Gothardusfest Gotha
Four-day city festival in the residential city – 27th edition 2026 with Yvonne Catterfeld
About Gothardusfest
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City Festival of the Former Residential City
For centuries, Gotha was the residential city of the Ernestine line and is now the district capital of the Gotha district. The Gothardusfest, named after Saint Gotthard of Hildesheim, the city's patron saint, commemorates the medieval tradition of the city church festival and has been Gotha's major Volksfest (public festival) for 27 years.
Four Days, Four Stages, Four Squares
The festival spans the central squares of Gotha's old town: Buttermarkt and Oberer Hauptmarkt are the main stages for major concerts, the Brühl becomes a summer lounge with chill-out music and a cocktail bar, and the Neumarkt hosts the family and children's program.
Yvonne Catterfeld as Headliner in 2026
The highlight in 2026 is the performance by pop singer and actress Yvonne Catterfeld on Saturday evening, May 2nd, 2026, at 8 PM on the Oberer Hauptmarkt. Catterfeld – known in the region for her role in "Wege zum Glück" – combines R&B, Soul, and Dance for a captivating open-air concert.
Tradition and Innovation
The opening with the traditional beer tapping at the historic waterworks, the grand parade with around 1,000 participants, the fireworks evening, and classics like the Ducal Wine and Delicacy Garden at the Ernst-dem-Frommen monument give the festival its unmistakable character.
Gothardusfest — edition 2026
2026 Program
The festival program spans four days with thematic focuses: Opening on Thursday evening with a keg tapping ceremony at the historic waterworks, Family Day on Friday, a major concert Saturday with Yvonne Catterfeld, and the parade on Sunday.
Programme Gothardusfest 2026
Thursday, April 30th, 2026
- 5:00 PM – Opening with keg tapping ceremony at the historic waterworks (Hauptmarkt)
- from 6:00 PM – Stage program on all four stages
Friday, May 1st, 2026
- Family Day with children's program on Neumarkt
- Parade rehearsals, Ferris wheel, fairground rides
- Opening of the Ducal Wine and Delicacy Garden at the Ernst-dem-Frommen monument
- Opening of the Summer Lounge in the Brühl
Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 – Concert Day
- 8:00 PM – Yvonne Catterfeld on Oberer Hauptmarkt: Pop, R&B, Soul, and Dance
- other concerts on Buttermarkt and Brühl Summer Lounge
- late evening fireworks
Sunday, May 3rd, 2026
- Grand historical parade with around 1,000 participants
- Closing concerts on all stages
- End of the day in the Brühl Summer Lounge
Full program at gothardusfest.de.
Highlights Gothardusfest 2026
Prices Gothardusfest 2026
Practical information — Gothardusfest
Admission
Admission to the festival grounds is free.
Getting There
Train: ICE stop Gotha Hauptbahnhof, 15 min. walk to the city center. Car: A4 exit Gotha. Parking garages on the outskirts, city center largely closed during the festival.
Best Time to Visit
Saturday evening for the main act (Yvonne Catterfeld in 2026), Sunday for the parade.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Gothardusfest al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Gothardusfest
Gothaer Innenstadt (Buttermarkt, Hauptmarkt, Brühl, Neumarkt)
Hauptmarkt, 99867 Gotha