31st Altstadtfest Erlangen

Four Days of Music in the Heart of Erlangen

The Altstädter Kirchenplatz is one of Erlangen's most atmospheric locations. Surrounded by half-timbered houses and the Altstädter Dreifaltigkeitskirche (Trinity Church), it's the natural stage for a city festival that has, for three decades, balanced classic folk festival warmth with musical diversity. The Altstadtfest combines both — with a strong emphasis on music.

31st Edition and 20 Years of Taktstelle

2026 marks a special edition: the Altstadtfest celebrates its 31st iteration and, simultaneously, the 20th birthday of the Erlangen music school Musikinstitut Taktstelle, which has significantly shaped the festival for years. Their performance on Saturday afternoon is one of the program slots where young musicians gain their first stage experience.

Erlangen — University and Siemens City

Erlangen is located in the Middle Franconian district of Erlangen-Höchstadt, in the state of Bavaria, between Nuremberg and Bamberg. The city has around 115,000 inhabitants and is home to the Friedrich Alexander University, one of Germany's largest Siemens sites, and the corporate headquarters of Adidas's sister company Puma (in the neighboring town of Herzogenaurach). The mix of students, research institutes, and businesses creates a young, international audience — which is also reflected in the musical breadth of the Altstadtfest.