Herbede Festival Days

District Festival with Recognizable Identity

The Herbede Festival Days replaced the traditional Herbede Oktoberfest in 2023 — and thus reinvented the most important district festival of Witten's Herbede district. They are organized by Stadtmarketing Witten GmbH together with Herbeder Ideenwerkstatt, supported by Stadtwerke Witten and local transport companies.

Date 2026

The festival days traditionally take place on a weekend in September around the Platz an der Schmiede and in Meesmannstraße. In 2025, the festival ran from September 12–13; for 2026, mid-September is expected (the exact date will be officially announced in summer 2026 by Stadtmarketing Witten and the Herbede Festival Days organizers).

Three-Day Program with Proven Structure

The festival concept is clearly divided into three program blocks:

Friday — After-Work Party (4–11 PM)

The festival kicks off on Friday afternoon, aimed at professionals after work: Opening at 4:00 PM, traditional barrel tapping at 6:00 PM, followed by a musical program, cocktail bars, and street food stalls until 11:00 PM.

Saturday — Club Day and Open-Air Party (12 PM–11 PM)

Saturday is dedicated to local clubs: Sports clubs, carnival groups, heritage societies, shooting clubs, music societies, and many others showcase themselves with stalls, interactive activities, and food. Live music at lunchtime, club performances in the afternoon, and a big open-air party with DJs in the evening, featuring the traditional „Kampf der Giganten“ (Battle of the Giants) — a Flunkyball tournament between Witten's sports clubs.

Sunday — Craft and Private Stalls (11 AM–9 PM)

Sunday morning begins with a church service on the square. Afterwards, craft stalls, private exhibitors with handmade goods, flea market items, and regional products. The afternoon features a stage program with up-and-coming musicians — local artist Guido Stenzel is a regular.

From Herbede Oktoberfest to Modern District Festival

For over 30 years, the popular Herbede Oktoberfest was held in Herbede. In 2023, the organizers decided on a concept change: away from the Bavarian Oktoberfest format, towards a district-focused, modern format with a dedicated club day and diverse musical offerings. The new format was well-received and is establishing itself.

Family Offers

Available throughout the weekend: Carousel, miniature railway, bouncy castle, magician, and clown performances for children. The compact festival mile is easy for families to navigate, with all main attractions within walking distance.

Herbede — Witten's Independent District

Herbede is a southern district of Witten in the Ennepe-Ruhr district — an independent town until 1929. This identity is still palpable today, and the Herbede Festival Days are an expression of this self-awareness. With around 17,000 inhabitants, Herbede is large enough for its own district festival and small enough for everyone to know each other.