Highfield Festival announces hiatus due to rising costs

The Highfield Festival, Saxony’s largest rock and pop event held at Störmthaler See near Leipzig, has announced a “creative pause” starting in 2027. Organizers Semmel Concerts and FKP Scorpio stated that the festival is no longer economically viable in its current form.

Economic pressures are cited as the primary cause, with costs for personnel, materials, energy, and artist fees rising by approximately 45 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels. Some artist fees have reportedly tripled. Additionally, rising living costs have impacted attendance, which recently dropped to around 28,000 visitors from a previous peak of 35,000.

The hiatus is intended to allow organizers to develop a new concept for the event. The festival has been held in Großpösna since 2010, following a move from Thuringia.