GAUKLERFESTung – 35th International Juggler and Street Arts Festival
35th international Juggler and Street Arts Festival on Ehrenbreitstein Fortress
About GAUKLERFESTung
GAUKLERFESTung was launched in 1992 by Koblenz-based organizer Café Hahn and has since developed into the largest international festival for jugglers and street artists in Rhineland-Palatinate. With around 50,000 visitors per edition, it is one of the most visited street arts festivals in Germany.
Concept
Unlike classical music festivals, GAUKLERFESTung focuses on street art: juggling, acrobatics, slapstick comedy, magic, fire art, mime, walk-acts, and children's theater. Over 150 artists from more than 20 countries travel to Koblenz every year to showcase their skills in the various squares and courtyards of the fortress. Seven different program categories allow guests to put together their own schedule.
Venue
Ehrenbreitstein Fortress offers a spectacular backdrop as a venue: wide plateaus, courtyards, old walls, and a panoramic view over the confluence of the Moselle and Rhine rivers. The fortress is part of the Upper Middle Rhine Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site and is easily accessible via the cable car from Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer in just a few minutes.
Variety Gala and Finale
Two highlights stand out from the program: the Variety Gala on Friday evening, where the festival's stars present a 90-minute concentration of their best acts on the main Sparkassen stage, and the grand finale on Sunday evening, where all artists perform together on stage.
Families
GAUKLERFESTung is a classic family festival. Children benefit from special programs with clowning, interactive theater, children's circus, and child-friendly walk-acts. Street food and catering are available for refreshments.
GAUKLERFESTung — edition 2026
The 2026 edition marks the festival's 35th anniversary and will be celebrated accordingly by Café Hahn. The complete artist and stage program will be announced in spring 2026 (cafehahn.de). The structure follows the proven cornerstones of previous years:
- Friday: Opening in the afternoon, walk-acts and first stage shows, followed by the grand Variety Gala on the main Sparkassen stage in the evening.
- Saturday: All-day program with parallel shows on several stages and squares.
- Sunday: Family day with children's programs, followed by the grand finale in the evening.
Programme GAUKLERFESTung 2026
Seven program categories structure the festival:
- Juggling and Acrobatics: International top artists with classic and modern acts.
- Comedy and Slapstick: Stand-up, slapstick, and improvisation theater.
- Magic: Classic illusions, close-up, and stage magic.
- Walk-Acts: Mobile costumes and characters that roam between the squares.
- Fire Art: Fire jugglers and pyro performances at dusk.
- Children's Program: Children's circus, interactive theater, clowning.
- Variety Gala and Finale: Highlight shows with the festival's stars.
Street food, wine and beer stands, and a craft market complement the offerings.
Highlights GAUKLERFESTung 2026
- 35th Anniversary Edition.
- Over 150 international jugglers and street artists.
- Variety Gala on Friday evening.
- Grand Finale on Sunday evening.
- The backdrop of Ehrenbreitstein Fortress.
Prices GAUKLERFESTung 2026
Practical information — GAUKLERFESTung
Venue: Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, 56077 Koblenz.
Dates 2026: July 31 to August 2, 2026.
Tickets: 3-day pass in advance approx. €30. Day ticket adults approx. €17. Discounts for children and families.
Getting there: Cable car from Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer (Pier 9), bus line to the fortress, parking available on the fortress plateau.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
Max. 5 photos, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Spotted an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Each suggestion is reviewed by our team before being published.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.