59th European Folklore Festival Bitburg

The European Folklore Festival Bitburg is one of the oldest folklore festivals in Germany and will celebrate its 59th edition in 2026. It was founded in the late 1960s and has since established itself as a central date in Bitburg's event calendar and a cultural highlight of the Eifel region.

Ensembles from Nine European Countries

The festival concept thrives on encounters. Folk dance and folk music groups from nine different European countries are invited to present their regional dances, traditional costumes, and musical traditions. Over the years, ensembles from all over Europe have been guests – from the Iberian Peninsula and the Balkan countries to Scandinavia and Eastern Europe. German and Luxembourgish folklore groups are also regularly represented.

Stages in the City Center

The main venues are spread across Bitburg's city center:

• Petersplatz: One of the central stages for performances by the folklore ensembles.
• Am Spittel: Another main stage with a festival tent area.
• Other Squares: Short performances, encounters, and workshops take place throughout the city center.

Amusement Park and Family Program

Parallel to the folklore program, there is an amusement park with rides, carousels, and showman's businesses. Family activities, hands-on events, and gastronomic offerings from around the world – fitting the international character of the festival – complete the program.

Highlight of the Eifel Summer

The Folklore Festival is integrated into Bitburg's summer calendar and is one of the summer highlights for many visitors from the Eifel district, Luxembourg, and Belgium. The city of Bitburg organizes the festival together with the Europäisches Folklore-Festival e.V., which is responsible for the international artist selection and organizational tasks.