Saalfeld Beer Festival

Saalfeld — City of Fairies on the Saale

Saalfeld/Saale is the district town of Saalfeld-Rudolstadt in southern Thuringia, located at the transition from the Thuringian Slate Mountains to the Thuringian Forest. With around 26,000 inhabitants, the town is manageable but culturally rich: Saalfeld Fairy Grottos (Guinness World Record for the most colorful show grottos in the world), historic old town with market square and town hall, city museum, St. John's Church. The market square with its historic burgher houses forms the backdrop for the annual beer festival — a tradition that the Bürgerliches Brauhaus Saalfeld has cultivated for years.

Bavarian Flair in Southern Thuringia

What makes the Saalfelder Bierfest special is its distinct Bavarian and Franconian flair: The Saalfelder Bierfest GmbH and the Bürgerliches Brauhaus Saalfeld bring in party bands from Bavaria and Franconia every year to transform the market square into a mini-Wiesn for four days. The Saalfelder Pils is served in Maßkrüge, and the benches and tables create a beer tent atmosphere under the open sky. The bands play Schlager, folk-rock, and party hits — a proven format that delights not only the locals of Saalfeld but also guests from Vogtland, Upper Franconia, and Saxony.

Four Days of Program

Thursday, September 10: Opening with a traditional festival parade and beer tapping, followed by a concert by the Stoapfälzer Spitzbuam — one of the best-known Bavarian party bands of recent years.
Friday, September 11: 5:00 PM start of the 4th Saalfeld Company Run — a city run with company teams; followed by the award ceremony and in the evening, a performance by the Würzbuam from Würzburg.
Saturday, September 12: Afternoon with the traditional auction of lost and found items from Saalfeld (a special local tradition); in the evening, a concert by the Grumis from Franconia, one of Franconia's most successful party bands.
Sunday, September 13: 10:00 AM an international boxing event on stage — an unusual highlight; lunch service, afternoon family program with traditional brass music, followed by a happy hour to round off the festival.

Saalfeld-Rudolstadt, Slate Mountains, Thuringian Forest

Saalfeld is the ideal starting point for exploring two nature parks: the Thuringian Slate Mountains/Upper Saale and the Thuringian Forest. A weekend trip allows for a good combination of the beer festival, the fairy grottos, hikes in the slate mountains, and a visit to the nearby Rudolstadt Heidecksburg (palace). In the state of Thuringia, the Saalfelder Bierfest has become an integral part of the late summer season — a festival that is more than just a Volksfest (public festival) and deliberately imports Bavarian beer and music culture into Thuringia.