Fantastival Dinslaken 2026

Dinslaken — City at the Rhine-Lower Rhine Hub

Dinslaken, a city of around 71,000 inhabitants in the Wesel district on the lower Rhine, is located directly on the Rhine, at the mouth of the Emscher river. The city is a former mining heritage city, a transport hub, and for years has been one of the most vibrant medium-sized cities between the Ruhr area and the Netherlands. In the historic city center stands the Castle Theatre with its famous Castle Courtyard — one of the most beautiful open-air venues in West Germany. The Fantastival has been held here for over two decades: a voluntarily organized summer festival that has become a cultural calling card for Dinslaken.

25 Years of Voluntary Commitment

The Fantastival is a voluntarily organized festival — supported by a team of Dinslaken citizens who plan the program year after year without profit motive, book artists, set up stage technology, and work voluntarily in front of and behind the scenes. In 2026, the Fantastival celebrates its 25th anniversary — a quarter-century in which the festival has grown from a small open-air format into a regionally known concert highlight on the lower Rhine.

Castle Theatre and Castle Courtyard — The Venue

The venue is the Dinslaken Castle Theatre with its adjoining Castle Courtyard: a historic complex with an open-air stage, fixed seating, and an atmosphere that many artists explicitly praise. With a capacity of over 1,600 seats, the Castle Courtyard is large enough for established stars but small enough for an intimate concert atmosphere — a combination that is rare in the German open-air market.

The 2026 Lineup — A Summer Festival at its Best

Thursday, July 16 — Max Herre & Joy Denalane

The double concert of the German soul and hip-hop power couple: Max Herre (formerly Freundeskreis) and Joy Denalane, one of the most important German soul singers. Probably the most stylistically cohesive concert of this year's edition.

Friday, July 17 — Salut Salon

The Hamburg string quartet Salut Salon plays classical music in a crossover style — virtuosic, theatrical, with humor and show elements that transform classical concerts into spectacular live performances.

Saturday, July 18 — CLOCKCLOCK (sold out)

The German pop band CLOCKCLOCK from the Munich area — sold-out concert for the younger audience.

Monday, July 20 — Bonnie Tyler

The Welsh rock legend Bonnie Tyler (73 years old) — one of the absolute highlights of the season. With songs like "Total Eclipse of the Heart" and "Holding Out for a Hero", she shaped the rock-pop of the 80s and 90s and is performing in Germany again after a long time.

Tuesday, July 21 — Rudelsingen (sold out)

The Rudelsingen format: collective singing under guidance — not a concert, but a sing-along event for several hundred people. Sold out because the format is met with great enthusiasm.

Wednesday, July 22 — Gipsy Kings feat. Nicolas Reyes

The Gipsy Kings with Nicolas Reyes — flamenco-pop classics that have shaped generations with songs like "Bamboleo" and "Djobi Djoba". Open-air atmosphere guaranteed.

Thursday, July 23 — Christine Westermann

The Cologne-based writer and long-time TV presenter Christine Westermann with a mix of readings, chats, and book presentations.

Friday, July 24 — Max Giesinger (sold out)

The German pop singer-songwriter Max Giesinger — with hits like "80 Millionen" and "Wenn sie tanzt". Sold out — the audience is diverse, from teenagers to adults.

Saturday, July 25 — Sommernacht des Musicals (sold out)

Festival finale with the Sommernacht des Musicals — a cross-section of the most famous musical songs of recent decades, sung by soloists from German musical productions. A classic of the Fantastival program and the traditional closing event.

Ticket Prices

Ticket prices range from €50 to €73 depending on the concert. Order via the Fantastival ticket shop and common advance booking offices in the region. Several concerts are already sold out (CLOCKCLOCK, Rudelsingen, Max Giesinger, Sommernacht des Musicals) — early booking is recommended.

Travel and Practical Information

The Castle Theatre is located in the heart of Dinslaken's city center. Train: Dinslaken station (RB 35, RE 5), 10 minutes on foot to the Castle Theatre. Car: A3 exit Dinslaken-Süd, then follow city center signs, parking garages are signposted. Contact: 02064 42 444 62 or [email protected].