Cuban Night at Schloss Strünkede

Caribbean Night at the Moated Castle

When, on a summer evening in Herne, the courtyard of Schloss Strünkede is bathed in warm light and the first salsa beats begin, it's time: Cuban Night. On Saturday, July 25, 2026, starting at 6:30 PM, the historic 16th-century moated castle transforms into a Caribbean dance floor – one of the most unusual and atmospheric concert venues in the Ruhr area.

Live: Marcando from Cologne

The music is provided by the international salsa formation Marcando from Cologne. The orchestra plays old and new salsa classics from Colombia, Venezuela, Puerto Rico, Cuba, and New York, as well as their own pieces. Marcando has been a fixture in the West German Latin scene for years and guarantees an authentic Latin atmosphere – from fast-paced mambos to slow boleros.

Dancing Explicitly Encouraged

Unlike classic concert formats, Cuban Night is a dance event. For those who are unsure: Before the concert, there will be a dance introduction teaching the basic steps of Salsa and Bachata. This way, everyone can join the dance floor in the castle courtyard.

Strünkede Summer 2026

Cuban Night is part of the Strünkede Summer, the annual summer event series organized by the city of Herne in the castle park and courtyard of Schloss Strünkede. Five months of culture at the castle is the motto in the program booklet – from May to September, concerts, dance events, theater performances, and open-air cinema take place under the open sky. Cuban Night is one of the regular annual highlights of the series.

Schloss Strünkede — A Place Rich in History

Schloss Strünkede is a 16th-century moated castle, with roots tracing back to a medieval fortress. Today, it houses the Emschertal Museum. Nestled in the castle park with moats and old trees, the ensemble offers an extraordinary setting for open-air events – much more intimate than typical concert halls, much richer in atmosphere than most summer stages.

Herne in the Northern Ruhr Area

Herne (approx. 156,000 inhabitants) is located in the northern Ruhr area, between Bochum, Gelsenkirchen, and Recklinghausen. The city was once a major mining center – today it is one of the most densely populated cities in Germany (nearly 3,000 inhabitants/km²). With the Cranger Kirmes, Herne hosts one of Germany's largest Volksfeste (popular festivals); with the Strünkede Summer, it complements its cultural program with more intimate formats.