Germany’s largest festival of campus culture returns:

3 days, 4 stages, 50 acts, 600 performers.

Orchestra meets punk, reading meets musical, acrobatics meet the bassoon.

Click here for the programme and tickets for NEUE WÄNDE 2026.

What began as an experiment in 2010 is now entering its sixth year in 2026. The NEUE WÄNDE festival opens the stages of Münster Theatre to creative students at Münster’s universities. Over three days, more than 600 students, together with lecturers and alumni, will demonstrate what is possible when they are given such creative freedom.

There is a reason why preparations began two years ago: as NEUE WÄNDE only takes place every three to four years, the festival first had to be made known among the many students who arrive in Münster anew each year. At the preparatory meetings, the groups were able to get to know one another through speed dating and forge potential collaborations. Everyone is invited, as the festival is shaped by those who take part in it.

No single genre – music, theatre, dance or literature – takes centre stage.

With the subtitle ‘… goes Europe’, the festival recalls its beginnings, as in 2010 NEUE WÄNDE was part of the official programme of ‘Ruhr.2010 – European Capital of Culture’ as part of the ‘National Heroes’ initiative.

In 2026, students from Münster’s European twin towns will take part in the NEUE WÄNDE festival, bringing their music with them and creating something new together with students from Münster. So it will be, as always: colourful, diverse and full of surprises!

In 2010, “NEUE WÄNDE” was included as an external project in the official program of the European Capital of Culture Ruhr 2010 as part of the “National Heroes” initiative.

The “NEUE WÄNDE” concept was part of Münster’s successful application as “City of Science” in 2012.

“NEUE WÄNDE” 2013 provided the platform for hosting the German Championship in Science Slam.

The “NEUE WÄNDE” 2013 poster was selected as one of the top 100 posters in the German-speaking world by the association “100 Best Posters”.

The Bürgerstiftung Münster awarded the Förderverein Hochschulkultur Münster e.V. with the Citizen Award in 2015.

“NEUE WÄNDE” 2017 carried the widely communicated subtitle: “Germany’s largest festival of campus culture.” No other university city challenged Münster for this superlative.

While the coronavirus pandemic led to widespread cancellations in 2020, students quickly developed digital alternatives for their performances. With PLAN B, “NEUE WÄNDE 2020” was able to take place even under difficult conditions.

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