Holk Culture Festival

25 Years of Holk Culture Festival — A Success Story

The Holk Culture Festival was launched in the early 2000s by the STADEUM and celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2026. What began as an ambitious season opening has become one of the most distinguished regional cultural festivals in Northern Germany. The festival has a clear profile: open-air concerts and cultural events at extraordinary venues that are not traditionally associated with culture.

STADEUM — Host and Initiator

The STADEUM is Stade's Culture and Conference Centre and one of the most important cultural organizers in western Lower Saxony. With its hall, theatre program, and external venues, it organizes year-round programming. The Holk Culture Festival serves as its season opener, setting the tone for the upcoming season with prominent names.

Extraordinary Venues

The venues for the Holk Festival are an essential part of its profile. Industrial sites, historic fortresses, harbour areas, parks, and courtyards transform into stages for one evening. The appeal lies in the encounter between star artists and unusual locations, creating a special concert atmosphere.

Highlight 2026: Open-Air "Abenteuerland" at Festung Grauerort

The highlight of the 2026 edition is the open-air "Abenteuerland" on Sunday, August 30th, at Festung Grauerort in Stade-Abbenfleth. Festung Grauerort is a fortress built in the 19th century on the banks of the Elbe River and is one of the most fascinating industrial and military monuments in the region. With its brick walls, casemates, and riverside location, it provides a breathtaking concert backdrop.

Lineup 2026 — Tabatabai, Mutzke, Bidla Buh

The announced lineup brings together German stars: Jasmin Tabatabai presents her current program, bridging acting, music, and stage. Max Mutzke is one of Germany's most versatile singers with a background in jazz, pop, and soul. The Hamburg band Bidla Buh, a prominent name in the North German comedy music scene, is ending their stage career in 2026 with a farewell tour — a moving moment also at the Holk Festival.

Five-Week Program

Over five weeks, additional concerts and cultural events will take place. The complete program with all acts, dates, and venues will be published by the STADEUM in the spring and summer of 2026.