Steinberg Festival Hettstedt

Mansfelder Metal — loud, honest, unpretentious

While the German festival scene typically features big names like Wacken, Hurricane, and Rock am Ring, it's worth looking at the smaller, independent festivals in the provinces. In the Mansfelder Land region of the Mansfeld-Südharz district (Saxony-Anhalt), the Steinberg Festival has established itself as a Rock and Metal weekend that scores with a consistently grounded attitude. The organisers themselves put it this way: «Not perfect, but authentic and with full passion!» — and it's precisely this mix of self-deprecating honesty and uncompromising sound that makes the festival so appealing.

Lineup 2026 — no mainstream, no claim to gloss

Every year, the booking team brings a mix of regional Metal stars, Trash/Punk acts, and curious genre hybrids to the mic. For 2026, the lineup includes Sloppy Joes, V8 Wankers, Konfetti Cocktail, Fat Mull, Temper, Mandragora Titania, Hammer of Daemons, In Death Erence, Fallen Culture, and Benni Schurtz — the range spans from Stoner Rock and Punk to Death Metal and medieval Metal hybrids.

The supporting program — where Rock festival meets summer playground

What makes the Steinberg Festival special, besides the music, is its supporting program. The XXL water slide, over 30 metres long, has competitive rankings. During Bieryoga, festival-goers practice their first asanas with a beer bottle instead of a yoga mat. The Flunkyball tournament provides afternoon drinking games with a competitive edge. Add to this the classic Frühschoppen (morning pint) with bratwurst and beer, street food stalls, and the typical camping spirit of such festivals.

Camping and Weekend Ticket

The weekend ticket including camping is significantly cheaper than at large genre festivals — for €45 (instead of the regular €50), you get the full three-day experience. This clearly positions the Steinberg Festival as a festival for fans seeking subculture rather than high gloss.

Hettstedt — the Copper City

Hettstedt itself is a small town in the Mansfelder Land with a long mining and copper smelting tradition. It was once home to the Mansfeld Kombinat, and in 1785, the first steam engine on the European mainland was put into operation here. The terrain around the Steinberg (Stone Mountain) is scenically suited for an open-air festival — rolling hills, forests, and wide views over the Mansfelder Land.

For whom?

For anyone looking for a Metal festival without the patina of the festival industry. Its small size fosters a family spirit, and the lineup ensures the right level of loudness. If you've experienced Wacken and long for «more gut feeling, less crowds» — Hettstedt is the place to be.