Harz Festival of the Harz District — Hasselfelde

Harz Festival — The Annual Gathering of the District

The Harz district is not only one of the most scenic in Saxony-Anhalt — it is also one of the largest. From the Brocken mountain to Wernigerode, Quedlinburg, and Halberstadt, down to the Selke valley, it encompasses towns with UNESCO World Heritage status, health resorts, low mountain village communities, and industrial sites. The Harz Festival, initiated by the district and one of the local municipalities, aims to bring together precisely this diversity: a weekend in August when all towns, clubs, and economic players of the district come together in the host municipality.

In 2026, the honor falls to Hasselfelde. The town, which has been part of the municipality Oberharz am Brocken since the administrative reform, is located in the Südharz (South Harz) at an altitude of almost 500 meters — nestled between the reservoirs of the Rappbode system and the Western town of Pullman City. Mayor Ronald Fiebelkorn cited the small town's 'large spa park, good accessibility, and established tourist infrastructure' as reasons for hosting.

Seven Miles, One Parade

The format has proven successful: The festival grounds are divided into themed miles. The Blue Light Mile showcases fire departments, THW (Federal Agency for Technical Relief), and rescue services in action, while the Medieval Mile brings together craftspeople, jugglers, and musicians in historical costumes. The Job and Business Mile offers a showcase for Harz companies, the Club Mile provides space for the hundreds of local clubs, the Tourism Mile presents destinations between the Brocken and the Bode Valley, and the Children's Mile caters to the youngest visitors. The highlight is the parade on Saturday, featuring floats and walking groups from across the entire district.

Hasselfelde and its Waldseebad

For 2026, there's a special addition: The Waldseebad Hasselfelde (forest lake pool) celebrates its 100th anniversary. This natural outdoor pool, created in 1926, will be the focal point of the event, with water shows, light installations, and sporting demonstrations. Concurrently, the sports club Grasedanz Hasselfelde celebrates its 140th anniversary. Stages, live music from the district, and a fireworks display will round off the program.

Hasselfelde — Gateway to the Südharz

Visitors to the Harz Festival can easily combine their trip with a short tour of the Harz region. The Harz narrow-gauge railway runs through Hasselfelde, the Rappbodetalsperre dam with Germany's longest suspension bridge is a 15-minute drive away, the Köhlerei am Stemberghaus demonstrates traditional crafts, and the Western town of Pullman City on the outskirts is an attraction for families. Hasselfelde belongs to the Harz district and thus to the most popular tourist area of Saxony-Anhalt.