Stadtfest 700 Years of Town Rights Zahna

An Anniversary with a Historic Date

On February 22, 1326, Duke Rudolf I of Saxe-Wittenberg granted Zahna town rights. 700 years later, in the summer of 2026, the unified municipality of Zahna-Elster in the Wittenberg district is celebrating this date with a large town festival. The festive opening was already made by a gala event on February 21/22, 2025, which featured theatrical performances on the town's history and the appointment of former Minister President Reiner Haseloff as an honorary citizen. The actual town festival will now follow in June 2026.

Zahna in the Wittenberg District

Zahna is – although today part of the unified municipality of Zahna-Elster – an independent historical town center with a market square, town hall, and the late Gothic St. Mary's Church. The town is located at the transition from the Wittenberg lowlands bay to Lower Lusatia, on the historic salt road between Halle and Berlin. Its history is closely linked to the Reformation – only 15 kilometers away is Lutherstadt Wittenberg, a UNESCO World Heritage site and the birthplace of the Reformation.

Festival Program: Three Days Around the Town Hall

The festival grounds extend over the town center of Zahna – around the town hall, the market square, the surrounding streets, and St. Mary's Church. On all three festival days, there will be market stalls from Zahna's businesses, clubs, and private individuals, a stage program with local and national artists, and culinary offerings. The absolute highlight is the historical parade on Saturday, June 6, 2026, which will wind through the town center and depict 700 years of town history in episodes on floats.

Annemarie Eilfeld on the Market Square Stage

A special program item: On Saturday, June 6, at 12:00 PM, schlager singer Annemarie Eilfeld will perform on the main stage at the town hall. Eilfeld, known from the casting show "DSDS" and national TV formats, is rooted in the Zahna region and is returning to her homeland. An autograph session will follow her performance.

Civic Festival in the State of Saxony-Anhalt

The 700th anniversary of Zahna is a typical example of the town anniversary culture in Saxony-Anhalt: Citizens can receive stall space free of charge, the festival committee coordinates on a voluntary basis, and sponsors support the program. In the Wittenberg district, the event is the largest civic festival of the year in 2026.