Weserlieder Open Air Minden

The Festival on the Weser Embankment

The Weserlieder Open Air is the musical calling card of the Minden cultural association WESERLIEDER Kultur e.V. Every summer, the association transforms the city's Amphitheater on the Weserpromenade into an open stage with two festival evenings — with free admission. The idea: culture should be accessible. Those who come in pay nothing. Those who stay support with donations, beer, or bratwurst.

When: 17 and 18 July 2026

The 2026 Open Air runs on Friday, 17 July, with doors opening at 7:00 PM, and on Saturday, 18 July, with doors opening at 6:30 PM. Both evenings end at 1:00 AM. Four performance slots per day, with international headliners at the end.

2026 Programme — International Diversity

The festival maintains its mix of local Minden acts and guests from all over Europe and overseas. In 2026, performers include:

• Godsleep (Greece) — Stoner rock from Athens
• Lakmann One / MistahNice / EL9SIX — Hip-hop from Minden
• Candypunx — Punk rock
• Mina Richman — Singer-songwriter
• Nuju (Italy) — Folk singer-songwriter
• Flatfoot 56 (USA) — Celtic Punk from Chicago
• Fensterbank — Minden local heroes

Where: Amphitheater on the Weserpromenade

The Minden Amphitheater is located directly on the Weser embankment, a few hundred meters from the city center. The tiered seating opens up towards the stage — the Weser flows behind it, creating a perfect festival backdrop in the summer. Those not sitting in the amphitheater can relax on the adjacent lawn or stand at one of the beer stalls. Family-friendly, dog-friendly, with a Weser atmosphere.

WESERLIEDER Kultur e.V. — The Association Behind It

Behind the festival is a circle of volunteers who organise concerts, readings, and cultural events throughout the year. The Open Air is the annual highlight — financed by sponsorship from local breweries, tech companies, and Minden businesses, as well as by audience donations. The festival deliberately positions itself as a counter-model to large commercial events: no tickets, no VIP area, no branded stages.

Minden — City on the Weser

With a good 80,000 inhabitants, Minden is the largest city in the Minden-Lübbecke district in North Rhine-Westphalia. Famous for the Waterways Cross, where the Weser meets the Mittelland Canal. Those travelling for the festival should combine their visit with a stroll along the Waterways Cross, through the old town of Minden, or to the Cathedral — the late Romanesque Minden Cathedral is one of the oldest sacred buildings in Westphalia.

Free entry — yet not a given

The Weserlieder Open Air shows that sophisticated live music doesn't necessarily have to cost admission. The range — from Greek Stoner Rock to Chicago Celtic Punk — would be a highlight at any paid festival. In Minden, it's a gift to the city.