Exter rockt — Benefit Festival

10 Years of Exter rockt — Vlotho's Benefit Festival

The benefit festival “Exter rockt” is the largest open-air music festival in the Vlotho district of Exter, in the Herford district. In 2026, it will celebrate its 10th anniversary edition — a decade of volunteer work, local music, and community celebration. The festival is organized by Heinzelmännchen Vlotho e.V., an association that invests all proceeds in social projects for children and young people in the Vlotho area. Date 2026: Saturday, June 13. Venue: Sportpark Exter, Steinbrinkstraße 7, 32602 Vlotho.

Format — Seven Bands, Two Stages, One DJ

The concept has remained consistent since its inception: seven bands perform in quick succession on two stages, ensuring music plays almost continuously from the 1:30 PM gate opening until the DJ set concludes after 2 AM. The main stage (Stage 1), sponsored by Strategic IT, is reserved for the bigger acts; the second stage (Stage 2), sponsored by Beer Moments, hosts the changeovers and smaller slots. The musical spectrum ranges from indie rock to punk and ska, to classic rock covers — tailored to the local Ostwestfalen rock underground.

Program Structure on Saturday, June 13, 2026

• 1:30 PM — Gates open at Sportpark Exter
• 2:00 PM — Festival begins on Stage 2
• Alternating program between both stages throughout the afternoon and evening
• ~10:00 PM — Headliner on Stage 1
• ~12:00 AM — DJ set to wind down
• ~2:00 AM — Festival ends

Family Program — Children Under 14 Free

“Exter rockt” explicitly positions itself as family-friendly. Children under 14 receive free admission. A dedicated area is available for them with a bouncy castle, face painting, graffiti workshop, and football dart. This blend of a rock festival in the evening and a family summer festival in the afternoon makes “Exter rockt” a cross-generational event in the Vlotho summer calendar — those arriving with small children at 3 PM often stay until early evening, while teenagers and adults prefer the later headliner slot.

Vlotho-Exter — Home of Heinzelmännchen e.V.

Exter, with around 5,500 inhabitants, is the largest district of the town of Vlotho (Herford district, eastern North Rhine-Westphalia, on the Weser river). The Heinzelmännchen Vlotho e.V. was founded to finance locally anchored youth and social projects without relying on major sponsors. “Exter rockt” is its most important source of income for the year — the bands play for significantly reduced fees, and many helpers work on a voluntary basis. Anyone buying a ticket directly finances these projects.

Tickets and Travel

Tickets are available in advance for €14 + Eventim fees, and at the box office for €19. Local advance ticket outlets: EDEKA Wilke and Rewe Wenzel in Vlotho. Children under 14 free admission with a “Muttizettel” (downloadable from the festival website). Travel to Exter: A2 exit Vlotho, then follow signs for Sportpark. Public transport: Vlotho train station, then shuttle or bus.