Glauchau City Festival

From the Castle to the Market Square

Glauchau is a district town in West Saxony in the Zwickau district, in the state of Saxony, with around 22,000 inhabitants. The town is located in the Mulde valley and is primarily known for its two Renaissance castles: Forderglauchau Castle and Hinterglauchau Castle, which form a unique castle courtyard as a double castle complex. The Glauchau City Festival will occupy this historic double structure from June 26th to 28th, 2026: The market square with the baroque town hall serves as the central meeting point, and the castle area as the second festival center with its own character. Both areas are connected by the pedestrian zone and Nicolaiplatz.

Several Stages, Several Programs

The main stage is located on the market square and offers a "colorful stage program" with local and regional music acts — cover rock, Schlager, folk music, pop. In the castle area, CityBeach and the Blue Light Mile are aimed at families: sandy beach, loungers, beach volleyball courts alongside presentations by the fire department, police, and rescue services with demonstrations, vehicle displays, and hands-on activities. Nicolaiplatz hosts the family and children's area with carousels, trampolines, and craft activities. This spatial division allows families, teenagers, and adults to switch between the appropriate areas throughout the weekend.

Flea Market and Amusement Rides

Classic Volksfest elements can be found on the festival grounds: a Ferris wheel as a viewpoint, carousel, roller coaster, children's rides. A larger flea and hobby market stretches along the pedestrian zone — antiques, jewelry, records, books. Regional specialties dominate the culinary offerings: West Saxon sausages, Pulsnitz gingerbread, Glauchau beer from the Glauchau brewery, along with classics like Flammkuchen, crêpes, and mulled wine during the cooler hours.

Glauchau Castle as a Backdrop

Glauchau Castle is one of the oldest and best-preserved Renaissance castle complexes in Saxony, built in the 16th century by the Lords of Schönburg. During the city festival, the castle courtyard and gardens are freely accessible; the castle museum offers special opening hours with reduced admission. This combination of a Volksfest and castle atmosphere makes the Glauchau City Festival special: While you drink your beer in the castle square, you look at the historic facades of Forderglauchau and Hinterglauchau — a unique experience that no modern festival site can offer.

Glauchau in Summer

Glauchau is conveniently located between Chemnitz and Zwickau and is accessible by regional express train in 25 minutes from Zwickau and 35 minutes from Chemnitz. The city festival weekend traditionally falls at the end of June, guaranteeing long summer evenings — the festival runs until 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays, and until 7 p.m. on Sundays. Admission to the entire festival grounds is free.