1150 Years Sömmerda City Anniversary
Week-long festival week for the 1150th anniversary — Concerts with Samu and Glasperlenspiel, parade, historical market
About 1150 Years Sömmerda
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Sömmerda — 1150 Years of City History
Sömmerda is a small district town in the Sömmerda district in the state of Thuringia, located on the middle reaches of the Unstrut river. The town was first documented in 876 — and in 2026, Sömmerda will celebrate its 1150th anniversary with a grand festival week. Historically, the town is significant as the place of work for Nikolaus Dreyse (1787–1867), the inventor of the needle gun — the town's industry shaped its appearance from the 19th century onwards. Today, around 19,000 people live in Sömmerda.
Week-long Festival Week May 18–24, 2026
The festival week spans seven days and combines cultural events, exhibitions, and social gatherings. Seven venues will be used: Obermarkt as the central stage, Stadtpark for concerts, Uferterrassen on the Unstrut river, Anger for the historical market, Rohrhammerplatz, Dreyse-Haus as a historical museum, and the Rathaus with special exhibitions.
Festival Weekend May 22–24 — Glasperlenspiel and Samu
The highlight of the festival week is the festival weekend from May 22nd to 24th. On the main stage, Glasperlenspiel (electropop duo Carolin Niemczyk/Daniel Grunenberg) and Samu will perform — both well-known acts on the German pop scene. In parallel, there will be a historical market area with craftspeople in traditional costume, a large parade will march through the city center, and museum exhibitions will offer insights into the 1150-year history.
Free Shuttle Bus and District Festivals
A free shuttle bus will connect all districts with the city center during the festival weekend — also to Buttstädt, Rastenberg, and Weißensee. In parallel, anniversary celebrations will take place in the districts of Frohndorf and Wenigensömmern. Citizens and associations can submit their own ideas by the festival day at [email protected].
1150 Years Sömmerda — edition 2026
1150 Years Sömmerda — Festival Week May 18–24, 2026
Sömmerda's 1150th anniversary spans seven days and culminates in the festival weekend of May 22–24 with concerts by Glasperlenspiel and Samu, a historical market area, and the grand parade.
Programme 1150 Years Sömmerda 2026
Program 1150 Years Sömmerda 2026
Monday, May 18 – Thursday, May 21, 2026 — Festival Week
- Exhibitions at Dreyse-Haus and Rathaus on the 1150-year city history
- Concerts and readings in museums and cultural institutions
- Association presentations and citizen events
Friday, May 22, 2026 — Festival Weekend Kick-off
- Evening — Ceremonial act and opening concert on the main stage at Obermarkt
- Historical Market Area at Anger opens
Saturday, May 23, 2026
- Daytime — Historical Market at Anger with craftspeople in traditional costume, bread baking in a wood-fired oven, medieval music
- Stadtpark and Uferterrassen — Concerts, readings, family program
- Evening Obermarkt — Glasperlenspiel Concert (electropop duo)
Sunday, May 24, 2026 — Highlight
- Morning — Festival service and opening of the Sunday program
- Afternoon — Grand Parade through the city center with associations, floats, traditional costume groups, and music bands
- Evening Obermarkt — Samu Concert
- Festival finale at all venues
Accompanying Program
- Anniversary celebrations in the districts of Frohndorf and Wenigensömmern
- Free shuttle bus connects all districts to the city center
Complete program and map at soemmerda.de.
Highlights 1150 Years Sömmerda 2026
- Glasperlenspiel on Saturday evening, May 23rd
- Samu on Sunday evening, May 24th
- Historical Market at Anger with craftspeople in traditional costume
- Grand parade on Sunday afternoon through the city center
- Seven venues in the city center
- Free shuttle bus during the festival weekend
- 1150th city anniversary — documented mention in 876
Prices 1150 Years Sömmerda 2026
Most of the program is free. Concerts and special events may require tickets.
Practical information — 1150 Years Sömmerda
Date
Festival Week: Monday, May 18 — Sunday, May 24, 2026. Festival Weekend: Friday, May 22 — Sunday, May 24, 2026.
Location
Seven venues in the city center: Obermarkt, Stadtpark, Uferterrassen, Anger, Rohrhammerplatz, Dreyse-Haus, and Rathaus. Sömmerda, 99610 (Sömmerda district, Thuringia state).
Admission
Most of the program is free. Concerts may require tickets — prices on the city's website.
Getting There
Car: A71 exit Sömmerda. Train: Sömmerda station (RE/RB from Erfurt). Free shuttle bus during the festival weekend. Program and map at soemmerda.de.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place 1150 Years Sömmerda
Innenstadt Sömmerda — Obermarkt, Stadtpark, Anger, Uferterrassen, Rohrhammerplatz, Dreyse-Haus, Rathaus
Obermarkt / Anger / Stadtpark, 99610 Sömmerda, 99610 Sömmerda