52nd Maiwoche Osnabrück
Over 150 acts on 5 stages and 800,000 visitors – one of the largest open-air city festivals in Northwest Germany
2026
About Maiwoche Osnabrück
Maiwoche Osnabrück — edition 2026
The exact program for 2026 has been published by the organizer in the 2026 program guide. The structure follows the established cornerstones of previous years: opening evening on the first Friday, continuous stage program on all ten days, peak activity on the two weekends, and more relaxed weekdays focusing on singer-songwriter and indie programs.
With its size, the Maiwoche is one of the most significant independent city festivals in Northern Germany and is an economically and culturally defining factor for Osnabrück's city center.
Highlights Maiwoche Osnabrück 2026
- 52nd edition of Maiwoche since 1974
- 5 stages, over 150 acts
- Headliners Betterov, Callejon, Van Holzen
- Expected 800,000 visitors
- Free admission
Programme Maiwoche Osnabrück 2026
Headliners 2026
- Betterov – Indie pop from Germany
- Callejon – Metalcore pioneers
- Van Holzen – Rock band from Southern Germany
Other Acts (Selection)
- Blackout Problems
- RAUM27
- Versengold (Medieval/Folk Rock)
- ZSK (Punk Rock)
Festival Structure
- 5 stages in the city center
- Over 150 acts in total
- Accompanying street carousel in front of the cathedral
- Free admission
- 10 festival days from Friday to the following Sunday
Note
Detailed stage and time program in the official 2026 program guide and on erleben.osnabrueck.de.
Prices Maiwoche Osnabrück 2026
Practical information — Maiwoche Osnabrück
Festival Period 2026
Friday, May 8th, to Sunday, May 17th, 2026.
Venues
Osnabrück city center, 5 stages spread across the Market Square, Peace Square (Platz des Westfälischen Friedens), Cathedral Forecourt (Domvorplatz), and other central squares.
Getting There
By public transport: numerous bus lines stop in the city center. By car: parking garages in the city center; expect crowds on weekends. Osnabrück main train station is a 15-minute walk away.
Admission
Admission is free. Food and drinks available at stalls at event prices.
Program Guide
The current program guide and detailed information will be published on erleben.osnabrueck.de/maiwoche.
52 Years of Maiwoche
Since 1974, the Maiwoche has been a firm fixture in Osnabrück's city calendar and is one of the largest independent open-air city festivals in northwestern Germany. Over the decades, it has evolved from a local spring festival into a festival with supra-regional appeal, shaping the city center for ten days.
Five Stages, 150 Acts
On five stages in the city center, over 150 acts present a broad musical spectrum – from indie rock, folk, and singer-songwriter to punk, hardcore, electronic, and pop. This diversity allows it to appeal to a heterogeneous audience, comprising both Osnabrück residents and day-trippers from the wider region.
Headliners and Acts 2026
The 2026 lineup includes Betterov, whose indie pop has gained supra-regional recognition in recent years, metalcore pioneers Callejon, and the rock band Van Holzen as headliners. The program is complemented by other well-known acts such as Blackout Problems, RAUM27, Versengold, and ZSK – a mix that embraces both established and new voices in the German music scene.
Free Admission
As in previous years, the Maiwoche is free to attend – a remarkable feature for an event of this scale. This is made possible by funding from the City of Osnabrück, sponsors, and the commitment of Marketing Osnabrück. The street carousel in front of the cathedral adds a classic attraction for families to the program.
Where it takes place Maiwoche Osnabrück
Maiwoche Osnabrück at a glance
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Published by Valentin Contard, festival listings writer. Reviewed, corrected and approved by Christophe Contard, editor-in-chief. .