Zur Wilden Hilde Festival

The alternative summer festival on the Lower Rhine

Zur Wilden Hilde is one of the most important independent Punk, Rock, and Reggae open-airs on the Lower Rhine. Organized by the collective Open Air Hoher Busch in cooperation with terz machen and VLIP, the next edition will take place on July 31 and August 1, 2026 on the meadow at the Steinlabyrinth, Aachener Weg in 41747 Viersen. Wilde Hilde stands for DIY culture, thoughtful awareness work, and a lineup that mixes German and international acts without genre limitations.

The 2026 Lineup — 12 Bands Over Two Days

• Kadavar (Berlin) — Vintage Rock in the style of Black Sabbath and Led Zeppelin
• JAYA The Cat (Amsterdam) — Reggae, Ska, and Dub with Punk energy
• Blackout Problems (Munich) — Alternative Rock with a political stance
• H2O (NYC) — Legendary Hardcore Punk band from New York
• Bad Cop Bad Cop (Los Angeles) — Female-fronted Melodic Punk
• Tim Vantol (NL) — Dutch Folk-Punk songwriter
• a Wilhelm scream (Massachusetts) — Hardcore Punk classic
• Udo Butter & das Team (Berlin) — Ska and critique of capitalism
• False lefty — Indie/Post-Rock duo
• Explisz — Local crossover with over 30 years of history
• Leaves in Flames (Mönchengladbach) — Hard Rock
• Ally N. (Mönchengladbach) — Newcomer

Open Air Hoher Busch — The Venue

The meadow at the Steinlabyrinth, Aachener Weg in Viersen, is located in the middle of the Hoher Busch forest and recreational area — a place with character, far from the commercial festival industry. The stage, food trucks, drink stands, and awareness tent are professionally set up without losing their DIY charm. Camping is not allowed on the grounds — those who wish to stay overnight can use the limited public options in the surrounding area or commute from Viersen, Mönchengladbach, or Krefeld.

Awareness — the “Luisa Code”

Wilde Hilde takes the topic of Awareness seriously. The festival has implemented the “Luisa Code”: Anyone who feels harassed or uncomfortable can ask for “Luisa” at the bar and will immediately be accompanied to a safe space by trained security personnel. A clear statement against sexism, discrimination, and assault — and a standard that not all festivals of this size achieve.

Tickets and Prices

• Festival Ticket Regular: €99
• Festival Ticket Reduced: €89
• Day Tickets: available from April 2026
• Children under 13: Free admission
• Severely Disabled Persons (GdB 60+): reduced rates

For 2026, there are online tickets only. Box offices are not planned.

A Festival with a Stance

In the 2026 festival summer, commercial large-scale events with 100,000 visitors and corporate sponsorship will certainly stand out — Wilde Hilde consciously chooses the opposite. A small, curated, political event with a clear stance. Those who want to experience bands like H2O, Bad Cop Bad Cop, or a Wilhelm scream in a relaxed atmosphere, without being pushed through endless crowds, are in the right place here.