The top 8 of the best German folk festivals
In Germany, music of all kinds is highly appreciated, and many festivals take place, including some interesting folk festivals. However, these are not always exclusively dedicated to the folk genre, as groups often perform that mix various music styles. Folk can be wonderfully combined with styles like jazz or heavy metal. At the top 8 best German folk festivals, you might also discover the music of some of these innovators.
#1 Ingelheim am Rhein
In Ingelheim am Rhein, a folk festival has been held regularly for 50 years. It’s not far from Frankfurt Airport by car. This event is called the Eurofolk Festival and takes place over four days in June. Do not confuse it with the Eurofolk Scout Troop Event: this is a completely different event organized in a different country each year. Ingelheim is an attractive town on the banks of the Rhine. This area is historically closely linked to Charlemagne. A gold coin with his image was even found here. The Eurofolk Festival is held on the grounds of the Burgkirche and has a large hippie fan base.
#2 Rudolstadt
In Rudolstadt, one of the oldest and best folk festivals in Germany also takes place. Rudolstadt is located in the state of Thuringia. The town lies on the Saale in a wide valley surrounded by forests. The Heidecksburg, which hosts the festival, is situated on a hill above the old town. The festival was first held in 1955 as the “Festival of German Folk Dance.” Over time, additional dance and folklore events were added, and eventually, groups from Eastern Europe were invited. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the festival received a completely new orientation and developed into a world music festival. Often, there are more musicians in the town than concert guests. This is a fantastic festival full of innovations and daring experiments, featuring artists from around 40 countries. Each year, the festival is dedicated to a different focus country. In addition to concerts, workshops and masterclasses are held each time, allowing visitors to deepen their knowledge of the music of the country presented that year.
#3 The Irish Folk Festival
The Irish Folk Festival promotes itself with the friendly slogan “Come as a visitor – leave as a friend.” Unlike most festivals, this event does not have a fixed location but tours through the most famous cities in Germany. So, you might be lucky enough to attend one of these performances. The festival has been touring for 49 years!
#4 Folk am Turm
In the spa town of Bad Wünnenberg in North Rhine-Westphalia, an interesting festival known as Folk am Turm takes place. It was originally intended to provide more entertainment for spa guests. However, it has since become a festival of international standing. The concerts are held in beautiful buildings. Since then, the town has become a new home for many. The buildings used for the festival include the Spanckenhof from the 18th century, a warehouse from the 17th century, the baroque church St. Antonius, a chapel, a restored watchtower that gives the festival its name “Folk am Turm,” an art school, the spa park, and a shooting hall. The festival no longer limits itself to just a few days but seems to extend throughout the summer. Take a look at the program. Perhaps you can combine a concert visit with a hotel stay and some beneficial spa treatments.
#5 Wassermusik Festival
The Berlin Wassermusik Festival takes place from July to August on the rooftop terrace of the House of World Cultures. Each year, a specific theme is the focus. This year, it is the Mississippi River. The music offered is usually a mix of different genres, including jazz, blues, folk, and much more. You can combine a festival visit with a longer stay in Berlin, as there is always much to do and see here.
#6 Wacken Open Air
The Wacken Open Air Festival has been around since 1990. It takes place from the end of July to the beginning of August in the small village of Wacken in Schleswig-Holstein. Although it is one of the largest and most well-known metal festivals, other styles and subgenres are often on the program, so medieval or mystic rock/folk can also be seen here. Celtic music is very popular in Germany, so it is likely that Celtic rock groups will also perform here.
#7 Superbloom Festival
The Superbloom Festival is held in Munich’s Olympiapark, which was created for the Olympic Games. It takes place at the beginning of September and is an event with multiple concerts over a weekend, featuring various music genres. In addition to folk, the festival also offers pop, hip-hop, indie, and jazz music.
#8 Bremer Freimarkt
The northern German city of Bremen is often considered the home of folk festivals. This is a city that captivates with its fairytale charm. No wonder, then, that the Bremen Town Musicians, one of the most famous fairy tales by the Brothers Grimm, were at home here. The city’s main attraction is the Bremer Freimarkt, a folk festival that lasts seventeen days from mid-October to early November. The people of Bremen claim it is the oldest folk festival in Germany. It attracts four million visitors. Highlights of the festival include live music, drinks, and dancing on the historic marketplace.
