International Blues Festival Schöppingen

Blues Pilgrimage Site in Münsterland

Anyone talking about blues in Germany can't ignore Schöppingen. What began in 1994 as a small club festival has evolved into one of Europe's most important blues festivals. The Kulturring Schöppingen e.V. books stars from the USA and Europe year after year and manages the entire festival purely on a voluntary basis. Veterans like B.B. King, Buddy Guy, and Mavis Staples have graced the Schöppingen stage — today, it's artists like Bobby Rush, Devon Allman, and Joanne Shaw Taylor.

When: May 21–23, 2026 (Pentecost Weekend)

The festival runs from Thursday, May 21st, to Saturday, May 23rd, 2026, over the Pentecost weekend. Admission on Thursday starts at 3:00 PM — the main concerts take place on Friday and Saturday. The Vechtebad and the adjacent Künstlerdorf form the spatial framework.

Headliners and Program 2026

The 33rd edition features one of the most packed line-ups in the festival's history. Highlights include:

• Bobby Rush — two-time Grammy winner, soul-blues legend from Louisiana, first appearance in Schöppingen
• Devon Allman Blues Summit — Devon Allman brings guests like Larry McCray, Sierra Green, and Jimmy Hall to one stage
• Joanne Shaw Taylor — British blues-rock guitarist, first time in Schöppingen
• The Reverend Shawn Amos — soul and gospel blues from L.A.
• Israel Nash — Texas folk-rock, Schöppingen debut
• Jason Ricci — harmonica virtuoso in an acoustic trio format
• Blackburn Brothers — soul and blues quartet from Canada
• Chambers DesLauriers — singer-songwriter project from North America
• J & The Causeways — roots-rock newcomers

Where: Künstlerdorf Schöppingen and Vechtebad

The festival takes place in the large parking lot next to the Künstlerdorf Schöppingen and at the Vechtebad — both locations are on the outskirts of Schöppingen. The Künstlerdorf is a renowned artist residency in Münsterland and gives the festival its cultural address. With Pentecost weather, the stage will be set up outdoors.

Organizer: Kulturring Schöppingen e.V.

Kulturring is a registered association that has been organizing the festival for over three decades. Program design, stage construction, catering, logistics — everything is handled by volunteers. The connection to the international blues scene has grown over the years; artists now come to Schöppingen partly because they know what to expect: an audience that truly listens.

Pentecost Weekend in Münsterland

Schöppingen is located in the Borken district in North Rhine-Westphalia, about a 30-minute drive from Münster. Those traveling for the festival should plan a Münsterland weekend: bike tours through the park landscape, a visit to the Künstlerdorf (studios often open during the festival), culinary stops at one of the farm restaurants. Overnight stays around Schöppingen should be booked well in advance — the festival fills every bed in the vicinity.

More Than a Concert — A Community

What makes Schöppingen special is the atmosphere. A festival run by club members in T-shirts, with bratwurst, beer, and a main stage where three generations dance together. Pentecost in Schöppingen is not just a concert visit; it's a gathering of the German blues family.