Dorsten Choir Festival

A Celebration of Song in Dorsten's Old Town

The Dorstener Chorfestival is arguably the most charming summer festival in the Old Town: instead of a large stage with ensembles performing one after another, four historic venues become concert halls simultaneously. The audience moves between them — hence the name Wandelkonzerte. In 2026, the 12th edition will take place as part of Dorsten's anniversary celebrations.

Date and Concept

Date: Saturday, June 13, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Four concert sessions start every half hour: 5:00 PM | 5:30 PM | 6:00 PM | 6:30 PM. Each session lasts about 25 minutes, after which the audience has time to walk to the next venue — through Dorsten's narrow, quiet Old Town — before the next block begins.

Four Venues within Walking Distance

• Jewish Museum Westfalen — part of the festival for the first time in 2026; modern foyer with excellent acoustics
• St. Ursula's Ursuline Church — Catholic parish church, intimate Old Town atmosphere
• St. John's Protestant Church — neo-Gothic hall church with clear acoustics
• St. Anna's Franciscan Church — Franciscan church, high vaulted ceiling, grand acoustics

All four locations are within a radius of about 400 meters in the Old Town — perfect for walking between concerts.

Choirs from Dorsten and the Surrounding Area

Choirs from the region are invited — from sacred music choirs and classical chamber choirs to youth choirs, pop, and gospel ensembles. Registration is through Stadtagentur Dorsten on a 'first come, first served' basis. The musical spectrum ranges from Renaissance motets and German folk songs to contemporary choral music and pop arrangements.

Free Admission — Donations Welcome

The festival is free. Donations for the choirs are collected at the exits of each venue — many ensembles use these funds for travel, vocal training, and sheet music. The choirs themselves volunteer their time.

Part of the Altstadtfest

The Choir Festival is part of the Altstadtfest Dorsten (Old Town Festival) held the same weekend — afterwards, the streets continue with street food, live music, and family activities. Those who arrive tend to stay: two hours of concerts often turn into a whole summer evening in the Old Town.

Dorsten

Dorsten is located in the northern part of the Recklinghausen district — at the transition between the Ruhr area and Münsterland. With around 75,000 inhabitants, the city is large enough to maintain a vibrant cultural life and small enough to retain its atmosphere. The Old Town, with its medieval layout, is the setting for many summer festivals.