PEP Blues Festival Kellinghusen

Kellinghusen: Town of the Stör

Kellinghusen, with around 8,000 inhabitants, is located in the Steinburg district in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, about 50 km north of Hamburg on the River Stör. The small town is known for its vibrant club culture — from shooting clubs and equestrian sports to cultural life. With the PEP Kulturverein e.V., Kellinghusen has a long-standing active association that organizes concerts, readings, and cultural events — including the annual blues festival.

A Festival in a Classroom Setting

The venue is the Ulmenhofschule Förderschule — a deliberately chosen intimate setting, which stands in contrast to the large festival halls of Hamburg or Hanover. With seating and standing areas, classic stage technology, and a personal atmosphere, it allows for a close experience with the musicians — which is particularly characteristic of the blues.

International Line-up

For years, the festival has programmed a balanced mix of international artists and the German blues scene. In 2026, on Friday, May 29th, the Latvian Blues Band from Latvia — one of the most renowned blues bands in the Baltics — will perform. On Saturday, May 30th, three German acts will follow: Moritz Kruit & Band, the established Hamburg Blues Band, and the young North German trio Muddy What?.

The PEP Kulturverein

The organizer is the PEP Kulturverein e.V., a non-profit association from Kellinghusen dedicated to promoting blues music and other cultural events. In addition, the association organizes the regular concert series PEP Blues Nacht with smaller individual concerts throughout the year.