Sennestadtfest

District Festival in the Reichow Centre

The Sennestadtfest is the big summer festival of the Bielefeld district of Sennestadt. The venue is Reichowplatz at Sennestadtring 15a — the central square of the district planned in the 1950s by architect Hans Bernhard Reichow, one of the best-known examples of the post-war garden city concept. For two days, everything here revolves around local clubs, local gastronomy, and a diverse stage program.

Program — Stage, Hands-on Activities, Gastronomy

The 2026 festival program combines several elements: Bands, choirs, dance groups, and local artists will perform on stage — from pop and Schlager to rock and folk ensembles. In addition, clubs and initiatives from Sennestadt will present themselves with hands-on activities for children and families: games, creative workshops, sports demonstrations. Sennestadt's gastronomy and food trucks will offer a wide culinary selection. The exact program will be published in a separate program brochure, traditionally a few weeks before the festival.

Sunday Shopping in the Sennestadt Centre

A central element of the Sennestadtfest weekend is the Sunday shopping event. The shops around Reichowplatz and in the Sennestadt Centre will be open on Sunday, June 14, 2026, from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. Thus, the Sennestadtfest combines the classic district festival format with a retail experience — a model that is traditional in many NRW districts.

Sennestadtverein — Organizer of the Festival

The festival is organized by Sennestadtverein e.V., which has been active as a civil society force in the district for decades. The association brings together actors from clubs, churches, schools, and businesses — and provides the framework for the Sennestadtfest to take place annually. The commitment is largely voluntary.

Bielefeld-Sennestadt — The District with the Reichow Plan

With approximately 21,000 inhabitants, Sennestadt is one of the southernmost districts of Bielefeld. Planned in 1955 by Hans Bernhard Reichow as an "organic urban landscape," Sennestadt is one of the most interesting post-war urban development models in Germany — with structured buildings, green spaces, and a distinctive centre around Reichowplatz. The district festival is an opportunity to experience the architecture and lifestyle of the district.