Methfesselfest

One of Germany's oldest political street festivals

The Methfesselfest is more than a classic neighbourhood festival. Since 1973, an alliance of DKP, VVN-BdA, Die Linke, and other Hamburg initiatives has met on a July weekend at Else-Rauch-Platz in Eimsbüttel to combine politics, culture, and socialising. The festival is organised by volunteers and traditionally financed through beverage sales.

Clear Stance

The festival's website states it as clearly as it is rarely written: "Groups that want to spread racist, right-wing, homophobic, antisemitic, and xenophobic ideologies will find no place with us." This makes the Methfesselfest one of the most prominent anti-fascist Volksfeste (people's festivals) in Northern Germany — taking a stand with pleasure.

Program between Stage and Debate

• Live music on the main stage (punk, indie, singer-songwriters, hip-hop)
• Political discussion rounds and readings
• Workshops on anti-fascism, rent, climate
• Street food and vegan specialities
• Information stands of political initiatives and trade unions

2026: 53rd Edition Facing Funding Challenges

The 53rd edition in 2026 starts under difficult circumstances: the district administration is not providing financial support, and the rapid price increases of recent years have pushed the classic self-financing through beverage sales to its limits. A GoFundMe campaign "rettet-das-methfesselfest" aims to raise €4,900 to secure the stage, technology, and logistics.

In the Eimsbüttel District

Else-Rauch-Platz in the Eimsbüttel district (Eimsbüttel borough) has been the permanent venue for this festival since the 1970s. Its location between Hoheluft and the city centre, embedded in Hamburg's densely built Gründerzeit neighbourhood, makes the Methfesselfest a neighbourhood festival with supra-regional appeal.