Havelberg Horse Market
Northern Germany's largest folk festival with over 250 years of tradition
About Horse Market Havelberg
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When 6,500 Residents Welcome 200,000 Guests
Havelberg is located in the north of Saxony-Anhalt, in the Stendal district, where the Havel river makes a wide bend shortly before flowing into the Elbe. With only 6,500 inhabitants, the Hanseatic town is one of the smallest towns in Germany with town rights. But once a year, its population explodes by a factor of 30: when the mayor taps the beer keg in the market square at 3 p.m. on the first Thursday in September, it's the Horse Market – and thus one of the largest folk festivals in Northern Germany – that opens.
The tradition dates back to the 18th century. Originally, the Horse Market was a major agricultural event: horses were traded, new breeding lines were presented, and deals were made between farmers, traders, and military units. Over the centuries, it has evolved into a multifaceted folk festival where the horse tradition remains visible – with horse shows, coachman demonstrations, and its own horse section – but funfair, flea market, and festival tents now occupy the largest space.
Four Days, Four Worlds
The festival grounds extend over the entire old town of Havelberg and the Havel island: Horse Market area with show events and sales, Flea Market with hundreds of traders (one of the largest in Northern Germany), Funfair with carousels, a Ferris wheel, and a roller coaster, Festival Tent with daily live music program. The Hanseatic town skillfully distributes the events: the atmosphere shifts from the historic market square with bakery stalls to the noisy funfair peninsula with bass beats and flashing rides.
Free Admission – That Makes the Difference
One of the remarkable features of the Horse Market: admission is free. Unlike most major folk festivals, Havelberg does not fence off the grounds. This makes the festival a democratic experience and helps explain why families travel from all over the north – Hamburg, Berlin, Brandenburg, and the rural regions of Saxony-Anhalt. The Horse Market is a phenomenon that one must experience in Saxony-Anhalt to believe.
Horse Market Havelberg — edition 2026
The program follows the structure proven over decades. The kick-off on Thursday at 3 PM is the traditional beer tapping in the market square by the mayor – at the same time, the festival tents open, the funfair starts operating, and the horse section begins with the presentation of this year's show breeds. Friday and Saturday are the main event days with full operation on all areas: giant flea market with traders from all over Northern Germany, festival tent evenings with live bands and DJs, horse shows, and demonstrations. Sunday is family day – and ends at 9 PM with the grand closing fireworks over the Havel.
Programme Horse Market Havelberg 2026
Thursday, September 3, 2026 — 3 PM to 12 AM
- 3:00 PM — Official opening with beer tapping in the market square by the mayor
- Opening of the horse area, funfair, flea market, and festival tent
- Live music in the festival tent in the evening
Friday, September 4, 2026 — 1 PM to 12 AM
- Horse shows and demonstrations during the day
- Full operation of funfair and flea market
- Grand festival tent program in the evening
Saturday, September 5, 2026 — 10 AM to 1 AM
- Highlight of the horse section with show events and horse trading
- Giant flea market with hundreds of traders
- Main concert/DJ set in the festival tent in the evening
Sunday, September 6, 2026 — 11 AM to 9 PM
- Family day with a focus on children's programs
- Horse blessing in the morning
- 9:00 PM — Grand closing fireworks over the Havel
Note
The detailed music program in the festival tent will be announced by the Hanseatic City of Havelberg from summer 2026 on havelberg.de.
Highlights Horse Market Havelberg 2026
Prices Horse Market Havelberg 2026
Practical information — Horse Market Havelberg
Getting There
Havelberg is accessible via the B107. By train: Stendal or Wittenberge + Bus 950 (Stendal–Havelberg). During the Horse Market, the town sets up special parking lots outside the old town with shuttle service. Those who prefer can arrive by boat via the Havel and Elbe rivers.
Admission
Admission is free. Individual events (horse shows, gala evenings in the festival tent) may be subject to a charge.
On Site
Opening hours: Thursday 3 PM-12 AM, Friday 1 PM-12 AM, Saturday 10 AM-1 AM, Sunday 11 AM-9 PM. Festival tent with live program every evening. Closing fireworks on Sunday at 9 PM. Accommodation in Havelberg is extremely limited – book well in advance or in the surrounding area (Stendal, Tangermünde, Wittenberge).
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Horse Market Havelberg al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Horse Market Havelberg
Innenstadt Havelberg
Markt 1, 39539 Havelberg