International Kiel Blues Festival
Blues night at Räucherei Kiel-Gaarden — three international headliners in one evening
About Kiel Blues Festival
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A Quarter Century of Blues by the Fjord
The International Kiel Blues Festival has taken place without interruption since 2000 — always on the last Friday in February, always at the Räucherei Kiel in the Gaarden-Ost district. With its 27th edition in 2026, the festival ranks among Germany's longest-running blues series, comparable only to a few events like the Lahnstein Blues Festival or the Eutin Blues Festival.
Three Headliners, One Evening
The concept has remained unchanged since its inception: three international-caliber bands, no opening or main act structure. The artists come from Germany, Scandinavia, Great Britain, Italy, France, or the USA — united by their love for classic blues, blues-rock, or roots music. The atmosphere is familial, the audience knows each other, and the organizer (German Concerts, based in Lübeck) has built up a devoted regular clientele.
Räucherei Kiel-Gaarden — The Venue Makes It Special
The Räucherei on Preetzer Straße is an architectural gem: Herring were smoked here until the 1980s; today, the listed brick building houses one of Northern Germany's most atmospheric concert stages. With a capacity for around 500 spectators, the Räucherei is small enough for every spot to have a close-up view of the stage — and large enough for truly loud blues-rock acts. The Gaarden-Ost district is considered the gritty, creative counterpoint to Kiel's bourgeois city center: industrial history, shipyards, multicultural residential streets — the ideal setting for the festival.
Kiel on the Fjord, in the State of Schleswig-Holstein
As the state capital of Schleswig-Holstein and a university city, Kiel is an important hub in the North German music scene, with an active club and festival culture (Kieler Woche, Bootshafensommer, Campusfestival, Reggae Festivals). The Blues Festival fits into this scene as the winter counterpart to the large summer open-airs — dark season, indoor venue, intense music.
Kiel Blues Festival — edition 2026
27th Edition — Three Countries, Three Headliners
The 27th edition brought together three of Europe's most sought-after blues acts on the last Friday in February at the Räucherei Kiel. Three countries, three soundscapes, one evening — the concept has lost none of its appeal over the years.
Three Bands, Three Worlds
The evening kicked off with the Danish band The Blues Overdrive, a two-time winner of the European Blues Award and, according to the organizer, "one of Scandinavia's most respected live bands." This was followed by the Italian Jimi Barbiani Band, a power trio led by slide guitarist Jimi Barbiani, "one of Europe's best blues-rock slide guitarists." The finale featured German harmonica virtuoso Chris Kramer with his project Beatbox'n Blues — a six-time winner of the German Blues Award, characterized by a trio of acoustic harmonica, beatboxing, and electric guitar.
Programme Kiel Blues Festival 2026
Friday, February 27, 2026 — Räucherei Kiel-Gaarden
- 7:00 PM — Doors open
- 8:00 PM — Show starts
- The Blues Overdrive (Denmark) — two-time European Blues Award winner
- Jimi Barbiani Band (Italy) — Blues-Rock slide guitar, power trio
- Chris Kramer & Beatbox'n Blues (Germany) — six-time German Blues Award winner
Three headliners equally featured, no support acts, three full-length sets.
Highlights Kiel Blues Festival 2026
- 27th edition — one of Germany's oldest blues festivals
- Three international headliners in one evening
- European Blues Award + German Blues Award winners
- Atmospheric Räucherei Kiel-Gaarden venue
Prices Kiel Blues Festival 2026
Early bird discount until early December 2025 (€5 off). Regular advance sales via CTS-Eventim, Ticketmaster, MV-Ticket, hotline +49 451 58249143.
Practical information — Kiel Blues Festival
Getting There
By car: Take the A215 to Kiel, then the B202/B76 into the city, Gaarden-Ost district; parking is available on Preetzer Straße and side streets. On concert nights, pay attention to fjord traffic advisories (congestion warnings). By train: Kiel Central Station, then a 10-minute bus ride (lines 11/12 towards Gaarden) or a 15-minute walk. Regular direct connections from Hamburg Central Station (approx. 1 hour 15 minutes).
Tickets
Advance sales until early December with an early bird discount (€5). Regular tickets available via CTS-Eventim, Ticketmaster, MV-Ticket, as well as via the hotline +49 451 58249143 and [email protected]. Also available at the advance ticket offices in Citti Park Kiel and selected Famila supermarkets.
Start Time
Doors open 7:00 PM, show starts 8:00 PM. Experience shows that the concert is often sold out long before the start — early arrival is recommended.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Kiel Blues Festival
Räucherei Kiel-Gaarden
Preetzer Straße 35, 24143 Kiel