Sodingen trifft

Sodingen trifft — where the neighborhood comes together

„Sodingen trifft“ is the new format for the neighborhood festival in Herne-Sodingen — and in 2026, it will succeed the popular „Sodinger Bergfest“. The renaming and date change comes from the restaurateur couple Christian and Daniela Richter, who have taken over the event. The name „Sodingen trifft“ reflects the idea: this is where the entire neighborhood meets, not just individual groups.

From „Sodinger Bergfest“ to „Sodingen trifft“

The predecessor format, the „Sodinger Bergfest“, took place every last Wednesday of the month. Daniela Richter explained the reason for the date change: „Wednesdays were hectic for setup — right after the weekly market. Visitors wished for a Friday date to start the weekend relaxed.“ Thus, the Wednesday became the first Friday of the month — and the Bergfest became „Sodingen trifft“. The Sodingen district mayor confirmed: the Sodinger Bergfest was popular, and the new format will „establish itself“.

Venue — Akademie Mont-Cenis

The Akademie Mont-Cenis in Herne-Sodingen is an architectural highlight: completed in 1999, it is one of the first major further education centers in Germany with a massive glass facade and a solar-powered photovoltaic system on the roof. Its spacious forecourt provides the ideal stage for the monthly neighborhood festival — covered areas, expansive spaces, and good connections to Sodingen-Mitte make it the perfect venue.

Program 2026 — May to October plus December

Monthly Rhythm

„Sodingen trifft“ takes place every first Friday of the month from 4:00 PM. The dates for 2026:

• Friday, May 1, 2026 — Premiere (May Day holiday, sunny, approx. 24 °C)
• Friday, June 5, 2026
• Friday, July 3, 2026
• Last Friday in August 2026 (postponed due to Cranger Kirmes — date t.b.a.)
• Friday, September 4, 2026
• Friday, October 2, 2026
• Friday, December 4, 2026 — as a Christmas market variant

What to Expect

• Gastronomy: Beer, wine, cola, snacks (bratwurst, fries, fried foods)
• Live music or background sound depending on the edition
• Seating on the forecourt in the open air
• Meeting point character for the entire neighborhood
• Admission: free

Premiere on May 1, 2026 — Success

The premiere on Friday, May 1, 2026, took place under optimal conditions: sunny weather with around 24 °C attracted „several hundred people“ to the forecourt of the Akademie Mont-Cenis. The area was already well-filled around 3:30–4:00 PM. „Laughter, relaxed conversations, visible joy at the festival,“ reported halloherne.de. Beer, wine, cola, and snacks were available — the first event was a success.

Herne-Sodingen — A Neighborhood in Transition

Sodingen is a district in the southeast of Herne, in the Ruhr area. Historically shaped by mining and industry (Zeche Mont-Cenis, which gave the academy its name), Sodingen has transformed in recent decades — the Akademie Mont-Cenis today symbolizes this transformation towards education and community life.