Ulmer Zelt

Ulmer Zelt — Seven Weeks of Summer Culture on the Danube

The Ulmer Zelt is an institution. What began in 1984 as an idea by some of Ulm's cultural creators has become Ulm's most important summer festival and one of the most established open-air cultural events in Southern Germany. For seven weeks, from Pentecost to early July, the festival takes place in the Friedrichsau — the large city park between Ulm-Böfingen and the Danube, right next to the Ausee. A gigantic circus tent, an accompanying beer garden, small stages for readings and cabaret, a children's area, colorful stalls — the Ulmer Zelt is not a festival in the classic sense, but a temporary cultural village.

2026 Program — Over 100 Events

The program is divided into three main areas:

• Main Program — Concerts, readings, cabaret in the large tent. This is where the stars and headliners perform.
• Children's Program — Approximately 20 events for children and young people throughout the festival: theater, interactive concerts, workshops.
• Tent Lounge — Smaller, more intimate events with newcomer bands, slam poetry, singer-songwriters.

2026 Headliners

The 2026 program was finalized early and features a classic mix of established German acts and international guests: Element of Crime with Sven Regener's poetic lyrics, Joris with his quiet, melodic pop, Subway to Sally with medieval folk-rock, Canadian-Bermudian singer Heather Nova with her delicate singer-songwriter style, and the English glam rock legend The Sweet. In addition, there are always a number of regional and national bands from the indie and blues scene, cabaret evenings with well-known German comedians, and theater productions.

Friedrichsau — The Festival Grounds

The Friedrichsau is Ulm's large city park in the Böfingen district, located between Ausee, the Danube, and residential areas. An ideal festival location: large enough to accommodate thousands of visitors, close to nature under old trees, and easily accessible by bus and train from the city center and Neu-Ulm. The Ulmer Zelt uses the large, round main tent with approximately 1,000 seats for the main events, alongside the beer garden under the old linden trees, the tent lounge as a smaller adjacent area, and several stalls offering street food and drinks. In the afternoons, colorful flea markets also take place — a tradition in themselves, featuring collectors, record dealers, and curious second-hand items.

Ulm and Neu-Ulm — The Two Cities on the Danube

Ulm (Baden-Württemberg, independent city 08421) and Neu-Ulm (Bavaria, independent city 09775) are separated by the Danube but are closely intertwined culturally. With a combined population of around 175,000, the Danube region forms one of the most important cultural centers in southern Baden-Württemberg/northern Bavaria. The Minster with the world's tallest church spire (161.5 m), the historic Fishermen's Quarter, the Albert Einstein Monument (Einstein was born in Ulm) — the city has also developed a strong cultural scene in the past 20 years, with Theater Ulm, Stadthaus, Roxy, and the Ulmer Zelt as the major summer highlight.

Commitment and Volunteering

The Ulmer Zelt is supported by Ulmer Zelt e.V. — with a core team of full-time staff and a large, dedicated group of volunteers. The festival recruits helpers every year for event management, PR, technical support, and catering. Many have been returning for years and decades — the festival is more than just an event; it's a Ulm community.