Brunnenfest Bad Berka

Spa Town Tradition Since 1888

The Brunnenfest Bad Berka is one of the oldest and most popular spa town festivals in Thuringia. It originated in 1888 when the town celebrated the 75th anniversary of its bathhouse. Evolving from the original "Heimatfest" (homeland festival) tradition with historical costumes and floats, it developed into today's Volksfest (public festival) centered around the Goethebrunnen (formerly Carl-August-Brunnen), with its theme varying annually after its reconstruction in 1953 and particularly from 1992 onwards.

Three Days of Kurpark Programming

From Friday, June 12th to Sunday, June 14th, 2026, the entire Kurpark will serve as the festival backdrop. Three days with a clearly structured program:

• Friday 6 PM - 2 AM — Dance party to kick things off, live music late into the night
• Saturday 10 AM - 2 AM — Main program day with the Brunnenfest parade, live music on multiple stages, a grand musical fireworks display over the Bornwiese in the evening, and Kurpark illumination
• Sunday 10 AM - 6 PM — Family day with a morning pint (Frühschoppen), winding down the festival, and final program items

Parade and Brunnenfest Tradition

The Brunnenfest parade on Saturday is the highlight of the festival. Incorporating elements of the town's history and its status as a spa resort, floats parade through Bad Berka — a tradition revived after the festival's re-establishment in 1953 and again after reunification in 1992. In the anniversary year 1993, the parade commemorated 180 years since the founding of the spa (1813).

Family Program in the Kurpark

The festival is family-oriented:

• Water attractions in the park
• Bouncy castles and children's games
• Children's sports events
• Food and drink stalls along the paths
• Various stages with live music in different genres

Bad Berka — Spa Town in Weimarer Land

The spa town of Bad Berka (approx. 7,500 inhabitants) is located in the Weimarer Land district in the state of Thuringia, south of the classical city of Weimar. The town received its first spa in 1813 and is now a recognized spa resort with a modern central clinic (Helios). The expansive Kurpark with the Goethebrunnen, concert pavilion, and Bornwiese forms the green heart of the town. Visitors to the Brunnenfest can easily combine their trip with a visit to nearby Weimar (15 km) for explorations of Goethe's House or the Park an der Ilm.