Altstadtfest Schönebeck (Elbe)

Schönebeck — the small salt town on the Elbe

Following the course of the Elbe upstream from Magdeburg, after about 15 kilometers you reach Schönebeck — a former salt town in the Salzlandkreis district of Saxony-Anhalt, known for its saltworks, brine baths, and over 800 years of town history. Once a year, on the Pentecost weekend, the Schönebeck old town between the Marktplatz and Salzblumenplatz transforms into a three-day festival mile — the Altstadtfest.

Program for Every Age Group

The concept is designed to appeal to all generations: something that appeals equally to families, seniors, young people, and music fans. Continuous stage programming at the Marktplatz and additional venues at Salzblumenplatz and along Elbstraße ensure that there's something happening all three days.

Friday — Opening with Walk On and Tänzchentee

Traditionally, the Schönebeck band Walk On kicks things off on Friday afternoon on the Marktplatz stage. In the evening, Tänzchentee takes over the stage with their dance evening repertoire.

Saturday — Breakdance, Acrobatics, Udo Tribute

Saturday offers the most diverse program musically and culturally: breakdancers and acrobatic troupes provide the highlights for the young audience, while a tribute band honors Udo Lindenberg on his 80th birthday — a fitting occasion that is particularly well-received by the Schönebeck audience due to Lindenberg's adopted home of Hamburg (the neighboring federal state).

Sunday — Service, Brass Band, Shanty

Sunday starts more reflectively with an ecumenical service, followed by a youth brass orchestra and a shanty choir, which connects with Schönebeck's Elbe shipping tradition through sea shanties. In the evening, further live acts conclude the festival.

Elbrummel — the Funfair Quarter

The Elbrummel carousel quarter complements the stage program with classic rides: carousels, a crêpe stand, a shooting gallery, a Ferris wheel — everything that belongs to a city festival of this magnitude. This is where Schönebeck is a traditional Volksfest town in the most classic sense.

Free and for Everyone

A central feature of the Altstadtfest: free admission. This is made possible by a sponsorship model with a local housing association and the Schönebeck municipal utilities, which supports the stage program and infrastructure — so everyone can attend without an entrance fee. Only food, drinks, and rides are paid for on-site.