Two Bavarian festivals pause in 2027 as costs rise
Tuesday 20th October 2026 on 15:01 in
Bavaria
The Chiemsee Reggae Summer and Augsburg’s Modular Festival will take a break in 2027 as rising costs put pressure on organisers. BR reported that both festivals plan to use the pause to reconsider their future.
The Chiemsee Reggae Summer in Übersee returned this June after an eight-year break, with 33 acts and 10,000 visitors over three days. The event was smaller than in the past, but organisers, the municipality and attendees were satisfied, with less waste, traffic and noise.
Organisers cited rising expenses and changes in leisure and consumer habits as reasons for the next pause. Costs for performers, security and technical equipment have climbed, they said, while passing the increases on through ticket prices is not workable. Some fans had already complained that tickets were too expensive this year.
The organisers say they intend to bring the festival back in 2028. They plan to use the break to develop it and put it on a more sustainable footing.
Augsburg’s Modular Festival will also pause in 2027. Organisers said costs for security, technology, infrastructure and staff had risen sharply. The pause is not intended to end the festival, they said, but to help refocus it.
The festival is organised by Augsburg’s City Youth Ring, with support from the city. Organisers said they had considered smaller changes, savings, different ticket models and adjustments to operations, but concluded that these measures would not address the underlying problems.
Although there will be no large Modular weekend in its usual format, organisers plan to test smaller, more urban and decentralised events aimed at young people in Augsburg. Possible formats include pop-up events, smaller stages, festival camps, participation projects and events in neighbourhoods and the city centre. A survey will help establish what the target audience wants.
Other festivals in Germany are also taking a break in 2027, including Highfield in Saxony, Fusion in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, Appletree Garden in Lower Saxony and Umsonst & Draußen in North Rhine-Westphalia. Organisers in many cases have cited rising costs and insufficient revenue.