MDR Harz Open Air Wernigerode

Open-Air Summer Finale in the Harz

As summer draws to a close in Wernigerode, the MDR Harz Open Air is one of the undisputed highlights of the cultural calendar. Bürgerpark Wernigerode — nestled between the castle and the town center — provides the backdrop for a concert that attracts several thousand spectators and also forms the weekend of a popular broadcast day for Mitteldeutscher Rundfunk. Live broadcasts, audience interaction, a well-thought-out family concept: the event has become a fixture in the event calendar of the Harz district in recent years.

The open-air event is organized by Wernigerode Tourismus GmbH in collaboration with MDR Sachsen-Anhalt. For years, it has been hosted by Susi Brandt and Lars Wohlfarth, both well-known from MDR Sachsen-Anhalt radio. Their relaxed introductions give the evening precisely that mix of Volksfest (public festival) atmosphere and professional stage show that keeps regular visitors coming back.

Mainstream Pop Meets Harz Tradition

The booking concept follows a clear line: well-known names from Schlager, Pop, and Rock'n'Roll, plus regional supporting acts and an afternoon family segment with a children's disco. This caters to a broad audience, from teenagers to grandparents. Wernigerode benefits doubly: the colorful half-timbered town at the foot of the Brocken mountain sees a massive increase in day visitors, and the region — the Harz district in the state of Saxony-Anhalt — gets a media-effective showcase of its tourist strengths.

Family-Friendly Concept

The open-air event begins early in the afternoon with programs for children — interactive parties, games, ice cream. The headliners take center stage only towards the evening. This sequence — from family matinee to band performance — makes the MDR Harz Open Air one of the few major open-air concerts in Saxony-Anhalt that explicitly targets all age groups.