Spoyschicht – After-Work Wine Festival Kleve

After-Work Indulgence on the Spoy Canal

Spoyschicht is a success story for Kleve's city marketing activities: a small after-work event has become an anticipated summer date that shapes the cityscape of Kleve. The venue is the Spoy Canal, which winds through Kleve's old town – with small bridges, old quays, and the backdrop of historic and modern buildings in the city centre. The after-work concept is clear: stop by after work, sample a good glass of wine, meet acquaintances, enjoy a meal, and listen to live music.

Two Dates in 2026: August 7 and September 12

In 2026, there are two Spoyschicht dates on the Kleve calendar:

• Friday, August 7, 2026 – Main edition on the Spoy Canal around the Town Hall
• Saturday, September 12, 2026 – Late summer edition on the forecourt of the Stadthalle

This double date allows the event to be held twice in the summer – once in the middle of the main holiday season, and once as a late summer finale.

Wine, Wine, Wine

The focus is on the wine selection: German wineries (especially from Mosel, Pfalz, and Rheinhessen) and selected European vintners (Italy, France, Austria) present their wines at several stands. By the glass or by the bottle – those who like to sample can move from Riesling to Spätburgunder, to Italian Primitivo, and past the 'Tresor' (a local reference).

Kleve Gastronomy at Spoyschicht

Several Kleve restaurants and caterers bring their specialties to the water:

• Wood-fired Flammkuchen
• Tapas and antipasti variations
• Lower Rhine specialties (asparagus in early summer, game in autumn)
• Cheese and sausage selection
• Sweet finale: Crêpes, Tarte au Citron, chocolate

Live Music in a Relaxed Format

Both evenings are accompanied by live music – usually acoustic bands, singer-songwriters, jazz trios. No large stage, but a deliberately low music level that doesn't drown out conversations. The concept fits well with the bistro atmosphere.

Kleve – "The City of Happy Festivals"

Kleve on the Lower Rhine, just before the Dutch border, has around 53,000 inhabitants and is not coincidentally known as the "City of Happy Festivals." The cheerful spirit of the Lower Rhine, the connection to the Netherlands (Nijmegen is only 20 km away), and a dedicated city marketing scene ensure a packed event calendar – with the Tulip Sunday parade, market music, Advent lights, and, of course, Spoyschicht.

The Spoy Canal

The Spoy Canal is Kleve's "little Seine" – a historic waterway that runs through the city and has been used for harbour, mill, and trade purposes for centuries. Today, it is part of the cityscape, with small bridges, promenades, and benches by the water. Spoyschicht uses this backdrop as an urban festival site – with the water at your back and the city's history all around.