Festival du Houblon

Festival du Houblon: The Rhythms and Colors of the World in Haguenau

Since 1960, Haguenau's Festival du Houblon has made Alsace vibrate to the rhythms of the entire world. Created by the Maison des Associations (formerly the Office des Sports et Loisirs), this festival was born as a popular celebration marking the start of the hop harvest, an emblematic plant of the region — Haguenau having been an international hop trading hub until 1910.

Folkloric Groups from Five Continents

What was initially just a friendly weekend bringing together folkloric groups from Alsace and Germany has gradually transformed into a leading international festival. Since the 2000s, artistic ensembles from the five continents have been invited, allowing the public to discover the musical and dance traditions of over 100 countries or regions over the decades. Each edition now hosts around 500 international artists.

An Ambitious Five-Day Program

The festival unfolds over five to six days in several emblematic locations in Haguenau:

• The Theater hosts the main evening shows
• The Halle aux Houblons offers immersive dinner shows
• The Bar du Monde buzzes with the sound of concerts and late-night DJ sets
• The Forum des Cultures features daytime performances
• The neighborhoods of Haguenau host local events

A Commitment to Cultural Diversity

Affiliated with CIOFF France (International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts), itself an official partner of UNESCO, the Festival du Houblon is committed to preserving and promoting intangible cultural heritage. In 2017, it received the Grand Bretzel d'Or, the highest distinction awarded by the Institute of Alsatian Popular Arts and Traditions.

1,200 Volunteers, 50,000 Festival-goers

The strength of the Festival du Houblon lies in the exceptional commitment of its 1,200 volunteers, mobilized for artist reception, logistics, catering, and event organization. This tremendous community effort allows us to welcome around 50,000 festival-goers each year in a warm and generous atmosphere, true to the Alsatian spirit of conviviality.