Winterberg City Experience 2026 — 750 Years of Winterberg

Sauerland Celebrates 750 Years of Town Rights

Winterberg in the Hochsauerlandkreis turns 750 years old in 2026. This is the occasion for a special edition of the Winterberg City Experience, which will turn the city center into a festival zone from May 8th to 10th, 2026. Under the motto "One City — Many Worlds", the Sauerland winter sports capital will transform into a stage for the city, clubs, regional economy, and Olympic honors for three days. Free admission.

Olympic Reception Milano-Cortina 2026

A highlight that only a winter sports town can offer: On Saturday, May 9th, 2026, at 4:00 PM, Winterberg will welcome its Olympic medal winners from Milano-Cortina 2026. Confirmed athletes include:

• Gold: Laura Nolte & Deborah Levi (2-woman bobsleigh)
• Silver: Neele Schuten (Skeleton), Matthias Sommer (4-man bobsleigh)
• Bronze: Jacqueline Pfeiffer (Skeleton, twice), Hannah Neise (Skeleton)

With its bobsleigh track and winter sports academy, Winterberg is a hub for German bobsleigh and skeleton sports. Several of the athletes have Winterberg roots or train here regularly.

The Queen Kings — Saturday Evening Open-Air

Musical highlight on Saturday, May 9th, at 8:00 PM: The tribute band The Queen Kings will perform an open-air concert on the market square – Queen hits against the Sauerland backdrop, free admission, classic stadium sound on a small-town stage.

Detailed Program

Friday, May 8th, 2026

• 6:30 PM Official opening ceremony with Mayor Michael Beckmann
• Welcome of partner city delegations, especially Le Touquet-Paris-Plage – 60 years of city friendship
• 8:00 PM Party band R.A.D.I.O. 80 on the market square
• Historical photo rally in the shop windows of the city center

Saturday, May 9th, 2026

• 12:00 PM Alphorn Echo Sauerland (Live)
• 1:30 PM Davina Sauer — Comedy/Poetry
• 2:30 PM Children's Outdoor Cinema
• 3:15 PM Interactive history presentation: 750 Years of Town Rights
• 4:00 PM Olympic reception for Winterberg's medal winners
• 8:00 PM The Queen Kings — Open-air concert

Sunday, May 10th, 2026 (Mother's Day)

• 10:00 AM Catholic festival mass (Mother's Day)
• 11:00 AM Brunch with Hasley musicians
• 1:00 PM Street dance performances
• 4:00 PM Breylsker Big Band — Festival finale

Themed Worlds of the City Center

Several themed worlds have been set up within the town festival, each with its own focus:

• Car Mile – regional car dealers present vehicles
• Trade Exhibition (GEWI) – local crafts and services
• Blue Light World – fire department and THW (Technical Relief Agency) emergency vehicles
• Children's and Adventure World – XXL bobsleigh slide, fire department bouncy castle, sandbox, fashion show, T-shirt printing
• Club and Volunteer World
• Shopping World – Sunday shopping (local businesses)
• Sports World
• Gourmet World

Winterberg — Capital of Winter Sports in the Sauerland

Winterberg in the Hochsauerlandkreis, with its 13,500 inhabitants, is one of North Rhine-Westphalia's best-known small towns – home to the bobsleigh track, ski slopes, and ski jump. The town received its town charter in 1276 – making 2026 the 750th anniversary. The City Experience becomes a special edition with honors, concerts, and themed worlds throughout the city center.