BURGBEBEN STRNBRG — Youth Culture Festival

Three Days of Castle, Forest, and Subculture

Imagine a festival right in the middle of a medieval castle — at an altitude of 315 meters, with panoramic views over the Lipperland, and castle walls serving as a natural stage backdrop. This is exactly what BURGBEBEN STRNBRG is, held annually at Burg Sternberg in Extertal. 2026 marks the fifth edition of the festival, which has become a staple in the youth culture scene of Nordlippe since its premiere in 2022.

From Workshop Day to Drum & Bass

The program spans three days — and it's intentionally diverse:

• Friday, June 5th — Workshop Day: creative formats, hands-on activities, an accessible introduction to the festival
• Saturday, June 6th — Open Air in the afternoon and evening: DJ sets and live acts ranging from singer-songwriter, reggae, and dancehall; concurrently, an art and culture mile featuring local artists
• Saturday evening from 9:30 PM — the floors open: Drum & Bass, Techno, Dancehall until the early morning hours — for ages 18 and up

“From Friends for Friends”

BURGBEBEN STRNBRG is non-commercial. The festival is backed by an alliance of Kulturstellwerk Nordlippe, Dörentruper Jugendarbeit, and Kreis Lippe — supported by partners like JuKulEx e.V., Landesverband Lippe, Klangheimlich Kollektiv, and Ev. Jugend Lippe. The goal: a festival by and for young people that makes youth culture visible in a rural region — and shows that subculture doesn't just thrive in Cologne or Berlin, but also in Lipperland.

Burg Sternberg — A Festival Location Like No Other

Burg Sternberg is a hilltop castle over 800 years old, built in 1226 by the Counts of Lippe. It sits enthroned on a prominent ridge above the Bega valley — offering far-reaching views over the Teutoburg Forest and the Weser Uplands. The site is now used for cultural events (castle concerts, weddings, functions) and provides the festival with an atmosphere that no urban festival site can match.

Travel by Bus from Lemgo

The castle is secluded — and that's part of its charm. Those without a car can take bus lines 800 or 802 from Lemgo towards Extertal. Arriving by car, you park in the valley and walk up the final slope — the ascent itself is part of the festival experience. Payment on-site is in cash; 200 and 500 Euro notes are not accepted.

Extertal — on the Northern Edge of Kreis Lippe

The municipality of Extertal is located in the far north of Kreis Lippe, on the border with Lower Saxony, right in the heart of the Teutoburg Forest. With around 11,000 inhabitants, Extertal is a rural scattered settlement — forests, meadows, small villages. Burg Sternberg is by far the most striking landmark in the region.