Krämerbrückenfest Erfurt

49 Years of Krämerbrückenfest

Erfurt has been celebrating its Krämerbrückenfest since 1975 — for the 49th time in 2026. From June 19th to 21st, the festival opens up the entire historic old town: Krämerbrücke, Fischmarkt, Wenigemarkt, Anger, Domplatz, Theaterplatz, and Petersberg. Music, theatre, acrobatics, and dance alternate on around a dozen stages. Artisans and regional caterers sell their goods in the alleys. The Petersberg opens the festival on Friday evening, and the Domplatz crowns it on Saturday with the Joris concert.

Joris on the Domplatz and «Dinner in the Sky»

On Saturday evening, Joris performs on the Domplatz stage — the second Erfurt highlight of the 2026 Krämerbrückenfest program, with songs like «Herz über Kopf» and «Sommerregen» against the backdrop of Erfurt Cathedral and St. Severus Church. The festival opening on Friday features «Dinner in the Sky»: 22 guests are lifted 50 meters above the Domplatz with table and chairs by a crane and enjoy a 30-minute aperitif with a panoramic view of Erfurt's historic old town.

Program Highlights 2026 — 49th Krämerbrückenfest

• Friday, June 19th — Festival Opening: Opening on Petersberg with the Erfurt Cultural Directorate; «Dinner in the Sky» above the Domplatz (22 guests per flight, 1 hour, from €59 per person — advance booking required at Erfurt Tourist Information); evening concerts at Wenigemarkt and Petersberg Lounge
• Saturday, June 20th — Main Festival Day: From 10:00 AM market operations and stage program throughout the old town; midday family program at Wenigemarkt with fairy tale stage and hands-on activities; afternoon acrobatics and dance at Fischmarkt; 8:00 PM Joris on the Domplatz stage (free admission, early arrival recommended); followed by DJ lounge at Petersberg
• Sunday, June 21st — Festival Finale: Morning pint with jazz at Fischmarkt; afternoon guided tours of the Krämerbrücke; family program Wenigemarkt; another «Dinner in the Sky» (last tables); closing concert at Domplatz
• Stages: Domplatz (Pop & Rock), Wenigemarkt (Family & Theatre), Fischmarkt (Jazz, Folk, Acoustic), Krämerbrücke (Street Music), Petersberg (DJ & Electronic), Theaterplatz (Acrobatics, Dance), Anger (Cabaret, Stand-up)
• Arts and Crafts: Potters, leatherworkers, glassblowers, goldsmiths in the alleys around the Krämerbrücke; open courtyards of the Krämerbrücke residents

The complete program with stage plan will be published shortly before the festival at erfurt-kraemerbrueckenfest.de.

• 49th Krämerbrückenfest — Thuringia's largest old town festival
• Joris on the Domplatz stage (Saturday evening, 8:00 PM)
• «Dinner in the Sky» — Dining table at a height of 50 meters above the Domplatz
• Festival grounds throughout the old town with 12 stages
• Arts and crafts on the Krämerbrücke and in the alleys
• Free admission to the festival grounds

Date 2026

Friday to Sunday, June 19th to 21st, 2026. Main program starts at 10:00 AM, concerts until after midnight.

Location

Historic old town of Erfurt with Krämerbrücke, Fischmarkt, Wenigemarkt, Anger, Domplatz, Theaterplatz, and Petersberg, 99084 Erfurt.

Getting there

By train: Erfurt Hauptbahnhof is an ICE hub (Frankfurt–Berlin and Munich–Leipzig); 10-minute walk from the station to Anger. By car: A4 Frankfurt–Dresden, exit Erfurt-West or Erfurt-Ost, then follow city center signs. During the festival, the old town is largely closed to cars; recommended: P+R Messe Erfurt or ega-Park with tram to the city center.

Admission

Free entry to the entire festival grounds. Special events such as «Dinner in the Sky» (from €59 per person, advance booking required) and individual special concerts require tickets.

Tip

Come by train — parking in the old town is impossible. Book hotel rooms early; the weekend is one of the most in-demand in Erfurt. Guided tours of the Krämerbrücke are offered separately during the festival (book at Erfurt Tourist Information, Benediktsplatz 1).