Familienfest800 — Kurparkfestival 800 Years Hamm

HAMM800 — 800 Years City Anniversary

The city of Hamm in Westphalia (approx. 180,000 inhabitants) is celebrating its 800th city anniversary in 2026. In 1226, Hamm received city rights from Count Adolf I of the Mark — a political date that traces the city's eight-hundred-year history as a municipal entity. For this occasion, a year-long HAMM800 program will run in 2026, featuring concerts, exhibitions, folk festivals (Volksfeste), theater, sports events, and family formats. One of the highlights of this program is the Kurparkfestival800 — a three-day open-air festival in Hamm's Kurpark from July 24 to 26, 2026, with Familienfest800 as the closing event on Sunday.

Kurparkfestival800 — Three Days of Anniversary Festival

The festival is one of the highlights of the HAMM800 year. Three days of open-air program:

• Friday, July 24, 2026 — Opening concert with Michael Patrick Kelly on his "Traces" Tour. The former Kelly Family singer, now a successful solo artist, will present his latest album. Ticket required.
• Saturday, July 25, 2026 — kAPElle30 SOMMA, the anniversary concert celebrating 30 years on stage for the Hamm band Kapelle Petra, described by the organizers as "the biggest 'Somma' ever." Guest appearances by friends' bands. Ticket required, with an extension to the Kulturrevier Radbod for the traditional parade.
• Sunday, July 26, 2026 — Familienfest800: The free admission closing event of the festival weekend. The Kurhausgarten will become an open play and music area for families and children. For everyone, without a concert ticket.

Familienfest800 — The Open Day

While the first two festival days require concert admission, the Familienfest800 Sunday is deliberately designed as an open day for the entire population of Hamm. Free admission, everyone welcome — whether concertgoers from previous days or Hamm families simply wanting to spend Sunday in the park. Program focus:

• Playground expansion — the Kurhausgarten will be equipped with additional play stations, bouncy castles, and interactive areas
• Children's concerts — stage program with artists from the children's and family music sector
• Workshops and hands-on activities — craft activities, science stations, sports try-out stations
• Gastronomy and picnic — food stalls and family picnic areas
• Cultural contributions — performances by Hamm clubs, schools, and music schools

The Kurhausgarten as a Venue

The Kurhausgarten Hamm is the central park surrounding the former spa house in the south of Hamm. With its paths, meadows, old trees, and central location between the city center and recreational areas, it offers the ideal setting for a family festival of this magnitude. The festival area will extend beyond the park into the Kulturrevier Radbod, particularly for Saturday's parade.

800 Years Hamm — Program Until End of 2026

The Kurparkfestival800 is part of the year-long HAMM800 anniversary program. Other highlights spread throughout 2026 include district festivals in all Hamm districts, special exhibitions at the Gustav Lübcke Museum, historical city tours, a parade for the city's birthday, and a variety of school and club projects. All dates at hamm.de/800.