Saxony-Anhalt lives from its history and its festivals - from Baroque poetry to the pulse of contemporary music. 2026 will be a year full of highlights: a century of Bauhaus in Dessau, a new cultural landmark in Quedlinburg and a rich palette of classical, historical and popular festivals.
Don't Miss Out: The Highlights 2025/2026
100 Years of Bauhaus Dessau
100 years ago, the Bauhaus moved from Weimar to Dessau - and permanently changed the history of architecture and design. What makes the Bauhaus special is its radical approach: art, craftsmanship and technology were to be combined, design was to be functional, clear and at the same time socially effective. It was in Dessau that this idea was first conceived and built on a grand scale - with the iconic Bauhaus building, the Masters' Houses and a reformist educational approach that continues to have an impact today.
This anniversary will be celebrated in 2026 with an extensive program. Under the motto "On the substance", the focus will be on modern and contemporary materials: glass, concrete, metal - but also algae, rubble and CO₂. Exhibitions, readings, workshops and guided tours take place at original locations throughout the year. The Bauhaus Festival in September transforms the city into a stage for performances, installations and discussions. Those who get involved in the anniversary year will experience the Bauhaus not as a retrospective, but as an open space for thought - alive, challenging, present.
Opening of the Stiftsberg Ensemble Quedlinburg
Quedlinburg is a UNESCO World Heritage Site - not only because of its old town, but also because of the Stiftsberg. A new ensemble will open here in 2026: a place that preserves and retells history. A cultural anchor point will be created between the Romanesque collegiate church, monastery grounds and museum spaces, bringing together sacred architecture, urban history and museum education. The opening will take place on 28.03.2026. One thing is certain: it will be a special moment for the city and for everyone interested in cultural history.
Annual event highlights
Between May and September, the Altmark Festival transforms special places in the region into stages. Churches, monasteries, gardens and industrial halls are transformed into sound spaces - often surprising, often very close. In 2026, the festival's motto is "Recognizing Happiness". It combines classical music, jazz, literature and new formats. One highlight is the jazz weekend at Jerichow Monastery.
The Havelberg Horse Market is a festival with a long history - and a firm place in many people's calendars. Every year at the beginning of September, the major event attracts around 200,000 visitors to the Hanseatic city on the Havel. Traders, showmen, horse breeders and curious visitors come together for four days. Handshaking horses, a fairground with rides, live music and fireworks at the end - it's all part of the fun.
Georg Philipp Telemann is considered one of the most prolific composers of the Baroque era. The Telemann Festival in his native city of Magdeburg is dedicated to his work and influence - with operas, chamber music, lectures and city walks. The focus is on compositions written for ruling houses, church celebrations and social occasions. The program is complemented by lunchtime concerts, talks and educational events. In this way, Telemann's music can be heard anew - in the middle of the city.
Walpurgis Night is celebrated in many places around the Harz Mountains on April 30. Firelight, masks, music and fairy tales characterize this ancient custom, which combines the exorcism of winter with the welcoming of spring. The experience is particularly atmospheric on the witches' dance floor in Thale, on the Brocken or in small towns that are transformed into fantasy worlds for one night - mysterious, exuberant and open to encounters.
The King's Days in Quedlinburg bring the town's medieval history to life. Markets, music, costumes and theater transform squares into theaters. The historic town center becomes a stage for encounters with a time when kings ruled and towns were formed. A festival for families, history buffs and the curious.
Halle an der Saale celebrates George Frideric Handel with a festival that radiates far beyond the city. Operas, oratorios, concerts - performed by international ensembles and at special venues. The Handel Festival takes place every year in June. They combine musical excellence with openness: street music meets baroque orchestra, workshops meet introductions to works.
Magdeburg lights up during Advent and winter. Figures, trees and facades become part of the world of lights - an installation that combines art and the city. Magdeburg's old town becomes a projection surface for light design, Christmas markets and winter walks. An experience for all the senses - especially in the dark months.
Freyburg an der Unstrut is a wine village with tradition. At the winegrowers' festival in the fall, farms open their doors, cellars invite visitors to taste their wines and music fills the streets. If you like, you can combine the festival with the Wine Hiking Day: you walk through the vineyards on signposted paths - with views, encounters and conversations by the glass.
Historical festival with heart: "Luther's Wedding" in Wittenberg commemorates the year 1525, when Martin Luther married Katharina von Bora. For three days, the town becomes a stage: with a historical procession, crafts, music and scenes from everyday life during the Reformation. A celebration for the town - and for its guests.
Music Festivals in Saxony-Anhalt
Music meets landscape in Saxony-Anhalt. The Rockharz Festival brings metal and rock bands to the Harz Mountains, while Sputnik Spring Break on the Pouch peninsula near Bitterfeld focuses on electronic beats, young formats and festival energy by the lake. MDR Musiksommer combines classical music, jazz and crossover with special venues - from churches to castles, from parks to industrial halls.
The diversity of Saxony-Anhalt as a music region is also reflected in smaller, fine festivals: the SommerMusikAkademie Schloss Hundisburg brings together classical music and jazz with academic training. The IMPULS Festival focuses on experimental sound forms and contemporary compositions. The Altmark Music Festival brings music to the countryside - to villages, churches and courtyards.