Folkfield Festival

Medieval, Folk, and Rock by the Canal

Since its premiere in 2023, the Folkfield Festival has established itself as a fixture in the Folk and Medieval Rock scene of the western Ruhr area – now, 2026 marks the 4th edition. The venue is the Amphitheater Gelsenkirchen, a spectacular open-air theater right on the Rhine-Herne Canal, one of the most beautiful concert locations in the Ruhr area.

Date, Format, and Organizers

In 2026, the festival runs on Friday, September 11th, and Saturday, September 12th. The organizer is Headline Concerts, presented by Sonic Seducer, metal.de, and Radio Bob. Advance ticket sales started on November 21st, 2025, via powerticket.de and all known ticket outlets. Single day ticket: €80, festival pass for both days: €130 – camping is available.

Line-up – Schandmaul Both Evenings

Special feature: Schandmaul – the Southern German Folk-Medieval Rock veterans – are headlining both evenings. A rare setup that positions the festival as "Schandmaul + Friends". Confirmed acts:

• Schandmaul – Headliner Fri & Sat, German Folk-Rock since 1998
• Fiddler's Green – "Irish Speedfolk" from Nuremberg
• Subway To Sally – Medieval Rock stalwarts from Potsdam
• Wind Rose – Italian "Hobbit Metal" band
• Rauhbein – Medieval Rock newcomers
• Doppelbock – Folk with humor and Bavarian roots
• Irdorath – Belarusian folk ensemble with traditional instruments
• Deus Vult – Medieval Metal from Italy

More acts to be announced.

Medieval Market and Camping

A medieval market with blacksmiths, leather crafts, costumes, mead, historical reenactments, and medieval culinary delights will be set up in front of the amphitheater. On the adjacent festival grounds, there is a camping option for festival-goers – a central component for the Folk and Medieval scene, which traditionally celebrates its festivals with a camp atmosphere.

Amphitheater Gelsenkirchen

The Amphitheater Gelsenkirchen is a 5,000-capacity open-air theater, nestled by the water in the Buer district, directly on the Rhine-Herne Canal. Built in 1996 for the Emscher Park International Building Exhibition, it is now one of the most atmospheric concert venues in the Ruhr area. Views of the water, acoustically optimized, sandy interior – a theater that seems made for Folk-Medieval.