A Decade of Giving: ‘Fest & Flauschig’ Christmas Circus Celebrates Record Turnout and Generosity
For a decade, popular German podcast Fest & Flauschig has hosted an annual Christmas Circus that brings together fans for a night of laughter, music, and giving back to those in need. On December 19, Spotify celebrated the 10th anniversary of the live podcast charity gala, “Fest & Flauschig Live: 10 von 10 – Anniversary Christmas with Jan & Olli,” with hosts Jan Böhmermann and Olli Schulz.
The milestone night drew a record-breaking crowd of more than 12,000 to Hamburg’s Barclays Arena. So far, this year’s event has collected more than €1.1 million from over 15,000 fans, with additional donations accepted until January 18, 2026.
Friends of the show dropped by to bring a little holiday cheer, including moderator and co-host of the podcast Zum Scheitern Verurteilt Laura Larsson, renowned gastronomer and TV personality Tim Mälzer, and comedy legend Otto Waalkes. Artist Bosse even took the stage for a live performance that lit up the arena.
While the evening was rife with laughter and entertainment, the charitable cause has always been the central focus of the Christmas Circus. This year, Jan and Olli supported four organizations close to their hearts. Jan’s donation will go to the German Brain Tumor Aid Association and Reporters Without Borders e.V., while Olli’s will be shared with SchlauFox e.V. and the White Ring e.V.
“Anyone can be affected by a brain tumor in their lifetime,” Jan said. “And the more you know about it, the greater the likelihood of surviving such a serious disease.”
He also stressed the importance of a free press, noting that donations for Reporters Without Borders support “a journalistic network in regions where it is difficult to access information.”
Olli’s choices reflect a commitment to children’s education and support for victims of crime.
“For me, the work that SchlauFox does is deeply commendable, because education is simply a crucial thing, particularly for children and young people,” he said. On supporting the White Ring, Olli shared, “This is a good organization, an important cause, especially for people who are victims of domestic violence or suffer from threats of violence.”
Together with their incredible community of listeners, Jan and Olli have collected a staggering €7.72 million for 26 different charitable organizations over the past nine years. With this year’s donations still being tallied, that number is set to grow even larger.
Fest & Flauschig launched in 2016 and was the first Spotify Exclusive podcast in Germany. Now, 10 seasons later, the show’s mix of personal stories, humor, and authenticity has cultivated a loyal following. The annual Christmas Circus is the ultimate expression of that, bringing thousands of fans together to celebrate and give back.
The fundraising campaign remains open until January 18, 2026. Anyone wishing to donate can do so here. To watch the full Christmas Circus show, check out the video podcast on Spotify.
