Ruinen- und Heimatfest Elsterberg

A Festival on a Four-Year Cycle

Unlike most town festivals, the Ruinen- und Heimatfest Elsterberg takes place not annually, but every four years. This makes each edition a special event: the town prepares for months, clubs, artists, showmen, and traditional costume groups come together. The 35th edition in 2026 — from August 28th to 30th — follows the 2022 edition and is eagerly awaited. Those who don't want to miss the chance to experience the festival every four years should mark 2026 on their calendars.

The Castle Ruins as a Venue

The Elsterberg castle ruins provide the most remarkable backdrop for the festival. Situated on a rocky spur above the White Elster valley, it is one of the largest castle ruins in the Vogtland region and dates back to the 11th century. It was destroyed in the Hussite Wars in 1430 and never rebuilt — today, the mighty remnants of the walls, the keep, and the remains of burgher houses within the complex serve as the picturesque settings for the festival. Concerts, readings, and medieval stalls are spread throughout the grounds.

On the Market Square — Clubs and Showmen

Parallel to the castle, the Elsterberg market square is a focal point: here you'll find the main stage with concerts, stalls from local clubs, showmen's carousels, food vendors, and a craft market. Local clubs — fire department, sports, carnival, heritage society — provide food and showcase their activities.

Parade on Sunday

The traditional parade on Sunday is the emotional highlight: traditional costume groups, music bands, floats, equestrian groups, and clubs march through the town center — past the castle and the market square. Families line the streets; some floats have been built by the same clubs for decades. It's heritage preservation at its finest — not a tourist spectacle, but an affirmation of identity for a small town.

Finale: Fireworks over the Castle

The grand finale is a spectacular fireworks display on Saturday or Sunday evening — with the castle ruins silhouetted against the sky, creating one of the most stunning images the Vogtland has to offer. The exact time and location will be published on elsterberg.de and in the municipal gazette.

Elsterberg and the Upper Vogtland

The town of Elsterberg, with around 4,000 inhabitants, is located in the Vogtland district in the upper Vogtland region, at the transition to the Thuringian Slate Mountains. The valley of the *White Elster* river shapes the landscape, and the castle ruins are the region's tourist landmark. The area is known as the *Vogtland Music Region* — Markneukirchen, famous for its musical instrument manufacturing (violins, wind instruments), is only 30 minutes away.