The Poolbar Festival is an annual music and culture festival held each July and August in Feldkirch, Vorarlberg, Austria. Spanning six weeks, it brings together concerts, film screenings, cabaret, literature, and fashion in the unique setting of a former indoor swimming pool, drawing 20,000–25,000 visitors every year.
- Held in Feldkirch’s former indoor pool, 'Altes Hallenbad'
- Runs for six weeks each July and August
- Features music, film, cabaret, literature, and fashion
- Attracts up to 25,000 visitors annually
- Annual architecture competition shapes the festival’s design
What it is
Poolbar Festival transforms Feldkirch’s old indoor pool into a vibrant hub for music, arts, and creative expression each summer. Over six weeks, visitors experience a diverse program that includes concerts, film nights, cabaret, poetry slams, and fashion shows. The festival is known for its innovative approach to space and design, with its furniture and layout reimagined annually through an international architecture competition. For locals and guests alike, Poolbar is a celebration of contemporary culture and a meeting point for artists and audiences from Austria and neighboring countries.
Where it comes from
Founded in 1994 as a cultural summer academy, the Poolbar Festival began with a vision to create a different kind of open-air event, rooted in creative experimentation and cross-border exchange. Its location at the intersection of Austria, Germany, Liechtenstein, and Switzerland has shaped its international character. Over the years, the festival has grown in scope and reputation, earning cultural awards from the City of Feldkirch and the Austrian government. Despite challenges such as the COVID-19 pandemic, Poolbar has remained a fixture of the region’s summer calendar.
How it is celebrated
Celebrations at Poolbar Festival unfold in the heart of Feldkirch, within the historic 'Altes Hallenbad' and the surrounding Reichenfeld park. The festival’s program is broad: visitors can attend concerts by international and local artists, join lively parties, watch short and feature films, and enjoy cabaret or poetry slams. Fashion and art competitions add to the creative energy, while the festival’s ever-changing furniture, designed through an architecture contest, gives each edition a fresh look. Since 2020, the festival also awards the Vorarlberg Music Prize 'Sound@V', supporting emerging musicians. The atmosphere is relaxed yet stimulating, drawing a diverse crowd from the region and beyond.
Joining in
Visitors can immerse themselves in Poolbar Festival’s eclectic offerings by heading to Feldkirch’s city center during July and August. Most events take place in the repurposed indoor pool and the adjacent park, easily accessible on foot. Expect a welcoming, creative environment where music, art, and conversation flow freely. Whether attending a headline concert, joining a film night, or simply relaxing in the unique festival setting, newcomers will find plenty to explore and enjoy.
Sources and attribution
This page is Mela's own summary, written in new words. Its facts are drawn from the Wikipedia article Poolbar Festival, whose text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Each photo is credited to its author beside it. For the full account, read the originals below.
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