18. Umsonst & Draussen Festival

artderkultur e.V. and its volunteers are looking forward to welcoming guests and bands once again in 2026 to what remains the only free outdoor festival in Saxony. For what is now the 18th edition, the weather-hardened crew will welcome the enthusiastic audience—just as they have in recent years—to the comparatively small but now beloved festival grounds below the Garnisonkirche (Stauffenbergallee/Hans-Oster-Straße). Arriving early not only ensures a good spot on the quaint and cozy grounds but also gives you the chance to get the fullest possible taste of the festival’s famously diverse musical mix.

“Free & Outdoors”—these aren’t just empty words—admission is, of course, free, and there’s still no roof over your head. Guests can expect the festival’s signature, creative DIY layout, laid-back people at the entrance and behind the bars, and a stage packed over three days with a diverse lineup of regional and national bands outside the mainstream.

Day 1, doors open at 7:00 p.m.:

Thursday, the opening day, is always reserved for a special act and, for the first time this year, will feature classical music. 

PHONG, whose real name is Phong Nguyen, taught himself to play the piano and came to Dresden to pursue it professionally and study at the local University of Music. Phong is now nearing the completion of his master’s degree and sees himself as a pianist straddling the worlds of classical and modern music, influenced above all by Beethoven’s music, which is full of contrasts and sudden shifts in mood. One moment cheerful, suddenly dramatic, then gentle again, and immediately afterward ecstatic—yet always full of spirit. And this will also be reflected in his program on the festival Thursday. The program will include, among other works, Beethoven’s “Pathétique Sonata,” Chopin’s “Nocturne, Op. 15, No. 1,” Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” (1st movement), Kenji Kawai’s “IP Man Theme,” and Fazil Say’s “Paganini Jazz.”

Day 2, doors open at 6:30 p.m.:

The second day of the festival begins—as befits a proper after-work party—in the early evening and will feature performances by the following bands, among others:

SCHMUTZ from Dresden (not to be confused with the Stuttgart band “Schmutzki”) make uncompromising, handmade music that blends punk, rap, and indie, and are known for their sassy attitude and self-deprecating lyrics about everyday life and failure.

CROCUTA is a grunge-pop band from Leipzig with a penchant for offbeat harmonies and unconventional rhythms that hit you right in the pit of your stomach—but in a pleasant way. Basically, they’re like “Warpaint who’ve listened to too much prog music.”

PAPER PLANES from Offenbach have made themselves at home somewhere between instrumental indie and intricate post-rock, dreamy melodies and 7/8 time, pop appeal, and a punk attitude.

Day 3, doors open at 3:00 p.m.:

Week after week at the Zentralwerk, the ZENTRALWERKCHOR explores voice and body through polyphonic songs, vocal improvisations, and movement experiments—making them the perfect choice to kick off our festival Saturday!

VERKANNT from Dresden exude not only gentle but also rock-inspired sounds. Originally formed during an occupational therapy session, the music not only gives the band members the support they need in life and the strength to keep looking bravely ahead, but it’s also well worth a listen!

SIX GOOD YEARS shamelessly blend anger and kitsch with anything that’s danceable. The band captured their synth-heavy take on punk last year on their debut album “Is all we have,” which was released in the summer of ’25. Now they’re bringing it to life on stage. Time to feel something. Six Good Years is all we have...

POLL3 achieved a notable success in 2024, seemingly out of nowhere, with their first song “Grüne Krümel” on YouTube, blending elements of punk, grunge, and NDW into an energetic sound. That same year, their debut album “Randale & Liebe” was also released via Børwaerk Records.

FFUNKOFF is a dynamic band that has set out to unlock new facets of funk. Amid wild chord progressions and jazzy bass solos, a metal section might suddenly pop up, but moments later the band is grooving again in a funky 5/4 time signature as if nothing had happened. Their sound oscillates between soaring and pounding, between catchy and unconventional melodies and rhythms that defy all conventions.

Powerful, brash, and eager to experiment, the Dresden-based punk band FIXIT draws on a wide variety of musical influences and combines straight-ahead punk beats with shrill noise-rock and post-rock sounds. Lyrically oscillating between anger, defiance, and irony, the occasional catchy tune burrows its way unerringly into your ears.

The quartet CIFY clearly draws on many years of experience in heavy and progressive music and owes its captivating, almost hypnotic effect to sophisticated musical arrangements, precise synchronization, and brute dynamism. A powerful vortex that’s hard to resist!