Altstadtfest Bad Salzdetfurth

Historic Old Town as Festival Grounds

Bad Salzdetfurth has a compact historic old town with half-timbered houses, the market square, Jahnplatz, and several squares and alleys that are perfectly suited for a city festival. During the Altstadtfest, this area is closed off and transformed into a festival mile, where stages, market stalls, catering, and interactive stations are distributed.

Three Days of Program

The festival begins on Friday evening from 6 p.m. with the official opening and the first stage acts. Saturday brings the main program with the highlight of the duck race in the early afternoon: hundreds of plastic ducks are released into the water at the bridge on Jahnplatz and swim downstream; the fastest ducks bring their sponsors prizes. This tradition is an integral part of the festival and attracts a large crowd every year. Sunday rounds off the festival with a family program and a musical conclusion.

Soltmann Market

The namesake Soltmann Market brings together craftsmen, artists, and regional producers at stalls that wind through the old town. Woodturners, ceramists, blacksmiths, goldsmiths, textile artists, jam makers, and beekeepers offer their products and give the festival a character that goes beyond mere festival catering. The name Soltmann refers to the town's salt production tradition, which is the basis for its status as a brine spa town.

Family Program

For children, there is a treasure hunt that leads through the historic old town and includes small riddles and tasks at various stations. In addition, a bouncy castle, carousel, face painting, and small hands-on workshops provide a varied program. The duck race is another family highlight.

Music and Stages

Local and regional bands, choirs, music clubs, and occasionally national acts perform on several stages in the old town. The program ranges from rock and pop to Schlager and folk music to jazz and acoustic sets, catering to a multi-generational audience.

Anchoring in the City Community

The Altstadtfest is supported by the town of Bad Salzdetfurth together with local clubs, restaurateurs, and initiatives. It is a central moment of identification for the city community and at the same time one of the most important tourism dates of the year in the brine spa town.