hafen stop. By car, take the A40 (Dortmund Hafen exit) or the A45, then follow signs to Speicherstraße. Parking is available at the harbour and in surrounding areas.
Tickets
Tickets available via buntoderblau.de and Rausgegangen. Discounted tickets for students, trainees, and pupils.
Entry and Programme
Entry in the afternoon, live programme until late evening. The exact schedule will be published on the festival website shortly before the event.
On Site
Two stages, several bars, food trucks, tattoo stands, chill-out zones. Card payment accepted at most stalls.
Tips
For first-time visitors: check the stage changes in advance – the acts are often surprisingly diverse in genre and style. The atmosphere at the former KNAUF site has an industrial charm – sturdy shoes are recommended.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Bunt oder Blau al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Bunt oder Blau
JunkYard Dortmund – ex-KNAUF-Gelände, Dortmunder Hafen
ex-KNAUF-Gelände, Dortmunder Hafen, 44145 Dortmund