Heimat- und Schifferfest Roßlau

Where the Elbe Creates Tradition

Since its incorporation in 2007, Roßlau has been a district of the independent city of Dessau-Roßlau, located directly on the Elbe, where the river forms one of its most beautiful side arms. Shipping here is not folklore, but economic history: for centuries, Roßlau was an important transshipment point between Magdeburg and Wittenberg, with shipyards, river navigators, shipping companies, and its own boat-building tradition. The Heimat- und Schifferfest (local and shanty festival), celebrated in its current form since the 1990s and expected to have its 33rd edition in 2026, is the annual commemoration of this past.

What makes the event in Saxony-Anhalt's festival landscape particularly special is its genuine connection to the river. The festival grounds extend onto the Elbe balcony – a promenade directly on the bank – and into the city center. A farmers' market with regional products, the "Allee der Vereine" (avenue of associations) with presentations by Roßlau's sports, local history, and cultural clubs, a flea market, a festival tent, and a funfair on the Elbe meadow are part of the regular program.

The Highlight: Fireworks over the Elbe

The grand Saturday evening fireworks display is one of the most beautiful in Saxony-Anhalt: pyrotechnicians launch the effects from the Elbe bank, the reflection in the water doubles every detonation, and the Elbe balcony offers the best view. Those unlucky with the weather may see the fireworks rescheduled for another date – a practice the Schifferfestverein (shanty festival association) has established in recent years.

Roßlau, Dessau, Saxony-Anhalt

Dessau-Roßlau is an independent city in Saxony-Anhalt and culturally belongs to the Anhalt region. With the neighboring UNESCO World Heritage site Gartenreich, the Bauhaus Dessau, and the Junkers-Park area, the city boasts an unusual mix of classical cultural landscape and industrial history. The Schifferfest plays a different role: it is a folk festival, an identity builder, and an anchor for the Roßlau district, which cultivates its own profile with just under 15,000 inhabitants.