Volunteering at festivals 2025: support & join for free
The 2025 festival summer is just around the corner and creative spaces for music, art and culture are once again springing up all over Germany this year. Many of the large and small events are free of charge and are made possible with the support of volunteers. But paid events and festivals also rely people volunteering and in return offer free admission and a unique look behind the scenes.
Would you like to be actively involved behind the scenes this summer, rather than just being a visitor? Then we’ll show you here which festivals and events you can support this summer as a volunteer and be there for free.
We will be updating this post throughout the summer. It’s worth stopping by again and again!
Free festivals 2025 in Berlin
Carnival of Cultures 2025 (06.06. – 09.06.2025) | Berlin
About the festival
Every year on Whitsun weekend, the Carnival of Cultures brings people from all over the world together with music, dance, performance, political exchange, workshops and culinary highlights. The four-day street festival culminates in a colorful parade on Pentecost Sunday, where thousands of Berliners take to the streets with creative costumes and strong messages for tolerance, sustainability and an open society. The Carnival of Cultures is more than just a festival – it is a clear statement against discrimination and for peaceful coexistence.
How you can be there
For Whitsunday (08.06.2025), helpers to support the parade on Frankfurter Allee/Karl Marx Allee as Safety Heroes in several shifts are needed. As a Safety Hero, you will ensure the protection of the green central strip – an important habitat for numerous insect species – and raise awareness of nature conservation among visitors.
On June 2, 2025, all helpers will receive detailed training on the topic and the tasks in an offline briefing.
TINCON Berlin 2025 (26. – 28.05.2025) | Berlin
About the festival
The 10th conference for digital youth culture TINCON – short for Teenage Internetwork Convention – will take place in Berlin from May 26 to 28, 2025. Whether in talks, panels, workshops or hands-on activities: At TINCON, the voices of young people take center stage. Here they can gather information, exchange ideas, network and contribute their own ideas. The conference is aimed at 13 to 25-year-olds and makes topics relating to the digital world accessible and understandable.
How you can be there
TINCON is looking for volunteers aged 25 and over who would like to actively support the event – whether in accreditation, stage management (including technology), setting up and dismantling or supervising hands-on stations and workshops.
You can support between May 23 and 29 on one day for about 8 hours or on two days for about 4 hours each. Best of all, you’ll have free access to TINCON before and after your shift and can also stop by re:publica!
International Kinokabaret Berlin 2025 (11. – 21.09.2025) | Berlin
About the festival
At the 16th international KinoKabaret film workshop, film enthusiasts from different countries come together to work on film projects. Whether script, camera, acting, editing or sound – everyone can get involved wherever they want, or simply try out something new. KinoKabarets offer a special opportunity to get to know filmmaking from the ground up without investing a lot of time or expensive equipment.
How you can be there
For the event period from September 11 – 21 and the preparation of the event, the organizers are looking for helpers who would like to participate. There are tasks in many areas: PR, social media, technology, organization, film production, communication, support and more. Meetings take place approximately twice a month from May to August.
Free festivals 2025 in Bavaria
Wallesau ist Blue Open Air Festival (29. – 30.08.2025) | Roth
About the festival
Wallesau ist Blau is a festival for rock, punk, ska and metal that takes place annually in August in Wallesau near Roth. The festival not only offers a varied music program, but also camping facilities, several food and drink stands, the popular Knüppelfrühstück and much more.
How you can be there
For the organization of the festival, dedicated helpers are needed in a wide variety of areas – from admission, bar and grill to merchandise and pizza sales to stagehands, stewards and electricians. There will also be several helpers’ meetings before the festival to get to know each other and distribute the first tasks.
District festival Konradviertel (28.05.2025) | Ingolstadt
About the festival
Once a year, neighbors, volunteers, trainers and various stakeholders come together in the Konradviertel district in Ingolstadt to put on a diverse and multicultural district festival for all residents. With music, arts and crafts activities, delicious food and lots of good vibes, the district festival is a great entertainment opportunity for young and old.
How you can be there
Support is particularly needed for setting up and dismantling as well as for supervising activities during the festival. The district festival will take place on June 28, 2025 from 12 noon to 6 pm. The exact times and areas of work will be discussed with the staff at the district meeting point.
Free festivals 2025 in Brandenburg
Jenseits von Millionen Festival (01. – 02.08.2025) | Friedland
About the festival
The Jenseits von Millionen Festival is a lovingly organized indie music festival that takes place annually on the first weekend in August at the historic Friedland Castle in Brandenburg. The organizing association, anders Festival e.V., aims to strengthen regional culture and support children’s charities at the same time. The festival offers a unique mix of indie rock and pop music, reading stages and a family atmosphere with good vegetarian and vegan food and a cozy campsite.
How you can be there
Committed volunteers are needed for a wide range of tasks – from setting up and dismantling to looking after the campsite and helping with food preparation, drinks supply and many other areas that keep the festival running.
Free festivals 2025 in Hamburg
altonale Festival (27.06. – 06.07.2025) | Hamburg
About the festival
From June 27 to July 6, 2025, the altonale festival will transform Hamburg’s Altona district into a lively stage for music, theater, film, literature, dance, art, flea markets and street art. With over 300 events, the altonale offers a varied program for visitors of all ages. Every year, around 2,000 artists, 180 organizations and numerous local businesses take part in the festival.
How you can be there
Whether it’s setting up and dismantling, working on the stage, looking after artists or at the info point – there are many opportunities to volunteer at the altonale Festival. You can volunteer on a daily basis or for several days during the festival. Of course, you will receive a thorough briefing before you start.
Free festivals 2025 in North Rhine-Westphalia
Free-Food Community Events | Cologne
About the festival
Creative Community Cologne e.V. organizes monthly free food events where people from all corners of the city come together to enjoy music, poetry, DJs and delicious food on a donation basis. In a relaxed atmosphere, a place for meeting, exchanging ideas and celebrating together is created with the motto Fostering Unity in Diversity.
How you can be there
CCC is looking for helping hands for individual events or on a long-term basis – whether for setting up and dismantling, serving food or planning and organizing in the background.
Free festivals 2025 in Saxony
ibug Festival (22.08 – 07.09.2025) | Riesa
About the festival
The ibug Festival for Urban Art is one of the most important urban art festivals in Europe. International artists use painting, graffiti, installations and multimedia to reinterpret abandoned places and fill them with life. The whole event is accompanied by a musical and educational program.
How you can be there
Dedicated helpers are needed to set up the festival. The tasks include clearing debris, preparing the outdoor areas and manual work such as building stages. Manual skills are welcome, but not a must. Helping hands are also needed for shopping, cooking and cleaning up.
The work assignments planned so far will take place on the weekends of May 9 – 11 and May 23 – 25 (Fri – Sun). Further dates during the week will follow gradually until the start of the festival.
Your vostel.de team wishes you a fantastic festival summer!
No Comments yet!