Five days of live programming and farewell to the FM frequency 103.4 MHz
During the 2026 Heinerfest, Radio Darmstadt (RadaR) will once again have its own open-air studio on Luisenplatz. From Thursday, July 2nd, to Monday, July 6th, the team will broadcast live daily directly from the festival grounds, offering visitors the opportunity to watch the programs live.
In addition to the regular programming, spontaneous encounters and interactions with passersby are also planned. Heinerfest Radio has been an integral part of Darmstadt's traditional festival for many years and holds special significance for the station.
This year's Heinerfest radio broadcast also marks the end of an era: Radio Darmstadt can be received for the last time during the Heinerfest on the familiar FM frequency 103.4 MHz. In the future, broadcasts will be exclusively digital via DAB+ and web radio.
The station's roots are closely linked to the Heinerfest festival. A multi-day Heinerfest radio program was first broadcast in 1995 and 1996. Radio Darmstadt has been broadcasting around the clock since 1997. The reason for the FM switch-off is the decision by the responsible Hessian media authority to discontinue funding for FM frequencies for non-commercial local radio stations.
By switching to DAB+, the station is opting for a modern broadcast method. Digital radio offers stable sound quality and a greater range than FM. At the same time, this means that reception via classic analog radios will no longer be possible.
The content remains unchanged: Radio Darmstadt continues to broadcast its usual program and can also be accessed via web stream on smartphones, tablets, or computers. The service is complemented by a media library and various podcasts, allowing for listening at any time.
The complete program schedule for Heinerfest radio, including all programs and broadcast times, will be published on the Radio Darmstadt website for the Heinerfest.
info
Heinerfestradio 2026: July 2nd to 6th, 2026
Live studio: Luisenplatz Darmstadt
Reception: DAB+ and web radio
Program overview: https://radiodarmstadt.de/heinerfestradio2026/
FAQ about the FM switch-off: https://radiodarmstadt.de/ukw-abschaltung-bei-radio-darmstadt/
Featured image: Radio Darmstadt/Leon Ebersmann
