Grashüpfer Festival Rheinstetten

Dancing in the recreational area

The Epplesee is one of the most beautiful bathing lakes in the Karlsruhe region — a former gravel pit that has been redeveloped into a recreational area, with sandy beaches, sunbathing lawns, and mixed forest all around. It is precisely here, on Ascension Day, that the Grashüpfer Festival takes place: a one-day open-air for electronic music, combining the idyllic setting with bass-heavy Techno and House sets. The organizer is Grashüpfer Festival GmbH.

The concept

The festival runs during the day — doors open at 12 PM, ending at midnight — and targets a young, party-loving audience from Karlsruhe, Rastatt, Pforzheim, and the northern Baden region. The majority of visitors arrive by bicycle or train; Rheinstetten Seepark station is a 15-minute walk away. DJs from the national and international Techno and House scene play on two to three stages. The pricing is affordable (from €29.90 for early birds) — the festival is not positioned as a premium event, but as a middleweight in the southwestern German open-air calendar.

Who's playing

The acts are traditionally released in waves. Known guests from previous years include Chris Liebing (Berlin Techno heavyweight), Dubfire (Grammy winner from Washington, formerly of Deep Dish), Lilly Palmer (from Berlin, a mix of Techno, House, and melodic electronics), and Luigi Madonna (Neapolitan Techno DJ). Sponsor partners include Red Bull, Bacardi, and Jägermeister. The 2026 lineup will usually be published in March/April — as of May 2026, further acts have been announced.

Rheinstetten in the Karlsruhe district

Rheinstetten is a large municipality with just under 21,000 inhabitants directly south of Karlsruhe. It was formed in 1975 by merging the villages of Forchheim, Mörsch, and Neuburgweier. The Epplesee belongs to the Mörsch district and is easily accessible by the S 2 tram (Karlsruhe–Rheinstetten line). For festival-goers, this means: easy arrival without a car, return journey late in the evening with special services from Karlsruher Verkehrsbetriebe (KVV).

Climate and recommendations

Ascension Day falls on May 14, 2026 — typical spring weather, often sunny with temperatures between 18–24 degrees Celsius. Bring sunscreen, a jacket for the evening, and sturdy footwear. The grounds at Epplesee are not asphalted.