Südsee Open Air 2026

Comeback of a Braunschweig Institution

For years, the Südsee Open Air has been one of the most charming and accessible open-air festivals in the Braunschweig region. After the cancellation in 2025 — which coincided with a period of organizational problems and internal conflicts — the festival returns in 2026. The comeback is met with great relief in Braunschweig's music scene and is also a commitment to the importance of volunteer-organized culture.

Naturfreunde Grounds by the Südsee

The Naturfreunde grounds by the Südsee, Schrotweg 112, is a green oasis in the south of Braunschweig. The lake, the surrounding meadows, and the forest create a relaxed, almost holiday-like atmosphere that invites a festival mood with a family flair. Here, the Naturfreunde Braunschweig have been organizing events for decades — concerts, camping weekends, nature experiences — and also make the grounds available for the Südsee Open Air.

100 Years of Naturfreundejugend

The 2026 open air coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Naturfreundejugend in Braunschweig. This gives the festival a double significance: it is both a comeback and a jubilee celebration. The Naturfreundejugend was founded in 1926 as a socialist-pacifist youth movement and has since developed into a pluralistic children's and youth organization with a focus on environment and culture. The festival is part of its identity — organized communally, free admission, with a regional focus.

Regional Acts, Free Admission

The program of the Südsee Open Air traditionally focuses on regional acts: bands and solo artists from Braunschweig, Wolfenbüttel, Wolfsburg, Salzgitter, and the wider region. Indie rock, singer-songwriter, folk, punk — the spectrum is broad, the standards are high. Admission is free; the festival is financed through grants, donations, and the sale of drinks and food. The festival thrives on the initiative of volunteers and the loyalty of the audience.