Überschlag Festival – Europe's Largest Drum Festival
Five days of drums, percussion, and rhythm in Hannover—featuring concerts, workshops, and masterclasses at the Ballhof and various city-center venues.
About Überschlag Festival
A Percussion Festival in the Heart of Hannover
The festival hub is the Ballhof at the Niedersächsisches Staatstheater in Hannover's Old Town. From there, the festival expands to numerous other venues across the city center, including the Holzhalle at Hainhölzer Höfe, the Marktkirche, the Neustädter Hof- und Stadtkirche St. Johannis, the GOP Varieté-Theater, the Staatsoper Hannover, and the Indiego Glocksee. The event concludes with a participatory open-air project at Ballhofplatz.
Concept: Every Facet of Percussion
The festival is dedicated exclusively to drums, percussion, and global drumming traditions. The program blends concerts, performances, workshops, masterclasses, and interactive sessions from morning until late at night. In 2026, the festival focuses on earthy, handmade, and visceral musical experiences.
Stylistic Diversity
The program is intentionally broad, bringing together jazz, classical percussion, African and Latin American traditions, electronic drum programming, and experimental sound art. Artists from 24 countries across five continents contribute to the lineup.
Workshops and Masterclasses
A core element of the festival is its series of workshops and masterclasses led by international experts. Topics include rudiments, solo repertoire, marimba, orchestral percussion, and timpani, catering to professional drummers and students as well as ambitious amateurs and beginners.
Überschlag Festival — edition 2026
The Überschlag Festival is internationally recognized as a premier destination for percussion music. The 2026 edition blends high-caliber concert programming with intensive workshops, masterclasses, and relaxed session formats. Under the patronage of Lower Saxony's Minister Falko Mohrs, the festival is a key highlight in the cultural life of the UNESCO City of Music, Hannover.
The full program, including all acts, instructors, and workshop slots, will be published by the organizers at ueberschlagfestival.de.
Programme Überschlag Festival 2026
Confirmed Artists 2026
- Andy Akiho (USA) – GRAMMY-nominated composer and percussionist
- Simone Rubino (Italy) – Percussion virtuoso
- Sara Chakarova
- Tim Collins
- OPERcussion
- Nora Thiele
- CHRONOS Quartet
- Arsenal Mikebe
- Rummsfeld & Friends of the Staatsoper Hannover
Venues
- Ballhof of the Niedersächsisches Staatstheater (Festival Hub)
- Holzhalle at Hainhölzer Höfe
- Marktkirche
- Neustädter Hof- und Stadtkirche St. Johannis
- GOP Varieté-Theater
- Staatsoper Hannover
- Indiego Glocksee
- Ballhofplatz (Closing project 'One City. One Puls.')
Program Formats
- Concerts and performances
- Workshops and masterclasses (including rudiments, solo, marimba, orchestral percussion, timpani)
- Sessions and interactive participation formats
The complete detailed program with dates and times will be published at ueberschlagfestival.de.
Highlights Überschlag Festival 2026
- 3rd edition of the international percussion festival in Hannover
- Artists from 24 countries across five continents
- Confirmed acts include Andy Akiho (GRAMMY-nominated) and Simone Rubino
- Ballhof as festival hub, with venues throughout the city center
- Workshops and masterclasses with international instructors
- Closing open-air event 'One City. One Puls.' at Ballhofplatz
Prices Überschlag Festival 2026
Practical information — Überschlag Festival
Dates
Wednesday, August 19 to Sunday, August 23, 2026.
Venues
Festival Center: Ballhof at the Niedersächsisches Staatstheater, Ballhofplatz 1, 30159 Hannover (Old Town). Additional city-center venues: Holzhalle at Hainhölzer Höfe, Marktkirche, Neustädter Hof- und Stadtkirche St. Johannis, GOP Varieté-Theater, Staatsoper Hannover, Indiego Glocksee. The closing project takes place at Ballhofplatz.
Getting There
The Old Town area around Ballhofplatz is just a few minutes' walk or a short tram ride from Hannover Hauptbahnhof.
Tickets
Single tickets, day passes (Thursday to Saturday), and full festival passes are available via tickets.infield.live. Some events operate on a "Pay What You Can" basis; discounts are available for students, apprentices, and pupils. Workshop spots must be booked separately and are limited in capacity.
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Where it takes place Überschlag Festival
Ballhof des Niedersächsischen Staatstheaters
Ballhofplatz 1, 30159 Hannover