Name: SonneMondSterne Festival 2026
Start: 2026-08-07T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-08-09T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Saalburg Beach am Bleilochstausee

SMS Festival

About SMS Festival

Since 1997, the SonneMondSterne Festival has been one of Germany's most famous and largest electronic music festivals. Every year, 35,000 to 40,000 visitors gather at the picturesque Bleiloch Reservoir near Saalburg-Ebersdorf in the Thuringian Saale-Orla district to celebrate three days and nights of Techno, House, Hip-Hop, and Electro. In 2026, from August 7th to 9th, it will feature an international lineup including Skrillex's only German show in over ten years, Paul Kalkbrenner, The Chainsmokers, FISHER, Scooter, and over 100 other acts.

Dates 07 Aug — 09 Aug 2026

Venue Saalburg-Ebersdorf (16075)

Prices —

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

SMS Festival — edition 2026

Tickets →

The SonneMondSterne 2026, from August 7th to 9th, brings together over 100 acts at Saalburg Beach. Skrillex performs his only German show in over ten years exclusively at SMS. With Paul Kalkbrenner, The Chainsmokers, FISHER, Scooter, Andy C, SDP, and BUNT. topping the lineup.

2026 Lineup – More Than 100 Acts

The SMS Festival 2026 once again features a mix of international headliners and German scene stars. Highlight: Skrillex returns to Germany for the first time in over ten years – exclusively at SonneMondSterne.

Musical Profile

The focus is on Hip-Hop, House, Electro, and Techno. The lineup ranges from melodic House (FISHER, Andy C) and Pop-EDM (The Chainsmokers, Skrillex) to Tech-House and Underground Techno (Kobosil, Sara Landry, Funk Tribu, Angerfist), as well as German Hip-Hop and Rap (SDP, Ikkimel).

Highlights SMS Festival 2026

Skrillex's only German show in over ten years (exclusive to SMS), Paul Kalkbrenner, The Chainsmokers, FISHER, Scooter, Angerfist, Sara Landry – 100+ acts on multiple stages.

Programme SMS Festival 2026

2026 Headliners

Skrillex (EXCLUSIVE FESTIVAL SHOW IN GERMANY)
Paul Kalkbrenner
The Chainsmokers
FISHER
Scooter
Andy C
SDP
BUNT.

Other Acts (Selection)

Holy Priest, Ikkimel, Sara Landry, Cloudy, Kobosil, Novah
Gestört aber Geil, Luude, Schrotthagen, Clara Cuvé
Hannah Laing, KUKO, LEVT, Paraçek, Pegassi, Prada2000
Amber Broos, Basstripper, Cara Elizabeth, Daxta MC
Niklas Dee, Moritz Hofbauer, Trancemaster Krause
Benski, Calvin Burkardt, Marc Werner, Angerfist
Funk Tribu, A.N.I., Kalte Liebe, Nicolas Julian, NIKOLINA, Vieze Asbak
Lexy & K-Paul, Bonnie Strange, Charleen Herzig, DIA Plattenpussys
Dominique Jardin, Franz!, Hasky, Markus Kavka, Rainer Wachtelborn, Sarazar and many more.

Full lineup and stage breakdown at sonnemondsterne.de/p/lineup.

Prices SMS Festival 2026

Tickets available at sonnemondsterne.de. Festival and camping tickets, day tickets, and VIP options are available. Admission from 16 years old.

Practical information

Practical information — SMS Festival

Getting There

Train: Saalburg-Ebersdorf station, shuttle to the festival grounds. Car: A9 exit Schleiz or Lobenstein. Parking areas are signposted.

Camping

Camping by the lake is included with the festival ticket. Beach access and water sports are available.

Admission

Ages 16 and up (16- and 17-year-olds only with a parental consent form).

Festival by the Reservoir – A Cult Classic Since 1997

The SonneMondSterne Festival – SMS for short – is a German institution in electronic music. Celebrations have been held every August at the Bleilochtalsperre, Germany's largest reservoir, since 1997. Its location between forests and water in Thuringia's Saale-Orla district gives the festival its unmistakable flair: swimming during the day, beats in the evening.

Saalburg Beach – Stages Right on the Water

The festival grounds at Saalburg Beach feature several stages with different music genres: the Mainstage for the big headliners, Sphere for underground techno, and additional floors for House, Hip-Hop, and experimental sounds. The camping areas are located directly on the lake – swimming, water sports, and festival vibes blend seamlessly.

40,000 Visitors, 100 Acts

In 2026, SMS expects around 40,000 guests from all over Europe. With over 100 announced acts, the lineup is one of the most packed of the German festival season. The festival is open to ages 16 and up and is considered a younger sibling to traditional Volksfeste (popular festivals) – with its own energy, aesthetic, and audience.

Saalburg-Ebersdorf – The Festival City

The small town of Saalburg-Ebersdorf in southern Thuringia lives to the rhythm of the festival for one week a year. Travel by train to Saalburg-Ebersdorf, then take a shuttle to the grounds. Camping on-site, hotels, and guesthouses in the region are booked up far in advance.