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The 28th edition brings an entire quarter to life
A highlight of the Martinskerb festival this year is once again the Watzemussiggnacht (Watze Music Night ). On Saturday, September 13, 2025, the Martinsviertel district will be transformed into a large music area for the 28th time. 25 venues and squares will open their doors, and more than 100 musicians and DJs will provide a diverse program until late into the night.
The musical variety is vast: from rock, pop, and oldies to blues, jazz, and folk, all the way to Latin, reggae, and electronic sounds. This means the Watzemussiggnacht appeals to a broad audience – from die-hard Watze fans to guests from all over Darmstadt and the surrounding area. As always, admission is free.
Opening event under the open sky
The first open-air concerts begin as early as 7 p.m. The band Endorphine . US rocker Adam Bomb perform in the courtyard between Low Brow and Red Barn. This year's Kerb patron, Frank Friedrich Grossmann, will present the Kolonia Express with songs in the Cologne dialect at his family's birthplace on Kranichsteiner Straße. Salsa rhythms will be provided by the house band in the garden of the Adega Alentejana, while DJ Petra will create a disco atmosphere in St. Martin's Church.
Other open-air venues include the Fohlenhof with the band Kellerparty and the Martinsstubb', where Watzemussiggnacht initiator Matthias “Mecki” Mekschrat performs with his band We Change .
Music until late into the night
From 9 pm onwards, the party continues in the pubs and bars. Blues, folk, Latin, rock, and electronic music fill the neighborhood's venues with life. Among the performers are Mystery Train , Pint Size Company , Mama Limon , The MoKer , We2 , and Space C – a cross-section of the Darmstadt music scene and beyond.
Information for visitors
Organizers request that patrons refrain from bringing their own drinks into the venues. Out of consideration for local residents, doors and windows must remain closed from 10 p.m. onwards; the music night ends at 1 a.m. The event will be monitored by the public order office and police. Attendees are encouraged to arrive on foot, by bicycle, or by public transport.
With the Watzemussiggnacht, the Martinsviertel once again demonstrates that it is one of the most vibrant districts of Darmstadt – a musical fair tradition that radiates far beyond the city limits.
Overview of the program for the 28th Watzemussiggnacht
Saturday, September 13, 2025
Open Air from 7:00 PM
- Riegerplatz fairground: Endorphins
- Hof Low Brow / Red Barn (Erbacher Straße 5): Adam Bomb
- Hof Kranichsteiner Str. 11: Kolonia Express (Cologne songs, presented by patron Frank Friedrich Grossmann)
- Adega Alentejana (Garden): Houseband (Salsa)
- Martinskirche: DJ Petra (“Disco in de' Kersch'”)
- Fohlenhof: Cellar party
- Martinsstubb': We Change (with Watzemussiggnacht founder Matthias "Mecki" Mekschrat)
From 9 p.m. onwards in the pubs and restaurants
- Alternative / Indie / HipHop: Marian Kleebaum (Baobab)
- Blues / Folk: Mystery Train (Pillhuhn), Pint Size Company (Ireland Pub)
- DJs: DJ Elric Funke (Hobbit), DJ Petra (Martinskirche), DJ Rubixx & Friends (Watzepunkt), DJ Surprice (Bruchbude), DJ Traumtherapie (TrinkBar meets Shots), Uppercut Crew (Los Santos)
- Latin / Reggae: Abass Kakatar (Berry's), Adega Houseband (Adega Alentejana), Alberto Colucci (Pizzeria Roma), Huepa (Oktagon), Mama Limon (HoffART-Theater)
- Pop / Rock: Kolonia Express (Kranichsteiner Str. 11), Michelangelou & Friends (Kessel), The MoKer (Daedis), Sangesfreunde Martinsviertel (Gastspielhaus), We Change (Martinsstubb'), We2 (Non Italiano)
- Blues rock / hard rock: Adam Bomb (Red Barn), Endorphine (Festplatz), Kellerparty (Fohlenhof), Kleiderschrankfaltbar (Hotzenplotz), Space C. (Low Brow)
