50th Altstadtfest Goslar
Grand City Festival in the UNESCO World Heritage Site — Anniversary Edition
2026
About Altstadtfest Goslar
Altstadtfest Goslar — edition 2026
Three Days of Festival Atmosphere in the World Heritage Old Town
The anniversary edition maintains the proven three-day structure and expands it in certain areas with special guest performances. The first stalls will be set up on Friday afternoon, and as dusk falls, the stages will take over the program.
Family and City Center Highlight on Sunday
Sunday will feature a special highlight for families with Cookie Monster's appearance. In parallel, shops will open for the "open shopping Sunday," connecting the city center's economy with the festival program.
Stages and Live Program
Several stages will be spread across the market square, Schuhhof, and other locations. The exact artist lineup will be announced by the organizer in late summer 2026.
Highlights Altstadtfest Goslar 2026
- 50th anniversary edition in the UNESCO World Heritage old town
- Several stages with bands and DJs
- Large family flea market on the Kaiserpfalz meadow
- Special guest appearance by Cookie Monster on Sunday
- Open shopping Sunday from 1 PM to 6 PM
- Free admission to the entire festival grounds
Programme Altstadtfest Goslar 2026
2026 Program Structure
The detailed 2026 program will be published by the organizer in late summer. The structure follows the proven key points of previous years:
Friday, September 11th
- Setup and opening in the late afternoon
- Evening concerts on the main stages
- Gastronomy mile and street food stalls
Saturday, September 12th
- All-day market and festival activities
- Large family flea market on the Kaiserpfalz meadow
- Concerts on several stages
- Evening program late into the night
Sunday, September 13th
- Morning: Flea market continues on the Kaiserpfalz meadow
- Afternoon: Family program and walk-around acts
- Late Afternoon: Special guest appearance by Cookie Monster from Sesame Street
- 1 PM to 6 PM: Open shopping Sunday in the city center
- Evening: Wind-down with a quieter stage program
Recurring Elements
- Several stages with rock, pop, Schlager, and acoustic music
- Street food and regional gastronomy
- Crafts and artisanal products
- Children's activities and carousels
Prices Altstadtfest Goslar 2026
Practical information — Altstadtfest Goslar
Getting There
- Car: B 6 or B 82, parking garages on the outskirts of the city center.
- Train: Goslar station, about a 15-minute walk to the old town from there.
Admission
- Free admission to the entire festival grounds.
- Separate charges apply only for individual participatory activities and carousels.
Program
- Several stages in the old town with different music genres.
- Large family flea market on the Kaiserpfalz meadow.
- Open shopping Sunday from 1 PM to 6 PM.
- Children's program with special guest appearances.
Notes
- The old town is largely car-free during the festival.
- Many covered areas and restaurants in the alleys are available, regardless of the weather.
City Festival in a World Heritage Old Town
Goslar, with its old town, Imperial Palace, Rammelsberg Mine, and the Upper Harz Water Management System, is one of Germany's most densely packed UNESCO World Heritage regions. The oldest half-timbered houses date back to the 15th century, and the hillside town with its steep alleys and small squares offers an extraordinary backdrop for a city festival. The Altstadtfest consistently utilizes this setting: stages are set up in prominent locations, and the paths between them become promenades with food stalls and vendors.
Several Stages and Diverse Music
On the weekend days, multiple stages feature a varied program. Cover bands, regional acts, acoustic sets, and DJs provide a broad spectrum of genres, from rock and pop to Schlager and singer-songwriter performances. The stages are spread throughout the old town, allowing for strolls between different soundscapes.
Market, Crafts, and Gastronomy
A large area is dedicated to crafts and gastronomy. Regional providers from the Harz region present sausages, cheese, beer, schnapps, baked goods, and handicrafts. Street food stalls offering cuisine from various cultures, cocktail bars, and classic festival fare complement the offerings. Many restaurants open their doors wide in the alleys around the market square, extending the festival into the outdoor dining experience of Goslar's city center.
Large Family Flea Market and Cookie Monster
A large family flea market takes place on the Kaiserpfalz meadow on Saturday and Sunday. On Sunday, September 13th, a special guest appearance by Cookie Monster from Sesame Street will enhance the children's program. Additionally, shops will be open for an "open shopping Sunday" from 1 PM to 6 PM, extending the festive weekend into the city center.
50th Anniversary with a Special Touch
The 2026 anniversary edition celebrates the festival's fifty-year tradition with additional program items, special guests, and slightly expanded programming. This reaffirms Goslar's position as a cultural center of the Harz region.
Where it takes place Altstadtfest Goslar
Altstadtfest Goslar at a glance
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