CHEATDAY Streetfood Festival at Biggesee

Streetfood at Biggesee — Premiere with Mountain Panorama

Olpe, with around 25,000 inhabitants, is the district town of the Olpe district (Arnsberg administrative district, Sauerland), located on the southern shore of the Biggesee — one of North Rhine-Westphalia's most beautiful reservoirs. The lake, fed by the Bigge river, is a popular local recreation area for the Ruhr region and the Bergisches Land. The Sondern Lakeside Promenade on the southwestern shore has served as the venue for the CHEATDAY Streetfood Festival since 2024 — in its 3rd edition in 2026.

Pentecost Weekend — Four Days of Festival

In 2026, the festival will utilize the Pentecost weekend (May 22-25) for four continuous days of street food enjoyment by the lake. Whit Sunday (May 24th) and Whit Monday (May 25th) are public holidays — the city of Olpe is using this constellation for an extended festival weekend that attracts families and Sauerland tourists.

Opening Hours 2026

• Friday, May 22nd, 2026: 5:00 PM - 10:00 PM — After-work atmosphere
• Saturday, May 23rd, 2026: 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM — Main visitor day
• Sunday, May 24th, 2026 (Whit Sunday): 12:00 PM - 10:00 PM
• Whit Monday, May 25th, 2026: 12:00 PM - 7:00 PM — Festival winding down

Around a Dozen Food Trucks

The festival features a manageable lineup: around a dozen food trucks from the Sauerland region, the Ruhr area, and national providers. The assortment includes the classic street food variety: burger variations (classic, vegetarian, vegan), Korean Bulgogi, Vietnamese specialties, Latin American classics (Tacos, Empanadas), sweet stalls (Crêpes, Stroopwafels, Berliner doughnuts), and several cocktail/drink trucks.

Gourmet Vouchers as a Promotion

A special feature of the Olpe festival is the gourmet vouchers, which are raffled in advance in the city — the city of Olpe and the Sauerländer Lokalplus-Verlag have launched prize draws in recent years where visitors can win gourmet vouchers for the festival. This promotion strengthens pre-event awareness and offers special added value to Olpe citizens.

Atmosphere by the Lake

The Sondern Lakeside Promenade is one of the most beautiful promenades on the Biggesee — with views across the water to the forested slopes of the Sauerland. In May/June, the weather is typically mild, the trees are freshly green, and the water is still calm before the main season. This atmosphere distinguishes the CHEATDAY Festival from urban street food events and makes it a family-friendly local recreation outing.

Getting There

Olpe-Sondern is accessible by car via the A 45 (Olpe exit) and the L 728 to the Sondern Lakeside Promenade. About 1 hour's drive from Cologne, 45-60 minutes from the Ruhr area. Public transport: from Olpe train station, take Sauerland-Verkehrs bus line 547 to the Sondern stop. Those combining the festival with a day of recreation can also enjoy hiking on the Biggesee circular trails, boat trips with the Biggesee shipping company, or cycling on the Bigge-Lenne cycle path.