International Blues & Rock Festival Altzella

Blues Festival in a Medieval Monastery Complex

The Klosterpark Altzella is one of the most remarkable venues for a blues festival in Germany: on the grounds of a medieval Cistercian monastery complex from the 12th century, whose ruins and outbuildings are embedded in an English landscape park. The Altzella Monastery was founded in 1162, secularized in 1540, and transformed into a landscape park by Elector Friedrich August III in 1787. Today, it houses the Saxon Switzerland-Erzgebirge Museum with its convent building, refectory, and a mausoleum of the Saxon Wettin dynasty. This atmospherically dense environment gives the Blues & Rock Festival a character that sets it apart from typical open-air blues festivals — not an industrial festival meadow, but a landscape park with monastery ruins, trees, and calm water.

International Line-up 2026

The 2026 festival brings together an internationally composed line-up. From Croatia comes Vanja Sky, an emerging guitarist on the international blues scene with a modern blues-rock sound. From the Netherlands, Lynn & The RattleShakes bring 1950s and 1960s vintage rock and roll to the stage, while Kees Schipper & Bemanning, a festival regular with over 50 years of stage experience, will perform. The German scene is represented by Muddy What?, among others — a contemporary blues trio with "energy, groove, and real joy of playing." From Austria comes Kutscher's Blues Band with a mix of classic and alternative blues-rock elements. Further confirmed acts include: Stone Water, Dodge Boogie, The Maestros, Feed That Fire, plus a number of other bands.

Two Days of Festival Atmosphere

On Thursday, May 14th, 2026, the festival opens its gates at 10:00 AM (start 11:00 AM) — an unusually early start to the day, which however ideally utilizes the Klosterpark's character and rural setting. On Friday, May 15th, admission is from 1:00 PM (start 2:00 PM). Several stages are spread throughout the park, allowing multiple concerts to run concurrently. Food and drinks are offered at various stands — from vegetarian cuisine to burgers and bratwurst, along with Saxon beer and non-alcoholic alternatives. A family zone and accessible infrastructure are provided.

Accommodation and Travel

The Klosterpark Altzella is located near Nossen, about 30 km west of Dresden in the Meißen district. Day visitors can park at the Sortenamt parking lot (Waldheimer Straße 219). Those wishing to stay overnight can camp on the Große Wiese (Zellaer Straße 21) or park their motorhomes — the festival has set up its own accommodation facilities with sanitary services. This festival camping option directly at the monastery grounds is part of the cozy atmosphere that defines the Altzella Blues Festival. Tickets are available online at bluesundrock-altzella.de/tickets or at regional advance booking offices.