Town Festival and Trade Fair Braunsbedra

A Young Town Festival at Lake Geiseltal

Braunsbedra is located on Lake Geiseltal – Germany's largest artificial lake, created from the former Geiseltal open-cast lignite mine. The town itself has only held its town charter since 1996; accordingly, the town festival is not a centuries-old tradition but a lively, evolving community celebration that fills the central Postplatz every summer. Amusement rides, live stages, food stalls, and a trade fair featuring local businesses combine the character of a Volksfest (public festival) with local commerce.

Program Highlights

The festival typically runs for three days, from Friday to Sunday. The traditional highlights are the torchlight procession on Friday evening and the demonstration by the volunteer fire brigade on Saturday afternoon – both are fixed program points that link the festival with the town's active club life. The stage features a mix of cover bands, Schlager artists, and show programs; the exact program for 2026 will be published by the town administration in spring. Associations can apply to participate, and catering stands also apply – the festival remains organized by and for the citizens of Braunsbedra.

Braunsbedra in the Saalekreis

Braunsbedra is located in the Saalekreis district in the south of the state of Saxony-Anhalt, about 30 kilometers west of Halle (Saale) and 15 kilometers west of Merseburg. The town was formed in 1934 from the villages of Braunsdorf and Bedra (hence the name) and grew into an industrial town due to the lignite mining. After the end of mining in 1993, Lake Geiseltal developed into a tourist attraction – now with lidos, a marina, and cycle paths. The town festival adapts to this change: industrial history and new leisure culture in one.