Bluesfestival Bad Berka

GDR Blues Festival with a Revival

The Bluesfestival Bad Berka has a special history: Before German reunification, it was probably the most important blues festival in the GDR. This tradition was revived and carefully nurtured almost twenty years ago. Today, the festival is an insider tip in the Thuringian blues scene — deliberately kept small, curated with care, with an emphasis on quality rather than quantity.

Seven Hours of Open Air in the Spa Park

On Saturday, June 20, 2026, from 5 PM to midnight, the Bluesfestival will take over the Kurpark Bad Berka — the spacious park with the Goethe fountain, concert pavilion, and Bornwiese meadow, which also serves as the backdrop for the older Brunnenfest. Seven hours of open-air blues under the sky in a stylish spa town atmosphere — the organizers clearly state their ambition: “A small but fine blues festival where both fans and other listeners feel comfortable.”

Program and Stage

The festival presents blues bands from Germany and neighboring countries — from traditional Delta and Chicago blues to blues rock and modern blues-soul fusions. The exact band lineup for 2026 will be announced shortly before the festival on bluesfestival-badberka.de. In 2024, ticket prices were €25 for regular admission and €22 for concessions — the 2026 prices are expected to be in a similar range.

Bad Berka — Health Resort near Weimar

The spa town of Bad Berka (around 7,500 inhabitants) is located in the district of Weimarer Land, south of Weimar in the state of Thuringia. The town has a long tradition as a health resort (since 1813) and is now a recognized spa town with a modern Helios central clinic. The spacious spa park with the Goethe fountain, concert pavilion, and Bornwiese meadow forms the green heart of the town and hosts several festival events throughout the year — including the traditional Brunnenfest and spa concerts, in addition to the Bluesfestival.