DAS FEST Karlsruhe

Southern Germany's Largest Family Festival

DAS FEST in Karlsruhe is one of Germany's largest and oldest open-air festivals — founded in 1985 by Stadtjugendausschuss Karlsruhe e.V., it is now a four-day multi-genre festival held in the spacious Günther-Klotz-Anlage in western Karlsruhe. With around 200,000 visitors per edition and a unique combination of a paid main stage program and over 70 percent of the festival area freely accessible, it is Southern Germany's largest family festival.

2026 Line-up — Headliner Overview

The musical spectrum is impressive, ranging from rock to hip-hop to pop:

• Beatsteaks — Berlin indie-rock icons, festival favorites
• Nico Santos — Pop star with Swiss roots
• Max Herre & Joy Denalane — Stuttgart Massive hip-hop legends, soul crossover with Joy Denalane
• Disarstar — Hamburg rapper, political and energetic
• Leony — Bavarian pop singer
• Blood Red Shoes — British garage-rock duo
• Zartmann
• Plus other acts on the main stage, the Kultur-Bühne, the Feld-Bühne, and the FEST-Floor

Multi-Stage Concept

DAS FEST has a unique multi-stage concept:

• Main Stage — Headliner concerts, paid tickets
• Kultur-Bühne (Culture Stage) — smaller acts, theater, comedy, free entry
• Feld-Bühne (Field Stage) — mid-range bands, free entry
• FEST-Floor — electronic music, DJ sets, free entry
• DAS FEST AM SEE (DAS FEST by the Lake) — separate beach area by the lake
• DAS FEST am Schlachthof (DAS FEST at the Slaughterhouse) — off-site events in the Schlachthof area
• Sparda Sports Park — sports and activity area
• Mount Klassik — classical concerts
• India Summer Days — Indian cultural and food program
• Duck Race — family charity event on the water

This diversity explains the family concept: from classical music fans to rock listeners, from children to seniors — every generation finds its program.

Social Engagement: "Take A Stand"

DAS FEST is a member of the European festival alliance "Take A Stand", comprising over 150 institutions. The alliance advocates for "social engagement, tolerance, and humanity" — visible at the festival through workshops, NGO stands, diversity initiatives, and a comprehensive anti-discrimination concept.

Tickets and Free Area

The festival has a mixed payment model: Main stage tickets are paid (day and festival passes), with over 70% of the events freely accessible. Those who don't attend the main stage can still experience a full festival weekend — four days in the Günther-Klotz-Anlage with concerts, theater, sports, markets, and food.

Getting There and Venue

The Günther-Klotz-Anlage is accessible by Karlsruhe tram (S2, S5) — 15 minutes from the main train station. From Stuttgart, Mannheim, Frankfurt, it's 1–2 hours by IC/ICE to Karlsruhe, then tram. By car, take the A 5/A 8, with park-and-ride recommended.