WOODSTICKEL Festival Karlsruhe
Free neighbourhood festival in Karlsruhe-Wolfartsweier — brass band music, rock, pop, hip-hop, blues
About WOODSTICKEL
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WOODSTICKEL — Festival from Wolfartsweier
The WOODSTICKEL Festival was launched in 2014 by the Musikverein Einheit Wolfartsweier e.V. and has since developed into one of the most remarkable neighbourhood festivals in the Karlsruhe region. The basic idea is unusual: brass band music and rock, funk, pop, hip-hop, blues under one roof — without stylistic reservations, freely accessible, organised by a music club in the Karlsruhe district of Wolfartsweier on the eastern outskirts. The festival name alludes to the raw open-air atmosphere and the wooden/"stick" look of the Ponderosa festival grounds.
Three Festival Days with Different Focuses
The three festival days follow a clear schedule: Thursday morning/lunchtime is dedicated to brass band music — music clubs from the region perform in a relaxed early-bird atmosphere, accompanied by Weisswurst, pretzels, and beer. Friday and Saturday evenings from 6 p.m. onwards feature rock, pop, funk, hip-hop, and blues — young bands from Karlsruhe and the surrounding area mingle with established acts. The stages and spectator areas are covered — the festival takes place in all weather conditions.
Acts 2026 — the 11th Edition
The line-up for the 11th edition in 2026: UKEshot & Friends (with their signature ukuleles), Cat Hill BluesBand, NOTASIS, THE STEREOLINES, Lightnin' Lee und Die Baumwollpflücker (Country, Blues, Rock 'n' Roll), Tonefields, ANGR, and Soundaffair. Thursday features various brass bands. The exact daily schedule can be found at woodstickel.de.
Ponderosa Festival Grounds and Wolfartsweier Neighbourhood
The Ponderosa festival grounds are located on the southeastern edge of the Karlsruhe district of Wolfartsweier. The district has about 3,200 inhabitants and has been part of the city of Karlsruhe since 1973 (independent city in the state of Baden-Württemberg, urban district 08212). Its hilly location at the transition to the Black Forest gives the festival its special charm — not an anonymous big city festival ground, but a neighbourhood event supported by local club culture.
WOODSTICKEL — edition 2026
WOODSTICKEL 2026 — 11th Edition
From May 14th to 16th, 2026, the Musikverein Einheit Wolfartsweier invites you to the annual festival at the Ponderosa festival grounds. Three festival days with covered stages and free admission — from the Thursday brass band early-bird gathering to two evenings with young rock and pop bands, culminating on Saturday evening.
Since 2014, the festival has established itself as an unusual neighbourhood meeting point: brass band music and rock under one roof, organised on a voluntary basis, financially sustainable through catering and sponsorship from local businesses. In 2026, the 11th edition will once again bring a mix of established regional bands and newcomers from Karlsruhe and the surrounding area.
Programme WOODSTICKEL 2026
Programme WOODSTICKEL May 14–16, 2026
- Thursday, May 14th — from 11:00 AM — Brass Band Day
- Early-bird gathering with various brass bands from the region
- Weisswurst, pretzels, beer
- Family-friendly daytime event
- Friday, May 15th — from 6:00 PM — Rock/Pop/Blues Evening
- UKEshot & Friends — the ukulele troupe with pop covers
- Cat Hill BluesBand — Blues and Roots
- NOTASIS
- THE STEREOLINES
- Saturday, May 16th — from 6:00 PM — The Grand Festival Evening
- Lightnin' Lee und Die Baumwollpflücker — Country, Blues, Rock 'n' Roll
- Tonefields
- ANGR
- Soundaffair — Festival finale
Current performance times at woodstickel.de.
Highlights WOODSTICKEL 2026
- 11th WOODSTICKEL Edition since its premiere in 2014
- Free Neighbourhood Festival in Karlsruhe-Wolfartsweier — free admission on all three days
- Covered Stages — festival takes place in all weather conditions
- Mix of Brass Band Music (Thursday) and Rock, Pop, Funk, Hip-Hop, Blues (Friday/Saturday)
- Headliners 2026: UKEshot & Friends, Cat Hill BluesBand, Lightnin' Lee und Die Baumwollpflücker
- Organiser: Musikverein Einheit Wolfartsweier e.V. — run by volunteers
Prices WOODSTICKEL 2026
Free admission on all three festival days. Food and drinks are offered by the music club and cooperating clubs at fair club prices.
Practical information — WOODSTICKEL
Getting There
Public Transport: Tram S1/S11 (Karlsruhe–Bad Herrenalb), stop Wolfartsweier Nord. From there, about a 15-minute uphill walk to the festival grounds.
Bicycle: Recommended — good cycle connection from Karlsruhe city centre.
Car: No parking at the Ponderosa festival grounds. Parking is only available at the cemetery, Heinz-Wackenhut-Weg, or at the Wolfartsweier swimming pool — from there, it's a short walk.
Address: Ponderosa Festival Grounds, Karlsruhe-Wolfartsweier.
Opening Hours
Thursday, May 14th, 2026: from 11:00 AM (Brass band early-bird gathering)
Friday, May 15th, 2026: from 6:00 PM
Saturday, May 16th, 2026: from 6:00 PM
Admission
Free admission on all three days. Food and drinks are provided by the music club and cooperating clubs.
Organiser
Musikverein Einheit Wolfartsweier e.V. More info and line-up: woodstickel.de.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place WOODSTICKEL
Festplatz Ponderosa Karlsruhe-Wolfartsweier
Festplatz Ponderosa, 76228 Karlsruhe