Grete Minde Festival Tangermünde
Edition 2026 Heritage Folk traditions Folklore

Grete Minde Festival Tangermünde

Historic Town Festival in the Hanseatic City on the Elbe

Tangermünde — Landkreis Stendal (15090)
Dates 08 May — 09 May 2026
Venue Tangermünde (15090)
Prices Free
Status Confirmed

About Grete Minde Festival

The Grete Minde Festival commemorates one of the darkest episodes in Tangermünde's town history: in 1617, Grete Minde was executed for alleged arson — centuries later, she has been officially rehabilitated. Today, the Hanseatic city on the Elbe celebrates her memory with a historic town festival on the market square, featuring a program for adults and children.

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Tangermünde and Grete Minde

The story is tragic — and it has shaped Tangermünde like few others. Grete Minde, a young citizen of the town, was accused in 1617 of starting the devastating town fire of September 13, 1617, which destroyed large parts of Tangermünde. She was convicted and executed. More than 300 years later, the question of guilt was re-examined — Grete Minde is considered innocent today, posthumously rehabilitated. Theodor Fontane immortalized her story literarily in his novella Grete Minde in 1880; the play by Hans Pfitzner is another well-known adaptation.

The Festival

Today, Tangermünde commemorates this history as a historic town festival — not a somber memorial event, but a lively civic festival that combines the memory of Grete Minde with pride in the city. The venue is the market square of Tangermünde, one of the most beautiful brick Gothic ensembles in Northern Germany, featuring the town hall, St. Stephen's Church, and a well-preserved historic town wall. The 2026 program runs over a weekend in May with offerings for adults and children.

Tangermünde — Queen of the Altmark

Tangermünde, the "Queen of the Altmark," is one of Germany's best-preserved brick Gothic towns. Emperor Charles IV resided here at times; the town was an important trading post in the Hanseatic League and is located at the mouth of the Tanger River into the Elbe. The state of Saxony-Anhalt promotes Tangermünde as a tourist flagship — the town is the endpoint of many Elbe Cycle Route stages and a popular destination between Berlin and Hamburg. In the district of Stendal, it holds a special position as a town with its own unique appeal.

More Than a Town Festival

The Grete Minde Festival is part of Tangermünde's calendar of events, alongside the Kaiser Karl Festival, the Christmas Market, and the Tangermünde Days. In spring, it marks the start of the tourist season — many visitors combine the festival with a walk along the town wall, a visit to Tangermünde Castle, or a boat trip on the Elbe.

Grete Minde Festival — edition 2026

The Grete Minde Festival 2026 takes place on Friday and Saturday, May 8 and 9, 2026, on Tangermünde's market square. A historic town festival with a program for adults and children commemorating Grete Minde, who was executed in 1617 for alleged arson and rehabilitated centuries later.

The Grete Minde Festival 2026 will be held on May 8 and 9, 2026, on Tangermünde's historic market square. The Tangermünde Tourist Office has included the town festival in its annual event calendar — as a vibrant commemoration of the town's history and the start of the tourist season. A detailed program and set times will be published in spring 2026 on the official tourism website.

Programme Grete Minde Festival 2026

Friday, May 8, 2026 — Tangermünde Market Square

  • Festival opening in the late afternoon
  • Historically inspired stage program
  • Performances by regional music groups
  • Gastronomy on the market square

Saturday, May 9, 2026 — Tangermünde Market Square

  • Main program day with offerings for adults and children
  • Medieval and historical elements
  • Family program and hands-on activities
  • Live music on the main stage
  • Market stalls around the market square

A detailed program and stage act times will be published by the Tangermünde Tourist Office in advance at tourismus-tangermuende.de.

Highlights Grete Minde Festival 2026

Historic town festival with Grete Minde connection, Tangermünde market square, family program, brick Gothic backdrop.

Prices Grete Minde Festival 2026

Admission to the town festival is free. Food, drinks, and individual program items are subject to a fee.

Practical information — Grete Minde Festival

Getting There

Tangermünde is located in the Stendal district, approx. 12 kilometers east of Stendal on the Elbe River. By car via the B188 or B189. By train to Stendal (ICE stop) and then take the regional train to Tangermünde station (approx. 15 minutes). The market square is within walking distance of the station.

Admission

Admission to the town festival on the market square is free. Food, drinks, and individual program items are subject to a fee.

Contact

Tangermünde Tourist Office, Markt 2, 39590 Tangermünde, Tel. 039322 22393, E-mail [email protected]. Current program overview at tourismus-tangermuende.de.

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Where it takes place Grete Minde Festival

Marktplatz Tangermünde

Marktplatz, 39590 Tangermünde

Contact Grete Minde Festival

Tel
+49 39322 22393

Grete Minde Festival at a glance

Heritage Folk traditions Folklore Outdoor Multidisciplinary Landkreis Stendal

History of Grete Minde Festival