Walterra Ska & Reggae Festival

Ska and Reggae by the Swimming Lake

The Walterra Festival has a unique reputation in the Ska and Reggae scene of Central Germany: small, family-friendly, with water right on the doorstep. It takes place over four days at the Mondsee near Hohenmölsen, a former open-cast lignite mine lake in the Burgenlandkreis district, now used as a local recreation area. Those who come here aren't looking for mass crowds – but rather Dub sets under the starry sky, sauna sessions by the water, and a program where Caribbean, Balkan, and hippie vibes blend together.

Musically, the festival covers a wide range. Ska, Reggae, Rocksteady, Dub, Offbeat, and Balkan – with bands from Germany, England, France, the Czech Republic, and Poland. Confirmed acts for 2026 include Dr. Ring Ding, The Valkyrians, Skarface, Martin Jondo, Meta & The Cornerstones, Makatumbe, Tschebberwooky, Kombo Kalèsch, Che Sudaka, and many more. The lineup will be released gradually, with the final program usually available in early summer.

What makes Walterra special is the combination of music and lifestyle. Workshops (dance, yoga, acrobatics), a sauna wagon located directly on the shore, a family area with children's activities, and of course, the lake itself, where you can swim between sets. Camping is standard, and the weather at the end of August is usually mild – a festival that works perfectly right where it's located.

Hohenmölsen is located in southern Saxony-Anhalt, near the border with Saxony and Thuringia. The Mondsee is a small, former open-cast mine lake, nestled in the recreation area between Weißenfels and Zeitz. From the festival grounds, you have views of the water and vineyards – the Saale-Unstrut region begins just a few kilometers away.