Lakeside — Festival Vibes at the Reservoir

Festival Vibes by the Lake — Six Times This Summer

While Bielefeld's major open-air festivals (Carnival der Kulturen, Stadtfeste, etc.) take place as large annual events, the Jugendzentrum HOT Billabong has developed its own micro-format: Lakeside — Festival Vibes at the Reservoir. Six dates between May and October, always on the first Friday of the month, between 5 PM and 6:30 PM, at the idyllically located Stauteich III. Free admission, young program, relaxed atmosphere — festival vibes in 90-minute portions.

The Six Dates in 2026

The series follows a clear monthly rhythm:

• Friday, May 1st, 2026 (Opening on May Day holiday)
• Friday, June 5th, 2026
• Friday, July 3rd, 2026
• Friday, August 7th, 2026
• Sunday, September 6th, 2026 (Exception: Sunday instead of Friday)
• Friday, October 2nd, 2026

Conceptually, the dates are short and compact — starting at 5:00 PM, ending at 6:30 PM. This makes them ideal for after-work enjoyment: those who come to the reservoir after work or school have enough time for the show, a drink, and a chat — without having to plan the entire evening.

Young Bielefeld Bands

The musical profile is clear: emerging acts from Bielefeld and the surrounding area. Those taking their first band steps at HOT Billabong (a youth center with rehearsal rooms and recording studios) get a low-threshold open-air stage with Lakeside. The musical spectrum includes: Indie rock, pop, singer-songwriter, folk, and occasional hip-hop or electronic acts. The exact lineup for each date will be announced by HOT Billabong in good time before the respective concert.

Stauteich III — The Idyllic Venue

The Stauteich III is one of three artificial reservoirs along the Lutter river in western Bielefeld. With its grassy banks, trees, and calm water surface, it offers an extraordinary backdrop for a micro-concert. The neighboring HOT Billabong serves as the logistical base (electricity, sound, restrooms) and provides the institutional framework for the series.

HOT Billabong — The Youth Center with a Music Focus

The HOT Billabong on Brückenstraße is one of Bielefeld's most prominent youth centers — with a clear focus on music and youth culture. Rehearsal rooms, recording studios, live stages, workshops, and mentoring programs make the center the go-to place for young people in Bielefeld with musical ambitions. Lakeside is one of the center's most visible events — it showcases to the Bielefeld public what is being created at HOT.