Name: Zappanale 2026
Start: 2026-07-16T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-07-19T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Galopprennbahn Bad Doberan

Zappanale

About Zappanale

Zappanale is the world's only international festival dedicated to the work of Frank Zappa. Since 1990, it has brought together around 20 bands from jazz, rock, classical avant-garde, and crossover genres annually in mid-July at the Bad Doberan racecourse. The main stage, Kamp-Theater, and Arf Stage form the three performance venues; fellow travellers of Zappa and major tribute acts meet newcomers from the international Zappa scene.

Dates 16 Jul — 19 Jul 2026

Venue Bad Doberan (13072)

Prices Since 130.00€

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Zappanale — edition 2026

Tickets →

The 35th Zappanale will take place from July 16 to 19, 2026, at the Bad Doberan racecourse. Around 20 bands over four days on the Mainstage, Kamp-Theater, and Arf Stage – including Mahavishnu Project, Hilo Jazz Orchestra, and Agitation Free. Special Guest: Pamela Des Barres. Tickets from €130 (4-day pass in advance).

From July 16 to 19, 2026, the 35th Zappanale will transform the historic Bad Doberan racecourse into the world's only international Frank Zappa festival. Over four days, around 20 bands will perform on three stages – Mainstage, Kamp-Theater, and Arf Stage. The organizer, as every year, is Arf Society e.V.

The 2026 lineup includes Mahavishnu Project (USA), Hilo Jazz Orchestra (USA), and Agitation Free (Germany), among others. Pamela Des Barres – musician, author, and contemporary witness of the Laurel Canyon scene – has been announced as a special guest. Camping is available on the festival grounds, with motorhome pitches for an additional charge. Tickets are available via Reservix and zappanale.de.

Highlights Zappanale 2026

35th edition since 1990
The world's only Frank Zappa festival
Mahavishnu Project, Hilo Jazz Orchestra
Pamela Des Barres as special guest
3 stages, approx. 20 bands, 4 days camping

Programme Zappanale 2026

July 16–19, 2026 — Bad Doberan Racecourse

Mahavishnu Project (USA)
Hilo Jazz Orchestra (USA)
Agitation Free (Germany)
Special Guest: Pamela Des Barres (USA)
+ approx. 16 more bands

3 Stages

Mainstage
Kamp-Theater
Arf Stage

Prices Zappanale 2026

4-day passes from approx. €130 (advance booking), single-day tickets available. Tickets via Reservix and at zappanale.de. Camping on the festival grounds included; motorhome pitches available for an additional charge.

Practical information

Practical information — Zappanale

Getting There

By train to Bad Doberan station (Rostock–Wismar line), then take the narrow-gauge railway »Molli« or walk approx. 1.5 km to the racecourse. By car via the A20, exit Bad Doberan. Accessible from all over Germany via the A1/A20.

Tickets

4-day passes from approx. €130 (advance booking), single-day tickets and camping options available. Tickets via Reservix and at zappanale.de.

Camping

Camping on the festival grounds included. Motorhome pitches available for an additional charge.

Frank Zappa as an Annual Ritual

Zappanale was launched in Bad Doberan in 1990 and has since been the only international festival explicitly focused on the musical legacy of Frank Zappa (1940–1993). The organizer is Arf Society e.V., a non-profit association dedicated to preserving and promoting Zappa's work.

Bad Doberan Racecourse

The venue is the historic Bad Doberan racecourse – just about 3 km from the Baltic seaside resort of Heiligendamm and Doberan Minster. Three stages are used: the Mainstage, the Kamp-Theater, and the Arf Stage. Camping is possible on the festival grounds; motorhome pitches are also available.

Musical Diversity

Zappanale delights fans of jazz, classic rock, avant-garde, and crossover. Over 20 bands perform on the stages over four days – including regular appearances by former members of Zappa's bands, international tribute acts, and progressive bands that carry Zappa's spirit into their own projects. In 2026, the lineup includes Mahavishnu Project, Hilo Jazz Orchestra, and Agitation Free, among others; Pamela Des Barres has been announced as a special guest.

Regional Context

Bad Doberan is located in the Rostock district (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern), about 15 km west of Rostock, in close proximity to Germany's first seaside resort, Heiligendamm, and the Baltic coast. The town is famous for Doberan Minster and the narrow-gauge railway »Molli«. For over three decades, Zappanale has made Bad Doberan an international pilgrimage site for Zappa fans.