Pirna City Festival

Pirna — Gateway to Saxon Switzerland

Pirna is located in southeastern Saxony directly on the Elbe River, in the Sächsische Schweiz-Osterzgebirge district in the state of Saxony — the gateway to Saxon Switzerland, the famous low mountain range with Bastei, Königstein, and Lilienstein. The city, with around 39,000 inhabitants, has an exceptionally well-preserved Renaissance Old Town — the market square with the town hall, the town church of St. Marien, the Canaletto houses on the Elbe. Canaletto painted seven famous Pirna vedute in 1755, and the Old Town silhouette has remained largely unchanged since then. During the city festival, this backdrop unfolds its effect doubly.

Three Days of Festival Atmosphere in the Old Town

The city festival extends throughout the entire Old Town: market square with the main stage, Lange Straße, Schössergasse, inner courtyards, and alleys. Several stages are spread across the historic center, along with stalls offering arts and crafts and gastronomy. For three days, the city center is a pedestrian zone — Pirna celebrates itself and its visitors.

Renowned Artists in 2026

The 2026 stage program brings together renowned artists from across the German mainstream spectrum: Glasperlenspiel from Stockach (electropop duo, known for «Geiles Leben», «Echt», «Royals») on the main stage on Saturday evening, followed by fireworks; Marquess (Hannover-based Latin pop band, known for «Vayamos compañeros», «Mira la cara», «El temperamento») celebrates its 20th anniversary; Olaf Berger (Saxon Schlager legend with «Schwarzes Gold», «Ein Stück vom Glück») celebrates 40 years on stage; and Stern-Combo Meißen (East German rock legend, founded in 1964) brings Saxon rock history to the stage on Sunday afternoon. The opening on Friday evening is by the party band Jolly Jumper.

Courtyards, Alleys, and Culinary Delights

Besides the stages, the inner courtyards and alleys of the Old Town are the real experience. Small bars and snack stands are set up in the courtyards of historic burgher houses, local restaurants open their spaces, and street musicians perform. The festival mile connects the main stage, market square, Lange Straße, Klosterhof, and the Elbe promenade into a circuit that invites exploration for three days.

Saxon Switzerland as a Backdrop

Pirna's location at the gateway to Saxon Switzerland makes the city festival a special attraction for tourists from Dresden and the Berlin region, who combine a weekend of hiking in Saxon Switzerland with a festival visit in Pirna. A Bastei hike in the morning, the city festival in the afternoon and evening — this is a typical Pirna weekend in June.