Nation of Gondwana Festival

Nation of Gondwana — Berlin's Oldest Festival Classic

Nation of Gondwana has been around since 1999, making it one of the oldest electronic festivals in the Berlin area. The organizer is the collective association Pyonen, which deliberately positions the festival as an alternative, political, and commercial-free event — far from the major sponsor festivals of the electronic scene. Over the years, Gondwana has evolved from a small insider tip into a four-day spectacle with around 10,000 visitors, without losing its character.

Waldsee near Grünefeld — The Setting

For years, the venue has been the Waldsee near Grünefeld, a renatured former gravel pit area in the municipality of Schönwalde-Glien in the Havelland region — about 30 km northwest of Berlin. Forest, sandy beaches by the lake, an open main stage, and several smaller stages scattered throughout the forest form one of Brandenburg's most impressive festival backdrops. Arrival and camping are possible from Thursday midday, with the program starting on Thursday evening.

32nd Edition 2026 — Lineup and Program

The lineup for the 32nd edition (July 16–19, 2026) was announced in April 2026 and is among the most ambitious of the Berlin electronic season. Highlights:

• Robert Hood — Detroit techno legend.
• Prosumer — Resident DJ classic of the Berlin scene.
• Josey Rebelle — London DJ, NTS resident.
• Octo Octa (live) — US house and breakbeat producer.
• Portable (live) — South African live performer.
• Byron Yeates b2b Danielle — Berlin DJ tandem.
• Avalon Emerson, Dasha Rush, Erobique (live), Rødhåd, Sven Dohse, livwutang, Gene On Earth, Xiaolin, 1morning, Bitter Babe, Barbara Preisinger, Victor, Skyra.

The program is spread across several dance floors with different musical profiles — from deep House and Acid to classic Techno, Ambient, and live acts. Interactive stages, installations, laser shows, and mapping projections shape the forest at night.

Political Stance

Gondwana sees itself not just as a dance festival. The name refers to the prehistoric supercontinent — a deliberate symbolism for the idea that people should think beyond national borders. The grounds host workshops on queer-feminist, anti-racist, and ecological topics, awareness structures, and a clear commitment against discrimination. The organizers deliberately forgo major sponsors and advertising spaces.

Tickets, Travel, and Camping

Tickets in 2026 start at €239 regular and €200 for people under 24. Camping is included in the price. The festival grounds are accessible by shuttle bus from the S-Bahn stations Falkensee and Hennigsdorf; travel by bicycle from Berlin is possible. There are various age restrictions (12+, 16+, 18+, 21+ for certain floors). First-wave tickets sold out within hours — remaining contingents are released in waves.