Kirchplatzfest Bochum-Langendreer

Bochum's East — Three Districts, One Identity

Bochum is a city that takes its districts seriously. In the east of the city — four S-Bahn stops from Bochum Central Station — lie three districts that together form their own profile: Laer, Werne, and Langendreer. Industrial past (especially in Langendreer with the Mansfeld colliery), Catholic parish traditions, and a now well-established alternative cultural scene centered around the socio-cultural center 'Bahnhof Langendreer'. It is precisely in this mix that the Kirchplatzfest finds its place.

The Initiative 'Langendreer hat's'

The festival is organized by the initiative Langendreer hat's e.V. — an alliance of representatives from various district initiatives that accompanies the neighborhood development in Bochum's East. A neighborhood conference takes place three times a year, the Langendreerer Dorfpostille (a district newspaper) is published regularly, and the Kirchplatzfest is one of its public-facing highlights.

The Concept — Ecumenical and District-Oriented

The festival on July 11–12, 2026 takes place on St. Marien Church Square in Langendreer — a central location characterized by the Catholic parish church of St. Marien and the surrounding parish center. The festival is deliberately designed to be ecumenical: Catholic and Protestant communities, free churches, and secular actors organize it together. The Orthodox and free church communities of the district are also involved.

What Makes the Festival Special

Unlike commercial district festivals, this event is not about stage acts or stalls, but about encounter. Program points typically include:

• Open-air service to kick things off
• Stage with choir and band performances from the district
• Cake buffet (by the women of the parishes)
• Grill station, drink stands
• Play areas and bouncy castle for children
• Information stands of local clubs and initiatives
• Raffle for social projects in the neighborhood

Bochum-Langendreer and Its History

Until its incorporation in 1929, Langendreer was an independent town with its own town hall, central station, and schools. This identity is still alive in the district today. The initiative 'Langendreer hat's' keeps this spirit alive through events like the Kirchplatzfest — without falling into romanticized glorification of the 'good old days'. Bochum's East today also means: migration, new communities, a district in transition. The festival is open to all.