Schlossgrabenfest Darmstadt
Hesse's largest city center music festival — 26th edition with Alphaville, Jan Delay, Zartmann
About Schlossgrabenfest
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Free Music in the City
The Schlossgrabenfest in Darmstadt is a phenomenon: Hesse's largest city center music festival, right in the heart of the science city, for four days, and all with free admission. What began as a smaller city festival in 2001 has become a festival today with over 60 bands and 12 DJs on 3 stages plus a club zone — attracting an estimated audience in the hundreds of thousands.
26th Edition 2026
From Thursday, May 21, to Sunday, May 24, 2026, the 26th edition will take place. Venue: the entire Schlossgraben around Darmstadt Castle, plus parts of the city center. Spread across 20,000 m²: three main stages, a club zone, and over 100 culinary stands offering international cuisine.
2026 Line-up — Pop to Techno
Headliners 2026: Alphaville (Thu) — the German New Wave legends with «Big in Japan» and «Forever Young»; Jan Delay & Disko No.1 (Fri) with their characteristic mix of rap, reggae, funk, and soul, featuring special guest Das Bo; Zartmann and HE/RO (Sat) on the MERCK stage; Ikkimel and Tom Twers (Sun) with a rap-techno mix.
Three Stages, a Genre Salad
Overall, the program covers a wide genre mix: rock, pop, indie, punk, alternative, hip-hop, rap, singer-songwriter, dance, electro, house. From indie sets in the afternoon to techno beats at night on the same day. Official sponsors Merck and ENTEGA support the festival, with media partners Darmstädter Echo and hr3.
Free Admission — Yet a Premium Festival
The most precious feature: free admission. There are no tickets, no entry control. Anyone who wants to come, can. This makes the Schlossgrabenfest one of Germany's most democratic large festivals.
Schlossgrabenfest — edition 2026
Four days of city center festival. Three main stages (including the MERCK stage), club zone, culinary stands — the science city of Darmstadt transforms for a weekend into Hesse's largest free music festival.
Programme Schlossgrabenfest 2026
Thursday, May 21, 2026 — Opening
- Alphaville — New Wave legend («Big in Japan», «Forever Young»)
- Support acts and stage openings
Friday, May 22, 2026
- Jan Delay & Disko No.1 — Rap, Reggae, Funk, Soul
- Special Guest: Das Bo
- Other bands and DJs on parallel stages
Saturday, May 23, 2026 — Main Evening
- Zartmann — on the MERCK stage
- HE/RO — on the MERCK stage
- Numerous other acts on 3 stages, club zone
Sunday, May 24, 2026 — Finale
- Ikkimel — uncompromising rap-techno mix on the MERCK stage
- Tom Twers
- Other acts and closing program
Format
- Over 60 bands and 12 DJs
- 3 stages plus club zone
- 20,000 m² festival grounds around the Schlossgraben
- Over 100 culinary stands
- Genre mix: Rock, Pop, Indie, Punk, Alternative, Hip-Hop, Rap, Singer-Songwriter, Dance, Electro, House
Sponsors and Media Partners
- Main sponsors: Merck, ENTEGA
- Media partners: Darmstädter Echo, hr3
Highlights Schlossgrabenfest 2026
- 26th edition of Hesse's largest city center festival
- Alphaville, Jan Delay, and Ikkimel as headliners
- 60+ bands, 12 DJs on 3 stages
- 20,000 m² festival grounds
- 100+ culinary stands
- Completely free admission
Prices Schlossgrabenfest 2026
Free admission — no tickets needed. Food and drinks at stands are charged separately. Main sponsors Merck and ENTEGA, media partners Darmstädter Echo and hr3.
Practical information — Schlossgrabenfest
Getting There
Darmstadt Main Station, then take a bus or walk to the Schlossgraben (approx. 10 minutes). Everything within the festival grounds is within walking distance.
Admission
Free. Food, drinks, and culinary stands are subject to charge.
Tip
Mark your favorite acts in the program PDF on schlossgrabenfest.de, then have a stage plan handy upon arrival. In warm weather, thousands of people flock here at night — delays at the entrance are not uncommon, so arrive early.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Schlossgrabenfest al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Schlossgrabenfest
Schlossgraben und Innenstadt Darmstadt
Schlossgraben / Innenstadt, 64283 Darmstadt