Bad Blankenburg Lavender Festival

Bad Blankenburg — Spa town at the entrance to the Schwarzatal

Bad Blankenburg is located at the entrance to the Schwarzatal valley in southern Thuringia, nestled in the hilly landscape of the Saalfeld-Rudolstadt region. The spa town, with just under 7,000 inhabitants, is known for the Greifenstein castle ruins, the birthplace of the educator Friedrich Fröbel (founder of the kindergarten), and its location in one of Germany's most beautiful low mountain valleys.

Provence flair on the Thuringian market square

Once a year, the market square of Bad Blankenburg transforms into a fragrant sea of lavender. The Lavender Festival plays with the image of Provence: lavender bouquets adorn the stalls, lavender-infused specialities from honey to liqueur to syrup are offered, and artisans display works made from lavender flowers. The atmosphere is Mediterranean-Thuringian – an unusual, but lovingly staged, mix that makes the festival unmistakable.

28th Edition 2026

2026 will celebrate the 28th edition – a tradition dating back to the late 1990s. The town of Bad Blankenburg organises the festival itself with the help of local associations. On Saturday, June 20th, and Sunday, June 21st, 2026, the market square will open for the Lavender Festival. On the programme: live music, crafts, culinary delights, children's activities, and a colourful market.

Summer in Thuringia's Schwarzatal

The Lavender Festival coincides with other summer festivals in the region – in 2026, the "Fête de la Musique" will also take place on June 21st, as well as "Open Gardens 2026" with private garden tours. Those who wish to extend their festival weekend will find hiking trails in the Schwarzatal, the historic Schwarzatalbahn railway, the Oberweißbacher Bergbahn funicular, and Greifenstein Castle as further excursion destinations.

Summer festival with identity

Unlike purely folk festivals (Volksfeste), the Lavender Festival has a clear creative identity. It is a market, an open-air concert, and a family festival all in one – and uses the image of lavender to give Bad Blankenburg its own profile within the already rich festival culture of the Saalfeld-Rudolstadt region.