Turnpike Reggae Festival

Reggae Tradition in the Gütersloh District

Over the years, the Turnpike Reggae Festival in Herzebrock-Clarholz has become a fixture in the North German Reggae scene — internationally booked, charity-oriented, and with a family atmosphere rarely found at larger festivals. The organizer is the non-profit Turnpike Reggae Festival e.V., which organizes the festival on a voluntary basis. All proceeds go to regional aid organizations and community institutions — from the shooting club to children's aid.

Festival Grounds at Landgasthaus Lönne

The festival takes place on the meadow behind the Landgasthaus Lönne, Grenzweg 8, on the outskirts of Herzebrock — right on the border between the Gütersloh district and Münsterland. One stage, several stalls, plus a campsite for over 800 people with vehicles and tents directly attached. Separate caravan area with its own sanitary facilities and breakfast service.

Lineup 2026 (As of Publication)

The announced lineup for 2026 brings together international artists from Jamaica, the Caribbean, and Germany:

• Chuck Fenda (JAM) — Reggae veteran with hits like “Coming Over”
• Dr. Ring Ding (DE) — an institution of German Ska and Reggae
• Ruff & Tuff — Dub/Roots project
• Akeem Garrison (USA) — young Roots artist
• Teacha Dee (JAM) — Dancehall
• Luisa Laakmann — young German voice
• Andrew Murphy — Reggae songwriter
• Boneshaker Sound — Sound System
• Turndub Trinity — Dub trio

Updates and additions will be continuously communicated via the organizer's website and Facebook page.

Charity Spirit

Unlike commercially operated festivals, Turnpike is a true charity festival: every cent of profit goes back into regional social projects and associations. This makes the festival an example of how music events can function beyond the event industry — supported by a dedicated association and hundreds of volunteers.

Herzebrock-Clarholz — Twin Town in the Gütersloh District

Herzebrock-Clarholz (around 16,000 inhabitants) is a twin municipality in the western Gütersloh district — between Münsterland and Senne landscape, on the border with the Warendorf district. Known for its two historic monastery complexes (Kloster Herzebrock, Stift Clarholz), which still shape the townscape today. Alongside traditional Schützenfesten (shooting festivals), the Turnpike Reggae Festival has become a supra-regional cultural flagship for the municipality.

Reggae in the Lower Rhine Region and NRW

Over the last 15 years, North Rhine-Westphalia (NRW) has developed into a surprisingly dense Reggae hub — besides Turnpike, there's Reggae im Hanffeld in Steinheim or Summerjam at Fühlinger See in Cologne (Germany's largest Reggae festival). Turnpike fills the gap between underground and mainstream: high-quality lineup, international, yet manageable and non-profit.

Tips for Your Visit

Bring a blanket and a folding chair — many visitors stay all day and evening in front of the stage. Camping is the obvious option (over 800 pitches directly at the grounds, arrival possible from Thursday). Those arriving from the Ruhr area should take the A2 towards Hanover, exit Rheda-Wiedenbrück, then the B61 towards Herzebrock. Tickets are available online and at four local advance booking offices, including Landgasthaus Lönne itself.