This Is Ska Festival Roßlau

Three Decades of Ska at a Medieval moated castle

When you say Ska in Germany, you say Roßlau. Since 1997, a small group of enthusiasts has been organizing the annual This Is Ska Festival on the grounds of the medieval Wasserburg Roßlau – a 13th-century Renaissance complex in the heart of the twin city of Dessau-Roßlau. What began as a one-off summer concert has become a firmly established platform over the years: at the end of June, bands, labels, fanzines, and fans from all over Europe travel to the Wittenberg north, at the mouth of the Mulde river, for three days.

The festival's strength lies in its programming: there's no arbitrary selection here, but a curated cross-section of all shades of Ska – from the classic Jamaican Original Ska of the 60s to Two-Tone and Skapunk, right up to contemporary Reggae and Dub. With two stages, a good 2,500 visitors per day, and over 30 acts in total, the festival remains large enough to book international headliners and small enough to maintain the family atmosphere for which it is legendary.

30th Anniversary with Original Ska Legends

2026 will be a big celebration. With Doreen Shaffer – one of the last living voices of the original Jamaican Ska generation from the 60s – a true legend is coming to Roßlau. Also performing are The Aggrolites from Los Angeles, the British band Buster Shuffle, German Skapunk veterans OXO86, and King Django & The Butlers, who are celebrating their 40th stage anniversary with a special set.

Camping, moated castle backdrop, and community

What also defines This Is Ska is the combination of festival and gathering. Camping right next to the Wasserburg, a well-stocked merchandise area with record labels and fanzines, a food court with Jamaican, German, and Italian specialties – and beer from the Anhalt region, from light Pilsner to heavy Guinness. If you've been here three times, you'll know half the festival community by their first name.

Dessau-Roßlau, a district-free city in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, is easily accessible via the A9 motorway (Berlin–Leipzig). The Wasserburg is within walking distance of Roßlau train station. Anyone who loves Ska should mark the last weekend of June 2026 in their diary.