Campus Open Air Lübeck (COAL)

From a solidarity campaign to a festival brand

COAL originated in 2011 as part of the campaign Lübeck kämpft (Lübeck Fights), during which students at the University of Lübeck protested against the closure of their university. As a thank you from the student body for the solidarity of the city and its citizens, an open festival was organized on campus – free of charge, for everyone. This one-time event has become a firm annual tradition, now a staple of Lübeck's May calendar.

University of Lübeck – an extraordinary campus

The university campus is located in Lübeck-St. Jürgen, about 3 km southeast of the old town, nestled within the Lübeck University Hospital and surrounded by green spaces. The area between the Audimax and Mensa transforms into a festival backdrop once a year: three stages, food trucks, drink stands, and the typical, relaxed student flair create the atmosphere.

Three stages, diverse program genres

Typically, 15 or more acts perform on the three stages – mostly Indie, Rock, Pop, Singer-Songwriter, Funk, Hip-Hop, as well as acoustic sets and band contests. In 2025, acts included Power Plush, Cristel Sellliah, and Carla Ahad. A special feature of COAL is the combination of musical acts with literary and performance formats: Poetry Slams, Band Slams, and Singer-Songwriter competitions are integral parts.

Anti-Hate Zone

The festival explicitly positions itself as a «Hate Free Zone»: All guests should feel welcome regardless of their identity, orientation, or origin. This attitude shapes both the organizing team (supported by the AStA and volunteer students) and the audience.

Free admission – a statement

Despite its size – COAL is considered one of the largest festivals in the state of Schleswig-Holstein – admission has remained free since its inception. The festival is financed by sponsors, the AStA, and the sale of food and drinks on-site. No registration is required.