45th Gifhorner Altstadtfest
Largest summer open-air cultural festival in the region with 8 stages and over 100 artists
About Gifhorner Altstadtfest 2026
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45 Years of Festival Tradition
The Gifhorner Altstadtfest was launched in the early 1980s and has since developed into one of Lower Saxony's largest open-air events. With its 45th edition in 2026, the festival continues its history as a free, broadly based city festival that appeals to all generations and covers almost every musical genre – from rock and pop to jazz and singer-songwriters, as well as Schlager, DJ sets, and classical music.
Eight Stages, One Festival
The festival's concept thrives on its spatial extent. Eight stages are spread across the historic Gifhorn city center, from the Marktplatz with the main stage to Schillerplatz, via Steinweg street, Schlossplatz, and Brüggemann-Platz. Each stage has its own musical profile. Visitors can stroll, wander, and experience different atmospheres in various locations.
Culinary Mile and Market
The musical offerings are complemented by an extensive culinary mile with international and regional specialties – from bratwurst and potato pancakes to pizza and pasta, as well as Asian, Latin American, and African specialties. A handicraft market with stalls from local manufacturers rounds off the offerings.
Gifhorn – District Capital on the Aller
Gifhorn is the district capital of the district of the same name and is located at the confluence of the Aller and Ise rivers, in the transition between the Lüneburg Heath and the Braunschweig region. The historic 16th-century castle, the market square with the old town hall, and the International Mill Museum are the city's landmarks. In August, Gifhorn shows its most vibrant side when the city center becomes a grand festival mile during the Altstadtfest.
Artist Applications 2026
For the 45th edition, artists could apply for a performance until January 31, 2026. The program management curates a diverse lineup from these applications, bringing both established acts and newcomers to the stages.
Gifhorner Altstadtfest 2026 — edition 2026
With its anniversary edition number 45, the Altstadtfest continues its tradition as a crowd-puller for the region. The City of Gifhorn, as the organizer, and the volunteer organization team have been working on program design for months. The main stage is traditionally the Marktplatz with headliner performances on Friday and Saturday evenings. Further stages are spread across Steinweg, Schlossplatz, Brüggemann-Platz, and Schillerplatz, each with its own musical profile.
The festival is deliberately broad in scope: rock, pop, jazz, Schlager, country, singer-songwriter, DJ sets, and cultural program items stand side by side. This allows the festival to reach all generations and tastes. The culinary mile, with over fifty vendors, offers specialties from all continents. The handicraft market showcases works by local and regional manufacturers.
Programme Gifhorner Altstadtfest 2026 2026
The complete 2026 program will be published mid-year on gifhorner-altstadtfest.eu. The structure follows the proven cornerstones of previous years:
Friday, August 21, 2026
- Official opening at Marktplatz
- First concerts from late afternoon
- Main stage headliner in the evening
- Late-night program until midnight
Saturday, August 22, 2026
- Family program with face painting and interactive activities in the afternoon
- Culinary mile open all day
- Handicraft market
- Concerts on all eight stages
- Headliner performance at Marktplatz in the evening
Sunday, August 23, 2026
- Morning pint at Marktplatz
- Family afternoon
- Concerts on the stages
- Closing concert at Marktplatz
Highlights Gifhorner Altstadtfest 2026 2026
- 45th edition of the region's largest summer open-air event
- 8 stages spread from Marktplatz to Schillerplatz
- Over 100 artists from all genres
- Culinary mile with specialties from around the world
- Handicraft market and family program
- Free admission
Prices Gifhorner Altstadtfest 2026 2026
Practical information — Gifhorner Altstadtfest 2026
Venue
Gifhorn city center – eight stages from Marktplatz to Schillerplatz, 38518 Gifhorn.
Getting There
By train to Gifhorn station, then a few minutes' walk. By car via the B4 or B188. During the festival, parts of the city center are closed to car traffic; parking is available in surrounding multi-story car parks and on the outskirts of the city.
Date 2026
August 21 – 23, 2026 (Friday to Sunday, second-to-last weekend in August).
Admission
Free admission to all stages and program points. Food and drinks are payable.
Organizer
City of Gifhorn. Current information and program details at gifhorner-altstadtfest.eu.
Families
Family program with face painting, craft activities, and interactive workshops. The main time for families is Saturday and Sunday afternoons.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Gifhorner Altstadtfest 2026 al mejor precio.
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