Poolbar Festival

Poolbar Festival in Feldkirch – “Culture from niche to pop”

The Poolbar Festival, which reinvents itself completely every year, will delight around 40,000 visitors from all over Europe, but especially from Austria and neighboring regions (Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Germany), with fresh and high-quality alternative and pop culture events from July 8 to August 16, 2026, i.e., for around six diverse weeks.

The multifaceted program ranges from family-friendly jazz breakfasts in the park to cinema, readings, discussions, performances, and dance-filled club nights, small concerts featuring undiscovered gems, and large concerts with renowned artists.
In recent years, with Aloe Blacc, Marilyn Manson, Jurassic5, Travis, Dispatch, Santigold, Cro, Bilderbuch, Wanda, Regina Spektor, Yann Tiersen, Macy Gray, OK Go, Kosheen, Kate Nash, James, Tocotronic, Bad Religion, Casper, Maximo Park, HIM, Pixies, Jake Bugg, Cat Power, Conor Oberst, The Naked And Famous, Element of Crime, Eels, Deichkind, Yungblud, Faber, Ziggy Marley, Alice Merton, White Lies, Seasick Steve, Bilderbuch, Kodaline, Mighty Oaks, Tove Lo, Camo&Krooked, Blood Red Shoes, Fink, Milow, Patrice, Sharktank, The Notwist, Keziah Jones, Stermann & Grissemann, José Gonzalez, Sportfreunde Stiller, HVOB, Metronomy, Protoje, Jeremy Loops, Agnes Obel, Son Lux, Efterklang, Lola Marsh, Erol Alkan, As I Lay Dying, Everything Everything, Tom Gregory, Salute, Xavier Rudd, Danger Dan, Helge Schneider, Gentleman, Peaches, The Black Angels, Charlie Cunningham, Symba, Heaven Shall Burn, Kruder & Dorfmeister Digitalism, Mayberg, Tones And I, Gayle, Faithless (live), BBNO$, Klangkarussell, Cari Cari, Calexico, Bombay Bicycle Club, Fink, Testament, Dragonforce, Steel Pulse, Kaffkiez, The Warning, and many more.
Most recently, in the summer of 2025, featuring Aloe Blacc, Camo & Krooked, Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, Helge Schneider, Kettcar, Melvins, Mighty Oaks, Milky Chance, Noga Erez, RIAN, Tocotronic, Wolfmother, ZAZ, and others.

Under the title “Space Program,” discursive and participatory events—discussions, lectures, workshops, excursions, readings, music—at special locations in the region, from swimming pools to power plants to vacant buildings, round out the cultural offerings in the fall.

Elaborate design in all areas makes the Poolbar Festival even more unique: in the Poolbar Generator, a temporary laboratory for designing the Poolbar Festival, around 50 students and lecturers/teachers spend up to 10 days in Hohenems every spring developing concepts in the fields of architecture, product design, graphics, public art, street art, literature, and digital projects. The highlight: the ideas are implemented by summer and form the creative framework for a completely new Poolbar Festival every year.

Innovative pool bar graphics, experimental spaces, artistic interventions, and a diverse audience come together every summer to create an international, stylish scene and cultural festival where niche talents can be discovered and world stars enjoyed up close.
Efforts in the areas of social inclusion and environmental sustainability are a natural part of the event. An awareness concept aims to promote mutual respect at all levels.
Numerous awards (including the Austrian State Prize for Art, the UN Climate Protection Prize, and the Josef Binder Award in Gold) are very gratifying, but euphoric artists and visitors are the best ambassadors for Poolbar.