Laurent Freyhuber: Bringing Furdenheim to Life with the Summer Dreams Festival

1. Profile of the Month: May

In Furdenheim, certain events go far beyond mere festivities. They tell a story of village life, community involvement and passing on traditions. As head ofthe ACSL (Furdenheim Culture, Sport and Leisure Association), Laurent Freyhuber embodies this determination to keep alive a festival that is emblematic of the region, now reinvented as the Summer Dreams Festival.

On 26 and 27 June 2026, Furdenheim will come alive with two major open-air evenings: Forever Electro on Friday, followed by Forever Young on Saturday, with a line-up focusing on electro music and the 80s, 90s and 2000s. An event that aims to establish itself as one of the major musical highlights of the summer in Alsace.

1. A community initiative that began on the basketball courts

Having lived in Furdenheim since 2004, Laurent Freyhuber is well acquainted with local life. His involvement in community organisations began almost naturally with basketball, before gradually leading him behind the scenes of the village festival’s organisation.

“It’s a bit of a continuation,” he explains. After several years of involvement with the association, he became president of the ACSL a year and a half ago, succeeding Fabrice Heitz. His role today is to maintain an event that has become a must-attend, whilst supporting local associations.

For the ACSL is not limited to organising a festival. It also plays a supporting role in Furdenheim’s community life, through the loan of equipment, logistical support and, when results allow, the donation of a portion of the profits to the village’s associations.

1. Summer Dreams: a new identity for a growing festival

The Summer Dreams Festival is the successor to the Vent d’Est festival. More than just a name change, this new identity signals a renewed ambition. For Laurent Freyhuber, it’s about steering the event in a new direction, with a more substantial format and a broader programme.

“We simply changed the name to signal that we’re heading in a different direction,” he explains. This evolution takes the form of two distinct evenings, designed to bring together several generations around a shared desire: to enjoy an open-air summer festival.

On Friday 26 June 2026, the Forever Electro evening will feature Joachim Garraud, Chris Willis, Nils Van Zandt, Elsass Brothers and DJ Kab. On Saturday 27 June, it’s time for Forever Young, a revival night dedicated to the biggest hits of the 80s, 90s and 2000s, featuring, among others, Sabrina, Worlds Apart, Billy Crawford, Masterboy & Beatrix Delgado, Zouk Machine, Mario d’Emile et Images, Benassi Bros feat Dhany, Tania Evans and Tribal King.

1. An open-air festival near Strasbourg

One of Summer Dreams’ major assets is its setting: an open-air festival in Furdenheim, near Strasbourg. In an events landscape where village festivals are becoming increasingly difficult to sustain, this event retains a strong identity.

“It’s one of the few festivals around Strasbourg that takes place outdoors,” emphasises Laurent Freyhuber. This open-air aspect plays a key role in the event’s summery atmosphere. The aim is clear: to offer a complete musical experience, over a long period, with several hours of performances each evening.

According to information published by the municipality of Furdenheim, both evenings will start at 8pm, with doors opening at 6pm. The festival promises five hours of performances on Friday, six hours on Saturday, as well as a pre-party and an after-party to extend the experience.

1. A village festival that has become a regional event

Behind the poster and the headliners, Summer Dreams remains, above all, a collective endeavour. Between 300 and 400 volunteers are involved over the weekend, not to mention the work done in the run-up to the event to set up, prepare, welcome guests, ensure safety, serve and dismantle.

For Laurent Freyhuber, this is also where the event’s strength lies. But it is also one of its greatest challenges. Costs have risen sharply in recent years and it is becoming harder to recruit volunteers. “We still have to set everything up the weekend before and the week before, then take it all down straight afterwards. It’s a lot of work. It’s physically demanding , ” he sums up.

Despite these constraints, the ACSL remains committed. Because Summer Dreams is not just a festival: it is a highlight of life in Furdenheim, a showcase for the village and a driving force for local organisations.

1. Preserving the festive spirit of the villages

Through his commitment, Laurent Freyhuber champions a simple belief: a village thrives on its festivals, its gatherings and the moments shared by its people. He notes with regret that many small festivals are disappearing due to a lack of funds, volunteers or sufficient profitability.

“We’re seeing more and more ‘dead’ villages where there are hardly any festivals all year round, ” he notes. Keeping Summer Dreams alive therefore means preserving a tradition dating back over forty years, whilst adapting it to the expectations of today’s audience.

The festival is also part of a wider programme of events around the village, featuring open farms and activities over several days. For Laurent Freyhuber, this is yet another reason to come: to enjoy the concerts, but also to soak up the atmosphere of Furdenheim and its festive spirit.

1. Summer Dreams 2026: summer will kick off in Furdenheim

With its ambitious line-up, open-air format and strong local roots, the Summer Dreams Festival 2026 promises to be a highlight of the summer in Alsace. For Laurent Freyhuber, this year’s event could even be one of the biggest ever held in Furdenheim.

Its promise can be summed up in three words: “have fun, enjoy yourself and make the most of it ”. A simple invitation, true to the spirit of this village fair-turned-festival, where music brings generations together and where the dedication of volunteers gives the event its true value.

On 26 and 27 June 2026, Furdenheim will therefore welcome the public for two evenings filled with celebration, nostalgia and collective energy. With Summer Dreams, summer will take on the feel of a major musical gathering in the heart of the Kochersberg.