SunsetPicknick on the Hoheward slag heap

Hoheward Slag Heap — the Open-Air Stage in the Sky

The Hoheward slag heap is the second-largest mining slag heap in the Ruhr area and one of the most spectacular landmark projects of the International Building Exhibition Emscher Park. At about 152 meters high, it towers over the cities of Recklinghausen, Herten, and Castrop-Rauxel, offering a 360-degree panoramic view over the entire northern Ruhr area. With the Horizon Observatory (two walk-through arches) and the Sundial Plateau, it is much more than a slag heap — it is landscape art, a viewpoint, and an event location all in one. It is precisely this backdrop that makes the SunsetPicknick one of the most atmospheric open-air events in the Ruhr area.

September 5, 2026 — from 3 PM to 11 PM

The festival runs for one day: Saturday, September 5, 2026, from 3 PM to 11 PM. Eight hours during which the slag heap transforms from a quiet picnic plateau into a pulsating dance floor. The highlight: the sunset around 8 PM, when the lights of the Ruhr area's industrial buildings flicker on in the distance and the mood shifts from day to night.

Local and National Electronic Acts

The musical profile is clear: electronic music with a focus on chill, deep, melodic — no hard festival techno, but sounds that fit the sunset. The line-up is curated by the RVR and typically includes regional DJs from the Ruhr area, supplemented by national guests. The concept focuses on atmosphere rather than mass intoxication — a yoga picnic vibe meets industrial monument sublime.

Bring a Picnic Basket — But No Glass, No Alcohol

The festival thrives on picnic culture: blankets, baskets, your own food — everything is welcome. Important: no glass (risk of injury on the slag heap plateau), no own alcohol (RVR house rules). Food and drinks (including alcoholic ones) will be offered at festival stands. If you want a classic picnic: vegetarian snacks, fruit, salads, non-alcoholic drinks in plastic or cardboard packaging.

Getting There — Park-and-Bike Recommended

The Hoheward slag heap is accessible on foot — paths lead up to the plateau from various parking lots in the surrounding area (about a 20–40 minute climb, depending on the route). Festival visitors are asked to use park-and-walk parking spaces and not to park directly at the foot of the slag heap. Public transport connections are usually increased during peak times — check details on the festival website before your arrival.

Hoheward as a Cultural Landscape

The Hoheward slag heap is part of the Route of Industrial Heritage and is part of the network of Ruhr area landmarks (alongside Tetraeder Bottrop, Tiger and Turtle Duisburg, Halde Schurenbach Essen, etc.). The Horizon Observatory on the summit was designed by architect Wolfgang Christ and combines modern steel arches with ancient astronomy — a walk-in sundial. The SunsetPicknick uses this extraordinary backdrop once a year for an open-air program — visitor records from previous years show how popular the format is.