# Dorsten Red Balloon Festival 2026

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/dorsten-red-balloon-festival-2026
> Updated: 2026-08-01T11:44:13.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 2.

The Red Balloon Festival opened in Dorsten on 31 July 2026, featuring local newcomer Dead May and headlining ska‑punk group Vertikal. Tickets were priced at €20 for day passes and €35 for full‑festival access, and a festival T‑shirt was offered. Police checks on cyclists and e‑scooters were conducted the same day, and the city’s unemployment rate rose to 7.1 %.

The event continued on 1 August 2026 as a two‑day programme at the LEO venue, drawing crowds to performances by regional acts such as Butterwegge and Vertikal among seventeen bands selected from over 200 applications. Organizer Jacky Möller thanked the city agency, local sponsors, LEO staff and mayor Tobias Stockhoff, who joked about the rain‑free weather. Attendees enjoyed a mix of rock, punk and pop across the festival’s stages.

## Claims

- The Red Balloon Festival 2026 was held on July 31 and August 1 at the LEO venue in Dorsten. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The festival featured bands Butterwegge and Vertikal among its line‑up. (single source)
- Seventeen bands were selected from more than 200 applications. (single source)
- Organizer Jacky Möller thanked the city agency Dorsten, Sparkasse Dorsten, Atlantis, and mayor Tobias Stockhoff for their support. (single source)
- Mayor Tobias Stockhoff commented that the festival had no rain this year, jokingly attributing it to the new venue manager. (single source)
- Swantje Bärenfänger, head of the LEO venue staff, thanked volunteers for their work at the festival. (single source)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-01: Red Balloon Festival 2026 draws crowds in Dorsten

The Red Balloon Festival’s seventh edition took place in Dorsten on July 31–August 1, 2026, featuring 17 bands (including Butterwegge and Vertikal) selected from 200+ applications, with organizer Jacky Möller,

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/red-balloon-festival-2026-draws-crowds-in-dorsten

### 2026-07-30: Dorsten Red-Ballon Festival launches, headlined by Vertikal

Dorsten's Red‑Balloon Festival opened with Dead May and headliner Vertikal; tickets €20‑€35, festival T‑shirt on sale, police fined cyclists and e‑scooter riders, and local unemployment rose to 7.1 % in July.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/johanniter-firstaid-courses-offered-in-wuppertal-during-summer-holidays

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Cite as: Dorsten Red Balloon Festival 2026. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/dorsten-red-balloon-festival-2026