Looking for events in Saxony-Anhalt this weekend, August 8-9, 2026? Between the Elbe, the Harz and the Saale, this second weekend of August has something for everyone – from eastern Germany's biggest Mallorca-style party to a jazz concert inside a Romanesque monastery. Several centuries-old folk festivals run alongside open-airs and a literary evening in the Burgenlandkreis. Our pick of the weekend: the Goitzsche Festival, marking its 10th anniversary on the Pouch peninsula with three days of rock, metal and folk by the lake. Heading to the Ballermann party in Magdeburg, the quiet cloister in Jerichow, or a Schützenfest instead? Saxony-Anhalt has it all this weekend, plus centuries-old heritage festivals and a techno weekend on a manor estate.
Party and Music
Mega Malle Magdeburg – Ballermann party in the Elbauenpark
On Saturday, August 8, 2026, Magdeburg's Elbauenpark turns into eastern Germany's biggest Mallorca-style party. Mega Malle brings Pietro Lombardi, Mia Julia, Isi Glück and Loona onto one stage for a full day of Schlager and party hits, from noon into the night. The park sits right on the Elbe, with wide-open lawns for thousands of fans. Tickets are sold online only, in advance.
Goitzsche Festival Muldestausee – ten years of rock, metal and folk
From August 7 to 9, the Goitzsche Festival celebrates its 10th edition on the Pouch peninsula by the Goitzschesee. Three days of rock, metal and folk with headliners Goitzsche Front, Stahlzeit, Kneipenterroristen and Asenblut. The festival bills itself as family-friendly – an unusual contrast to the heavy sound on stage, at one of Saxony-Anhalt's most distinctive festival locations, right on the water.
Mahagoni Festival Teutschenthal – techno on a manor estate
Four days, seven stages, no VIP zone: the Mahagoni Festival runs through August 9 at the Etzdorf manor estate near Teutschenthal. Techno and electronic music meet workshops, a sauna, a lakeside beach and jam sessions – DIY culture and sustainability over a glossy production. Tickets start at 180 euros.
Folk Festivals and Tradition
Zerbst Heimat- und Schützenfest – the longest folk festival in the state
Until August 10, Zerbst/Anhalt in the Anhalt-Bitterfeld district celebrates its Heimat- und Schützenfest, reportedly the longest folk festival in Saxony-Anhalt. Eleven days of shooting contests, a horse-market lottery, funfair rides and live music.
On August 8-9, the Festplatz Zerbst is packed: dancing, food stalls and fireworks over the town in the evening – one of the state's biggest community festivals.
Elbauenfest Parey – 20th edition on the Elbe
For two decades, the Elbauenfest has been the big summer festival of the Jerichower Land. On the second weekend of August, the Elbe meadows around the Bolle shipyard turn into a fairground with a stage, club stands and DJ parties. In 2026, the municipality of Elbe-Parey marks the 20th edition of its heritage festival.
Schützenfest Reinstedt – shooting contest in the Selke valley
The Reinstedt 1702 shooting club, one of the oldest in Saxony-Anhalt, hosts its traditional Schützenfest on August 7-8 on the festival meadow in Falkenstein/Harz. A shooting contest for the "king", a parade and an evening of dancing in the Selke valley – a tradition kept alive for over 300 years.
Schul- und Heimatfest Jessen – a wine festival since the 19th century
Until August 10, the small town of Jessen (Elster) holds its Schul- und Heimatfest, one of Saxony-Anhalt's most traditional folk festivals since the 19th century. The centerpiece is the Jessen wine festival, with the crowning of the wine princess.
Eleven festival days bring a castle concert, a parade and a children's festival to the Festplatz of the small Elster town.
Blankenburg Blossom Festival – three days in the town park
Blankenburg's town park becomes a small festival world at the foot of the Great Castle from August 7 to 9. Live music, a medieval market, a children's festival and market stalls fill the Blütenfest – free admission, no ticket required for a spontaneous afternoon in the Harz.
Classical Music and Culture
Jazz at Jerichow Monastery – international names in a Romanesque setting
From August 7 to 9, the Romanesque Jerichow Monastery in the Jerichower Land becomes an unusual jazz stage. As part of the Altmark Festspiele, Uschi Brüning, Younee, Johanna Summer and the Jazzchor Freiburg perform. The monastery's acoustics and its setting away from urban festival fatigue make this one of Saxony-Anhalt's most striking concert weekends.
Picnic with Franz and gondola ride – blue hour in the garden kingdom
On August 9, the UNESCO World Heritage Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz hosts Picnic with Franz in front of Wörlitz Palace, with music, historical characters and outdoor games. Ticket holders then take a gondola ride through Wörlitz Park as the sun sets over the Wörlitzer See – the blue hour in one of Europe's most beautiful cultural landscapes.
KUMBRA Literaturherbst – reading at Café zum Esel in Wetterzeube
On August 9, Thomas Leibe reads from Kaffeemann und Naschmadame at Café zum Esel in Wetterzeube – the season opener of the KUMBRA Literaturherbst. Through December, this district-wide festival brings readings, talks and literary-musical evenings to museums, libraries and historic sites across southern Saxony-Anhalt.
Also this weekend
- Sommerkino im Tierpark Dessau: the five-week open-air cinema at the Dessau Zoo wraps up on August 8, with films on the festival lawn in front of the historic mausoleum from dusk onward.
- Im Sommer nach 8, Halle (Saale): eleven August evenings on the market square under the Red Tower, daily from 8pm with live music, readings, theatre and dance – including August 8 and 9.
That's our pick of events in Saxony-Anhalt for August 8-9, 2026, from the Ballermann party in Magdeburg to the gondola ride in the garden kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz. Find more festivals and events across Germany this weekend in our weekend guide.
