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
- Free festivals 2025 in Baden-Württemberg
- Free festivals 2025 in Bavaria
- Free festivals 2025 in Brandenburg
- Free festivals 2025 in Hamburg
- Free festivals 2025 in Hesse
- Free festivals 2025 in North Rhine-Westphalia
- Free festivals 2025 in Rhineland-Palatinate
- Free festivals 2025 in Saxony
- Free festivals 2025 in Saxony-Anhalt
- Festivals & sustainability?
Free festivals 2025 in Berlin
Fête de la Musique (21.06.2025) | Berlin
About the festival
On June 21, 2025, Berlin will become the stage for the Fête de la Musique – the international festival of music – under the motto “Celebrating connects”. All over the city, people will come together to enjoy music, dance and celebrate. Visitors can expect a colorful mix of indie, blues, rock and punk – played by experienced musicians as well as exciting newcomers – plus delicious food, refreshing drinks and a great atmosphere.
How you can be there
The festival is looking for committed helpers to support the stand on 21.06.2025 from 13:30 to 20:00 – for example with the barbecue, food distribution or guest information. We are also looking for support in the awareness team, which promotes diversity, inclusion, environmental awareness and sustainability and implements corresponding measures on site.
Siemensstadt 2025 district festival (21.06.2025) | Berlin
About the festival
On June 21, 2025, a colorful and lively neighborhood festival will be celebrated in Siemensstadt, Berlin. The festival – organized by the social-cultural network casa e.V. – is part of the international Fête de la Musique and offers a varied program with music, children’s activities, culinary delights and hands-on stands. It creates a place for cultural diversity, exchange and neighborly togetherness.
How you can be there
The festival is looking for volunteers who would like to support the district festival in various areas. You can choose from:
- Carrying help (from 12 noon): Setting up tables, chairs and pavilions, creating shaded areas and distributing water stations
- Decoration (from 1 pm): Hanging balloons and bunting, putting up signs and notices
- Cleanliness (from 3 or 6 pm): Walk around the site with litter tongs, collect litter and keep things tidy
13th HofFestSpiele (07.-12.07.2025) | Berlin-Kreuzberg
About the festival
The HofFestSpiele is a participatory community art festival in the courtyard of the Theater Expedition Metropolis. Neighborhoods, cultural workers, artists and initiatives come together here to create a diverse, creative and unifying weekend. There will be theater, music, dance, workshops, culinary delights and much more – outdoors, open to all and free of charge.
How you can be there
We are looking for committed helpers to support the festival from 07-12.07.2025 in various areas – for example in setting up, decorating, at the bar, serving food or looking after guests. Active support is also needed in areas such as technology, artist support or flyer distribution.
The organizer will provide food and drinks – and there will be a small helpers’ party to round off the event.
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 Baden-Württemberg
Stuttgart CSD 2025 (24.07 – 28.07.2025) | Stuttgart
About the festival
CSD Stuttgart – also known as Stuttgart PRIDE – is one of the biggest queer events in Baden-Württemberg. With the cultural weeks, the powerful demonstration through the city center and the subsequent Hocketse with live stages, information stands and culinary offerings, the event sends a strong signal for queer visibility and equality every year.
How you can be there
We are looking for committed helpers who would like to support the CSD in various areas – whether as donation angels, setting up or dismantling, at the drinks trolleys or looking after stands. You can decide for yourself where and for how long you would like to help. Regular breaks and good refreshments are a matter of course. There are opportunities to volunteer on all five days – from July 24 to 28, 2025.
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.
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.
You can also support the festival in the long term – as an active member of the association! The association is looking for people who would like to get involved in the organization, planning and development of the festival – e.g. in public relations, booking, funding applications or association administration.
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.
Wutzrock 2025 (08. – 10.08.2025) | Hamburg
About the festival
The Wutzrock Festival is a colorful music and cultural festival that brings together Hamburg’s creative scene. It stands for colorfulness, loudness, solidarity, “is non-commercial, fights against sexism and is absolutely anti-fascist”. The festival takes place outside and is free of charge for all visitors.
How you can be there
The festival is looking for committed helpers for the walking act who will bring the festival to life with fun and creativity, inspire the audience and celebrate volunteering and make it visible.
Free festivals 2025 in Hesse
CSD Frankfurt am Main (17.-20.07.2025) | Frankfurt am Main
About the festival
Christopher Street Day (CSD) in Frankfurt is one of the biggest Pride events in Hesse and sends out a powerful signal for diversity, equality and queer visibility. In addition to the big demonstration on Saturday, there is a colourful stage programme, information stands from initiatives and a diverse supporting programme in the heart of the city – organized by CSD Frankfurt e.V.
How you can be there
The organizers are looking for committed volunteers for various areas of work – from set-up and dismantling to backstage support, awareness teams, information stands and accompanying the demo. For their commitment, volunteers will receive the CSD helper T-shirt, a goodie bag and catering with food and drinks on site.
ANDEREWELT Festival 2025 (07. – 10.08.2025) | Kassel
About the festival
The Anderewelt Festival is a creative festival that inspires with a diverse program of live music, workshops and film projects. It offers space for artistic creation, exchange and shared experience. In addition to film screenings and script readings, visitors can also camp here in comfort – whether in the traditional way or as environmentally friendly green glamping. Delicious vegan and vegetarian food at fair prices will be served.
How you can be there
The organizers are looking for dedicated helpers to support the festival on site – whether it’s setting up and dismantling, supervising workshops and artists or helping with organizational and creative tasks.
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.
Dortmund CSD 2025 (16.08.2025) | Dortmund
About the festival
With up to 10,000 visitors, Christopher Street Day also sends a strong signal for diversity, visibility and equality in Dortmund. CSD Dortmund is organized by the SLADO e.V. association and includes a demonstration through the city centre as well as a diverse stage and cultural programme with information stands, music and encounters.
How you can be there
SLADO e.V. is looking for committed helpers for the awareness team who want to create a respectful setting together with the CSD team. You should have an open manner and be keen to familiarize yourself with awareness principles in advance. There will be several preparatory meetings and an introductory workshop beforehand.
Free festivals 2025 in Rhineland-Palatinate
Fallen Fortress Open Air 2025 (30.08.2025) | Bad Dürkheim
About the festival
The Fallen Fortress Open Air is a metal and rock festival with around 1,600 to 2,000 visitors every year. The festival is organized by the Rock die Burg e.V. association, which puts on the event entirely on a voluntary basis. In addition to a great line-up with eleven bands – including the international acts Attila (USA) and Crystal Lake (Japan) – visitors can expect an easy-going atmosphere as well as good food and drink.
How you can be there
The festival organisers are looking for motivated volunteers who would like to support the festival on site – for example at the entrance, at the bar, during set-up and dismantling or in stage support. All volunteers receive free entry, food, a volunteer shirt and the opportunity to see their favorite band live in the infield by arrangement.
Free festivals 2025 in Saxony
Lonesome Lake Festival (27.-29.07.2025) | Zittau
About the festival
The Lonesome Lake Festival takes place in the middle of the Zittau Mountains Nature Park, right by the lake, at the end of July. It combines music, art and sustainability to create a special experience in the countryside. Organized by Lonesome Lake e.V., it is a loving, conscious festival with lots of DIY flair, space for camping, vegetarian and vegan delicacies and a family atmosphere.
How you can be there
The organisers are looking for motivated helpers in the period from 23.06. to 01.07.2025 to support the festival in various areas – e.g. setting up and dismantling, assisting artists and guests or at the entrance.
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.
Free festivals 2025 in Saxony-Anhalt
SENSUS Festival (21.-25.08.2025) | Zerbst/Anhalt
About the festival
From August 21 to 25, a former military airfield in Saxony-Anhalt will be the setting for a diverse festival experience. The Sensus Festival combines electronic beats with punk, hip-hop, indie and pop – from newcomer artists to local greats. In addition to the music program, visitors can expect delicious food, cold drinks and the opportunity to camp.
How you can be there
The SENSUS Festival is looking for committed supporters who would like to help out on individual days or over several days. Together with the Psyclean crew, you will work to keep the festival clean: You will greet visitors at the entrances, distribute ashtrays and garbage bags and raise awareness of environmentally conscious behavior. During the festival, you will be visibly out and about on the site, collecting garbage with bin tongs and gloves and actively ensuring that the site remains clean and inviting.
The commitment comprises about five hours per day – flexibly divisible on the festival days and on two further days for the final cleaning of the site
Festivals & sustainability?
Sustainability is also playing a growing role in the festival and event sector – for example in reducing waste, climate-friendly travel, barrier-free access and fair working conditions behind the scenes. Organisers and networks are increasingly concerned with the question of how festivals can be made more environmentally, socially and economically sustainable.
An important player in this field is the Höme – For Festivals network, which is committed to promoting greater sustainability in the festival industry with various projects. These include educational formats such as the ‘Festival Playground’, cooperation with initiatives such as ‘Music Declares Emergency’, the annual award for particularly sustainable festivals and surveys on environmentally relevant aspects of events.
Get involved in the area of sustainability at festivals
Many events are specifically looking for volunteer support in the area of sustainability – e.g. in recycling, awareness work or the supervision of accessibility measures. If the topic is important to you, you can ask the organisers specifically about getting involved in this area.
Your vostel.de team wishes you a fantastic festival summer!
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