Experience the power of music in Kerkrade – no contests, just pure inspiration
Would you like to perform at the world’s biggest wind music festival - without taking part in the contests? Then WMC Fringe is your chance to experience the unique WMC atmosphere up close.
Even bands participating in the contests can register for additional performances within the Fringe program.
Fringe is all about inspiration, growth, and cultural exchange - a place where musicians, ensembles, and show bands from all over the world come together to share music, connect, and surprise audiences.
What's Fringe?
WMC Fringe was born during the World Music Contest 2022 and quickly became one of the most beloved parts of the festival. Hundreds of musicians from around the world bring their music to the streets and squares of Kerkrade — without the pressure of competition, purely for the joy of playing and connecting with audiences.
In 2026, Fringe is bigger than ever: four weekends of live music across multiple locations in the city. Free and open to everyone.
Program Fringe
Below you'll find the complete performance schedule for Fringe Festival 2026. See when and where your favourite acts are performing and plan your visit.
10 july
| Datum | Starttijd | Eindtijd | Locatie | Band/Groepering |
| 10 juli | 12:30 | 13:30 | Markt | Drents Jeugdorkest |
| 10 juli | 14:00 | 15:00 | Markt | Veluws Fanfare Collectief |
| 10 juli | 15:30 | 16:30 | Markt | Immortal Brass Eternally |
| 10 juli | 17:00 | 18:00 | Markt | Sociétat Filharmònica Alteanense |
11 july
| Datum | Starttijd | Eindtijd | Locatie | Band/Groepering |
| 11 juli | 11:45 | 12:45 | Markt | Agrupación Musical Abanilla-Granja de Rocamora |
| 11 juli | 13:30 | 14:30 | Markt | Veluws Fanfare Collectief |
| 11 juli | 15:00 | 18:00 | Markt | SMK ensembles/orkesten |
| 11 juli | 15:30 | 16:30 | Veluws Fanfare Collectief |
12 july
| Datum | Starttijd | Eindtijd | Locatie | Band/Groepering |
| 12 juli | 13:30 | 14:30 | Park | Clondalkin Youth Band |
| 12 juli | 15:00 | 16:00 | Markt | Saint Cecil Brass |
| 12 juli | 15:30 | 16:30 | Park | Bohemianka |
| 12 juli | 17:00 | 18:00 | Markt | Fanfare Korps Bereden Wapens |
17 july
| Datum | Starttijd | Eindtijd | Locatie | Band/Groepering |
| 17 juli | 12:00 | 18:00 | Markt | WMC Unlimited |
| 17 juli | 18:00 | 19:00 | Parade | Benjama Band |
18 july
| Date | Start | End | Location | Band |
| 18 juli | 15:00 | 16:00 | Lambertuskerk | Charleston Southern University Wind Ensemble |
| 18 juli | 15:00 | 16:00 | Markt | Opleidingsorkest JonKH |
| 18 juli | 16:30 | 18:00 | Markt | Bigband & Vocals Maashorst |
19 july
| Datum | Starttijd | Eindtijd | Locatie | Band/Groepering |
| 19 juli | 11:00 | 12:00 | Markt | Vox Aurae Wind Ensemble |
| 19 juli | 12:30 | 13:30 | Markt | Dorfdudler |
24 july
| Datum | Starttijd | Eindtijd | Locatie | Band/Groepering |
| 24 juli | 15:30 | 16:30 | Markt | MOD Elektryk |
| 24 juli | 17:00 | 18:00 | Markt | Nationaal Jeugd Fanfare Orkest |
27 july
| Datum | Starttijd | Eindtijd | Locatie | Band/Groepering |
| 26 juli | 13:00 | 14:00 | Markt | Orkiestra Miasta Oświęcim |
| 26 juli | 14:00 | 15:00 | Markt | Swedish National Youth Windband |
| 26 juli | 15:30 | 16:30 | Markt | Banda Sinfónica de Tibasosa |
| 26 juli | 16:30 | 18:00 | Hinger Herjods Ruk | Die Altböhmischen |
31 july
| Datum | Starttijd | Eindtijd | Locatie | Band/Groepering |
| 31 juli | 12:30 | 13:30 | Park | Shanghai No.3 Girls' High School Wind Band |
| 31 juli | 12:30 | 13:30 | Markt | Haberdashers Elstree Symphonic Winds |
| 31 juli | 14:00 | 15:00 | Park | HKUGA College Symphonic Band |
| 31 juli | 14:00 | 15:00 | Markt | Shenzhen Yucai No.2 Primary School Wind Orchestra |
| 31 juli | 15:15 | 16:00 | Markt | Seri Puteri Symphonic Winds |
| 31 juli | 17:00 | 18:00 | Markt | Opus 82 |
1 augustus
| Datum | Starttijd | Eindtijd | Locatie | Band/Groepering |
| 1 aug | 12:30 | 13:30 | Parade | Unió Musical Lira Borriolenca |
| 1 aug | 12:30 | 13:30 | Park | Ying Wa Primary School Symphonic Band |
| 1 aug | 14:00 | 15:00 | Park | Banda Sinfónica Juvenil de Caldas |
| 1 aug | 14:00 | 15:00 | Markt | Raimondi College Wind Orchestra |
| 1 aug | 15:30 | 16:30 | Park | Banda Sinfónica Juvenil Colegio San Jorge de Inglaterra |
| 1 aug | 15:30 | 16:30 | Markt | Banda Sinfónica de la Escuela de Formación Artística de Cota |
| 1 aug | 17:00 | 18:00 | Park | De Ontzetting |
| 1 aug | 17:00 | 18:00 | Markt | Alam Shah Wind Orchestra |
| 1 aug | 18:30 | 19:30 | Park | Banda Sinfónica juvenil de Villeta |
2nd august
| Datum | Starttijd | Eindtijd | Locatie | Band/Groepering |
| 2 aug | 12:00 | 13:00 | Markt | Alliance Primary School Kowloon Tong Senior Band |
| 2 aug | 13:30 | 14:30 | Markt | Estonian Youth Wind Orchestra |
| 2 aug | 15:00 | 16:00 | Markt | Banda Sinfónica de Sabaneta "Juan David Castaño Arango" |
| 2 aug | 16:30 | 18:00 | Markt | Bigband Heerlen |
| 2 aug | 17:00 | 18:00 | Park | Mixed Harmony Maastricht |
| 2 aug | 17:00 | 18:00 | Hinger Herjods Ruk | de Kling |
