Wald Festival Eningen unter Achalm

Dancing in the Forest Swimming Pool

The Waldfreibad Eningen unter Achalm is one of those almost forgotten gems of Baden-Württemberg – until the Wald Festival rediscovered it in 2019. Nestled in the Black Forest-like mixed woodland on the slope of the Achalm, with a swimming pool, sunbathing lawns, and old lifeguard houses, the outdoor pool offers a backdrop that few other festival spots in southern Germany can match. Since its first edition, the festival has carved out a firm place in the electronic music scene between Stuttgart, Tübingen, and Reutlingen.

Electronic Beats & Pool Vibes

The musical concept is clear: Electronic Beats – from House and Techno to cosmic Disco – on multiple floors with selected DJs from the region and national acts. What makes the festival unique is its proximity to the water: Between sets, you can swim a lap, float on a colourful pool float, or cool off briefly. The mix of an open-air dance floor, the poolside, and the sunbathing lawn creates a relaxed, almost holiday-like atmosphere – not a hectic mega-festival, but a curated experience for a maximum of a few thousand visitors.

Meticulously Crafted Staging

The organisers focus on a high level of detail: elaborate light design in the trees around the pool, decorated pool floats in all colours, a well-thought-out street food offering with cocktails, and, upon request, a hard ticket with a hologram design as a souvenir. A VIP area with its own stage and lounge offers enhanced comfort for those who want more. The atmosphere, however, remains grounded – Eningen is not an elitist festival, but a declaration of love for Swabian festival culture.

Eningen unter Achalm — The Achalm Community

Eningen unter Achalm is located in the Reutlingen district at the southern foot of the Achalm, the 706-meter-high local mountain that prominently overlooks the Swabian Jura. The community of around 11,000 inhabitants is nestled between the Albtrauf escarpment, forests, and Reutlingen – an idyllic location that the Wald Festival perfectly utilises. Before and after the festival, the day can be combined with a hike up the Achalm or a visit to Reutlingen, which is only a few kilometres away.