KlangRauschTreffen Hösseringen

20 Years of KlangRauschTreffen

What began in 2006 as a small gathering of enthusiastic folk musicians has become a firm fixture in the calendar of Germany's non-commercial folk music scene. The KlangRauschTreffen celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2026 and returns to the Hösseringen museum village, which has provided the ideal backdrop for years. Thatched-roof farmhouses, old barns, mills, and bakehouses lend the gathering its special atmosphere.

Completely Unamplified

The festival's outstanding feature is its uncompromising acoustic philosophy: no amplifiers, no microphones, no loudspeakers. Everything is acoustic – played with voices and instruments in their original sound form. This creates an intimacy and authenticity that has become rare in a world dominated by amplification technology. Those who play here must be able to sound good without hiding behind effects.

Instrumental Diversity

The soundscape brings together instruments from folk music traditions worldwide: fiddle (classical folk violin technique), bagpipes of various types (Scottish, Irish, Swedish, German), harps (Celtic, medieval), hurdy-gurdies, accordions, concertinas, mandolins, flutes, and drums. The spectrum ranges from Irish and Scottish folk music to Scandinavian traditions and German and Eastern European folk music.

Workshops and Sessions

During the day, the gathering offers workshops and short lectures on instruments, playing techniques, dances, and music history topics. They are led by experienced musicians from Germany and other European countries. In parallel, sessions take place – open jam sessions where musicians spontaneously come together and play music. These sessions are the true heart of the gathering and occur at all times of day and night, in barns, outdoors, or around the campfire.

Concerts and Dancing

In the evenings, concerts with invited bands and soloists take place on the main stage. A dance floor invites folk dancing: waltzes, polkas, mazurkas, Irish sets, Rheinländer, Swedish Polskor. Dance culture is an integral part of folk music and is actively lived here.

Camping and Community

Camping on the historic museum grounds is part of the concept. Tents, motorhomes, and caravans find space in a dedicated meadow. Campfires, communal meals, and nightly sessions create an almost family-like atmosphere that attracts many regular guests.

Museum Village as a Backdrop

The open-air museum Museumsdorf Hösseringen is one of the most important local history museums in Northern Germany. Over 20 historic buildings – farmhouses, mills, bakehouses, smithies – have been meticulously reconstructed. This backdrop lends the KlangRauschTreffen a depth that no modern concert venue can offer.