Merzig Old Town Festival
Summer festival in the historic old town with two stages and Seffersbach idyll
About Altstadtfest Merzig
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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.
Altstadtfest Merzig — edition 2026
The event calendar for the City of Merzig indicates July 3rd to 6th, 2026, for the Old Town Festival. The traditional opening takes place on Friday evening with the tapping of the first keg on the Altstadtplatz, followed by headline concerts on the main stage on Friday and Saturday evenings.
The exact lineup of bands and stage locations will be announced by the City of Merzig in May/June 2026 via the official website and local press. As in previous years, expect several stages with rock, pop, Schlager, acoustic folk, and big band performances, combined with an extensive area for club stands.
Programme Altstadtfest Merzig 2026
Friday, July 3, 2026 — Opening
- 6:00 PM — Opening of club stands around Altstadtplatz
- 7:00 PM — Keg Tapping by the Mayor
- 7:30 PM — Opening concert on the main stage Altstadtplatz
- 9:00 PM — Headliner band (Rock/Cover)
Saturday, July 4, 2026 — Main Evening
- 11:00 AM — Festival opens at Altstadtplatz and Seffersbach
- 2:00 PM — Acoustic stage at Seffersbach with folk and singer-songwriter acts
- 6:00 PM — Big band at Marktplatz
- 8:30 PM — Main Concert on the main stage
- 10:00 PM — Dance evening with DJ
Sunday, July 5, 2026 — Family Day
- 10:00 AM — Ecumenical Festival Service at Altstadtplatz
- 11:00 AM — Morning pint with brass music
- 2:00 PM — Children's stage with program in Stadtpark (bouncy castle, craft stations)
- 5:00 PM — Dance orchestra
- 8:00 PM — Live music until midnight
Monday, July 6, 2026 — Wind Down
- 5:00 PM — Stands open for the final day
- 7:00 PM — Closing concert
- 10:00 PM — Festival ends
The complete band program and stage locations will be announced from June 2026 on merzig.de.
Highlights Altstadtfest Merzig 2026
- Two main stages and several side stages spread throughout the old town
- Club stands and city center gastronomy with regional specialties
- Acoustic stage by the idyllic Seffersbach
- Children's area in Stadtpark with bouncy castle and hands-on activities
- Ecumenical festival service on Sunday morning
Prices Altstadtfest Merzig 2026
Free admission on all four days. Food and drinks at typical club prices.
Practical information — Altstadtfest Merzig
Getting There
Merzig is located in the Merzig-Wadern district, about 45 km northwest of Saarbrücken. By car via the A8 (Merzig exit). By public transport from Saarbrücken Hauptbahnhof with the RB 71 (approx. 35 min.). Merzig station is a 10-minute walk from the old town.
Admission
Free admission on all four days. Food and drinks at club and gastronomy prices.
Accommodation
Hotels in Merzig's city center (Hotel zum Schwan, Park Hotel) or near the Bostalsee lake or the Saarschleife.
Tip
Combine your visit with a trip to the Saarschleife near Mettlach (15 min. drive) or to the Wolfspark Werner Freund in Merzig.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Altstadtfest Merzig al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Altstadtfest Merzig
Merziger Altstadt — Altstadtplatz, Seffersbach, mehrere Bühnen
Altstadt / Altstadtplatz Merzig, 66663 Merzig