3. Rollover Festival

The third edition of the international percussion festival Überschlag will take place in Hannover from August 19 to 23, 2026. The festival is held under the patronage of Falko Mohrs, Lower Saxony’s Minister of Science and Culture, and brings together international stars of the percussion scene, local artists, and up-and-coming talents from around the world.
After just two successful editions, Überschlag is now considered one of Europe’s most important percussion festivals.

Artists from 24 countries on five continents are expected to attend. Among them are the GRAMMY-nominated composer and drummer Andy Akiho (USA) and the Italian drum virtuoso Simone Rubino.

“Hannover has held the title of UNESCO City of Music since 2014. The designation recognizes the city’s extraordinary musical diversity, its excellent educational opportunities, and the music scene’s strong international network. The Überschlagfestival impressively underscores this special status,” says Christian Katz, managing director of Hannover Marketing und Tourismus GmbH.

Under this year’s theme of the earthy, the handmade, and the immediately tangible, the festival focuses on the primal power of rhythm. For five days, Hannover will become a resonant space for rhythm—with concerts, performances, and interactive events in which the audience becomes part of the collective pulse.

Venues include the Ballhof at the Lower Saxony State Theater (festival center), the Holzhalle at the Hainhölzer Höfe, the Marktkirche, the Neustädter Hof- und Stadtkirche, the Indiego Glocksee, and other locations in the city center.

The festival kicks off in the Holzhalle at the Hainhölzer Höfe with the “Timber” Opening Night. The percussion ensemble Rummsfeld & Friends from the Hanover State Opera—featuring six percussionists—will transform the hall into an impressive acoustic space.

The festival will conclude on August 23 with a participatory open-air closing event at Ballhofplatz, where the audience and professional performers will come together under the motto “One City. One Pulse.” to form a large rhythm ensemble.
You can find more information about the festival here.

As was the case at last year’s festival, around 7,000 visitors are expected this year as well. For guests traveling to Hannover for the festival, the Hannover Accommodation Service offers a range of suitable lodging options—from business hotels and group accommodations to vacation rentals.