Dorsten Red-Ballon Festival launches, headlined by Vertikal

The Red‑Balloon Festival opened in Dorsten on 31 July 2026, kicked off by the local newcomer band Dead May. The evening’s headline act was the Dorsten ska‑punk group Vertikal, performing at 22:45. Day tickets cost €20 and full‑festival tickets €35, and a special festival T‑shirt is available.

On the same day Dorsten police carried out checks on cyclists and e‑scooter riders, issuing six fines each for violations such as ghost riding, missing lights and carrying a passenger. The local unemployment rate rose to 7.1 % in July 2026, with 2 834 people registered as unemployed, up from 2 720 the previous month.