Name: Schleusinger Countryfestival am Bergsee Ratscher 2026
Start: 2026-07-24T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-07-26T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Bergsee Ratscher (Ortsteil Ratscher von Schleusingen)

Countryfestival Ratscher

About Countryfestival Ratscher

The Schleusinger Countryfestival at Bergsee Ratscher is considered one of Germany's most important Country Open-Air Festivals. Three days of live country music on the stage overlooking the lake, international bands, cowboy flair, and camping by the mountain lake. The 39th edition will take place from July 24th to 26th, 2026 — preceded by the Country Camp from July 19th to 23rd with daily live music. One of the most important summer events in the Hildburghausen district.

Dates 24 Jul — 26 Jul 2026

Venue Schleusingen (16069)

Prices —

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Countryfestival Ratscher — edition 2026

Tickets →

The 39th edition of the Schleusinger Countryfestival runs from July 24th to 26th, 2026, at Bergsee Ratscher. Three days of live country music on the open-air stage, camping by the lake, line dance workshops, and a western market. Preceded by: Country Camp from July 19th to 23rd with daily live music in a smaller setting. Reservation: 036841 / 40015.

The 2026 festival begins on Friday, July 24th, with the official main program — but the actual festival kickoff takes place on July 19th with the Country Camp. During the five camp days before the festival, bands perform daily in a smaller setting, along with workshops and western market atmosphere for regular visitors.

On the actual festival weekend (July 24–26), several bands will alternate on the stage by the lake each day. The lineup will be gradually released in the months before the festival — traditionally, there are both German country bands and international acts from the USA, Great Britain, and Scandinavia. Camping remains part of the festival experience, and the western flair shapes the entire area.

Highlights Countryfestival Ratscher 2026

39th edition at Bergsee Ratscher
Country Camp July 19–23 before the festival
Open-air stage directly by the lake
Camping included in the festival concept
Line dance and western market

Programme Countryfestival Ratscher 2026

Country Camp — July 19–23, 2026 (Preceding)

Daily live music by the Bergsee
Line dance workshops
Western market
Camping with the country community

Festival Main Weekend — July 24–26, 2026

Friday, July 24, 2026 — Opening

Opening of the main stage at Bergsee
First bands on the open-air stage (lineup to be published in Spring 2026)

Saturday, July 25, 2026 — Main Festival Day

Several bands throughout the day
International headliners in the evening
Line dance workshops and interactive program
Western market open

Sunday, July 26, 2026 — Closing

Country church service
More concerts
Farewell parade and festival conclusion

Tickets, current lineup, and camping bookings: bergseeratscher.de or 036841 / 40015.

Prices Countryfestival Ratscher 2026

Tickets via the official festival website. Weekend passes with/without camping, day tickets possible. Country Camp can be booked separately (with camping).

Practical information

Practical information — Countryfestival Ratscher

Getting There

By car via the B89 or the A73 (Eisfeld-Süd exit). Schleusingen train station with bus connections to the Bergsee. Festival shuttle may be available during peak times.

Admission

Tickets via the official festival website. Camping is usually included in the festival ticket or available for an additional charge. Day tickets are possible. Country Camp can be booked separately.

Tip

For a full week of country music, book the Country Camp (July 19–23) — daily live music, workshops, and camping with the country community.

Country in the Southern Thuringian Forest

Schleusingen is located in the Hildburghausen district — nestled in the southern foothills of the Thuringian Forest. About three kilometers outside the town center, in the Ratscher district, lies the Bergsee Ratscher: a small reservoir with a campsite, beach, and event stage. The Schleusinger Countryfestival has been held here since 1988 — for almost four decades. It is one of the oldest and most renowned country festivals in Germany.

39th Edition 2026

The 39th edition will be celebrated in 2026. From July 24th to 26th, country and western bands from Germany, the USA, and other countries will perform on the open-air stage. Preceding this is the Country Camp from July 19th to 23rd — daily live music in a smaller setting, plus line dance workshops, a western market, and camping. Those who are country fans and have time can spend a whole week by the mountain lake.

Cowboy Flair and Camping by the Lake

What makes the festival special is the combination of country music and the idyllic lake setting. The stage is by the water, the audience sits in a semi-circle or stands on the dance floor, and behind the stage stretches the mountain lake — a special sight at sunset. Camping is part of the festival concept: hundreds of mobile homes and tents are spread across the area around the lake, and many regular guests travel here annually.

Line Dance and Western Market

In addition to the concerts, line dance workshops and a western market are part of the program. The market offers cowboy boots, hats, country fashion, handmade leather goods, and western decorations. Line dance — the choreographed group dance of the country scene — is offered in workshops for beginners and advanced dancers and shapes the lifestyle around the festival.

Southern Thuringian Hospitality

While the music follows international country standards, the catering remains distinctly Southern Thuringian: bratwurst, potato soup, and beer from regional breweries are part of the gastronomic offerings. The festival maintains its down-to-earth atmosphere — not a mass festival, but a weekend for country fans who appreciate the genre and the community.