Hoffest Kornbrennerei Eicker & Callen Herne

One Distillery, One Courtyard, One Festival

The Kornbrennerei Eicker & Callen has been an integral part of Herne's industrial and culinary landscape for generations. At Heitkampsfeld 6 in the Wanne-Eickel district, the Meinken family operates the distillery amidst a classic courtyard ensemble — stables, warehouses, and a courtyard that becomes a stage once a year. The Hoffest is an annual tradition: distillery meets rock music, courtyard meets food trucks, Wanne-Eickel residents meet Wanne-Eickel residents.

When: May 22nd and 23rd, 2026

The 2026 Hoffest runs for two days:

• Friday, May 22nd, 2026: Admission from 3:30 PM with DJ sounds, live band from 7:00 PM
• Saturday, May 23rd, 2026: Admission from 3:30 PM with DJ, live band Brandschaden from 7:00 PM, Los Gerlachos from 7:30 PM

The 2026 Program — Cool Runnings, Brandschaden, Los Gerlachos

Three live bands shape the festival weekend:

• Cool Runnings: Reggae and funk influences, feel-good music to kick things off
• Brandschaden: Cover band with rock classics and party hits — the Saturday night headliner
• Los Gerlachos: Regionally known cover band, on stage on Saturday at 7:30 PM

Before and between the live sets, DJs provide the courtyard with rock, reggae, and party sounds. The atmosphere is familial, intergenerational, and typically Wanne-Eickel: relaxed, down-to-earth, with the pride of an industrial city.

Food, Drinks, and Korn Specialties

Food stalls with grilled specialties — sausages, steaks, fries, vegetarian options — are available on the courtyard. Drink stands serve beer, wine, and long drinks. The culinary highlight: the distillery's in-house Korn specialties. Eicker & Callen produces traditional Korn according to a classic recipe — at the Hoffest, there are tastings, cocktails with in-house Korn, and of course, the classic short shots.

Wanne-Eickel — Independent Character in the Ruhr Area

The Herne district of Wanne-Eickel has a special reputation in the Ruhr area. An independent city until 1975, then merged with Herne, Wanne-Eickel retains its unmistakable character to this day: mining heritage, Wanne-Eickel jokes, its own train station, its own identity. The Hoffest at Heitkampsfeld fits perfectly into this framework — an authentic district festival away from the main event circuit, supported by a family business and its regular guests. Anyone who wants to experience the real Ruhr area between industrial culture and courtyard atmosphere will get their money's worth here.

Rain Concept and Atmosphere

The courtyard has covered areas — the event takes place in any weather. Those lucky with the May weather will sit under the Wanne-Eickel night sky; those less fortunate will move under the awnings. The audience is mixed — regular Wanne-Eickel customers, distillery enthusiasts, cover rock fans, and families from the neighborhood.