Merzig Old Town Festival

Summer Festival in the Saarschleife Town

Merzig, with around 30,000 inhabitants, is the district town in the Landkreis Merzig-Wadern and is known as the "Gateway to the Saarschleife". Every year in July, the historic old town with its distinctive Renaissance town hall and the town church of St. Peter becomes the venue for the Merziger Altstadtfest — one of the most established and atmospheric city festivals in the northern Saarland.

Two Stages, One Old Town

Spread across the pedestrian zone, the Altstadtplatz, the historic Marktplatz, and along the small Seffersbach river that flows through the city center, there are several stages. Regional rock, pop, and cover bands perform on the main stage at Altstadtplatz, while the side stage at Seffersbach is reserved for acoustic and folk groups. Big bands and dance orchestras play in the Marktplatz area.

Clubs, Restaurants, Gastronomy

The culinary diversity is supported by two groups: the Merzig clubs (sports, carnival, church choir, fire brigade, local history society), offering homemade food and beer, as well as the restaurants and bars of the old town, which set up additional outdoor stands. The range includes Schwenkbraten (grilled meat) and Lyoner (sausage) to French crêpes (the Moselle is not far) and modern street food stations.

Family Program and Children's Area

A children's area with a bouncy castle, craft stations, and children's concerts is set up in the Stadtpark between the Seffersbach and the city library. Clubs like TV Merzig and the scouts organize hands-on activities. Ecumenical festival services take place on Sunday mornings.

Festival Calendar and Organizers

The Altstadtfest is organized by the City of Merzig in cooperation with the Tourism Information and the business association. It is part of a dense Merzig summer calendar that enlivens the city center from June to August with the Merziger Kultursommer (free open-air concerts) on the same Altstadtplatz.