Street Food Picknick Herne

Kick-off of the Strünkeder Sommer

The Street Food Picknick is the gastronomic opening event of the Strünkeder Sommer — a multi-month cultural series by the city of Herne in the park surrounding Wasserschloss Strünkede. Over the 2026 Pentecost holidays (Friday, May 22nd to Monday, May 25th), the castle park will transform into a culinary stage with food trucks, a DJ lounge, and a picnic atmosphere. It's the ideal weekend to relaxedly open the season in the Ruhr area — before the big open-air concerts and open-air cinema take over the castle park in July and August.

Food Trucks from the Ruhr Area and All Over Germany

Food trucks and mobile kitchens will set up in the castle park over the four days — from BBQ specialists, vegan burgers, and Asian bowls to authentic tacos, Flammkuchen, crêpes, and specialties from Latin America, India, and the Arab region. The concept is open: participants rotate each season, so regular visitors can discover new vendors every year. Drinks include craft beer from regional breweries, wine, cocktails, lemonades, and non-alcoholic specialties.

DJ Sounds Between Lounge, House, and Soul

The culinary offerings are accompanied by relaxed DJ sets that transform the meadow in front of the castle into a lounge — no loud beats, but soundscapes between Deep House, Soul, Funk, and Bossa Nova that invite you to linger. Blankets, folding chairs, or simply the meadow become your living room for the day.

Schloss Strünkede — Herne's Moated Castle

Wasserschloss Strünkede is located in the north of Herne, in the Baukau district, and is one of the city's most important sights. The complex has its origins in the 13th century, with the current Renaissance castle dating from the late 16th century, now housing the Emschertal Museum. The extensive castle park with its old trees, moat, and castle bridge offers an exceptionally beautiful setting for a street food event — far from asphalt and the big city, nestled in a green oasis in the heart of the Ruhr area.

Strünkeder Sommer — The Whole Season

The Street Food Picknick is the kick-off, followed by other highlights in the summer, all in the castle park:

• May 17, 2026 — International Museum Day with free admission
• May 22–25 — Street Food Picknick
• July 11 — Electric Residence (House/Techno Festival, 4:00 PM–1:30 AM)
• August 1 — Sounds Like Sugar (Indie-Pop Festival)
• August 13–16 — Open-Air Cinema
• September 4–6 — Medieval Spectacle
• September 13 — Museum Festival (100 Years Emschertal Museum)

A diverse program that makes the Wasserschloss Herne's cultural summer stage.