Köthen Garden Market

Spring in the Bach Town

Köthen is known as the Bach town—Johann Sebastian Bach composed his Brandenburg Concertos here from 1717 to 1723. The town in the district of Anhalt-Bitterfeld is now a quiet medium-sized town in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, located about 35 km north of Halle (Saale) and 20 km east of Dessau-Roßlau. In spring, however, the picture changes: at the end of April, the streets and squares of the city center become the stage for the Köthen Garden Market.

On April 30, 2026, the market opens between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Organized by Köthen Kultur und Marketing GmbH, the market transforms the Köthen city center—from Stiftstraße via Schloßstraße to the market square—into a garden world with hundreds of stands.

Plants, Herbs, Delicacies

The spectrum is broad: at the center are the plant markets with regional and producer nurseries offering perennials, herbs, fruit trees, spring flowers, and garden art. They are joined by stands with regional specialties: honey products from Anhalt, sausage and cheese specialties from the Magdeburger Börde and Saalekreis, herbs and spices, sweets, and homemade liqueurs.

Another focus is on crafts: pottery, jewelry design, handmade candles, children's fashion, and gifts. This makes the market interesting not only for garden lovers but for the whole family.

Köthen, the Castle, and the City Center

Köthen's city center is well-preserved and manageable. Everything from the market square with the baroque Köthen Castle (seat of Köthen Kultur und Marketing GmbH) to St. James' Church is within walking distance. The garden market uses this backdrop—and makes the day not just for shopping, but for a city experience. Those who visit the market can subsequently visit the castle and the Bach House, take part in a city tour, or make a detour to the nearby UNESCO World Heritage site Garden Kingdom of Dessau-Wörlitz.

Unique in the State of Saxony-Anhalt

While other garden markets in Saxony-Anhalt are limited to specific sectors (pure plant markets, pure craft markets), the Köthen market offers an unusually broad mix. This makes it a must-visit for anyone who wants to combine spring with a day trip to a charming central German town.