# Highfield Festival hiatus and relocation debate > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/highfield-festival-hiatus-and-relocation-debate > Updated: 2026-08-15T08:21:44.000Z. Sources: 22. Developments: 3. The Highfield Festival, Saxony’s largest rock and pop event, announced that its 2024 edition at the Störmthaler See near Leipzig would be its last for the time being. Organisers Semmel Concerts and FKP Scorpio cited a sharp rise in operating costs—around a 45–50% increase since the pre-COVID era—and a drop in visitor numbers as reasons to place the festival on a “creative pause” until at least 2027. A week later, the Junge Union of Thuringia, led by Lennart Geibert, urged that the festival be moved back to its original home in Thuringia. The youth wing argued that the event’s absence creates a cultural void for young people and harms the local tourism economy. It called for negotiations between the festival’s organisers and state authorities to explore a financially sustainable venue in Thuringia, citing the potential to attract roughly 30,000 visitors annually. The 2024 farewell edition, featuring acts such as Kraftklub and the Beatsteaks, expected approximately 28,000 attendees. The event’s decline follows years of logistical challenges, including land-use conflicts and a 2022 Ferris wheel fire that injured 16 people, which remains under investigation by the Leipzig public prosecutor's office. In August 2026, the festival held its final edition at Störmthaler See, drawing approximately 28,000 attendees. This event marked the end of a nearly 30-year history for the festival. While the event served as a farewell for fans and performers, the conclusion was shaped by rising costs for artists and logistics, as well as ongoing land-use considerations involving the Helmholtz-Zentrum in the region. ## Claims - The Schalmeien- und Guggenspektakel event achieved a small profit rather than a loss. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Approximately 800 visitors attended the Schalmeien- und Guggenspektakel in Hofwiesenpark on August 8. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Caterer Culinarium Thieme donated 500 euros to the Gera-Mitte Volunteer Fire Department. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Schalmeien- und Guggenspektakel is planned to be repeated in August 2027. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Schalmeien- und Guggenspektakel event did not break even but resulted in a small profit. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Approximately 800 people attended the Schalmeien- und Guggenspektakel in Hofwiesenpark on August 8. (corroborated by 2 sources) - Caterer Andreas Thieme donated 500 euros to the Gera-Mitte Volunteer Fire Department for their support. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Steinweg-Verein has launched a GoFundMe campaign to fund the children's festival on September 20, 2026. (corroborated by 2 sources) - The Brancusi exhibition at the Neue Nationalgalerie reached a record of over 320,000 visitors. (single source) - Fujiko Nakaya’s mist sculpture in the sculpture garden will remain available until the end of October 2026. (single source) - The Brancusi exhibition at the Neue Nationalgalerie drew over 320,000 visitors. (single source) - Fujiko Nakaya's mist sculpture installation will remain in the sculpture garden until the end of October 2026. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-15: Highfield Festival holds final edition at Störmthaler See The Highfield Festival concluded its nearly 30-year history with a final event at Störmthaler See, attended by 28,000 people, citing rising production costs as the reason for its closure. 10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/wiesbaden-kurpark-hosts-inaugural-sunset-sound-festival ### 2026-07-23: Junge Union pushes for Highfield festival's return to Thuringia Thuringia’s Junge Union urges the Highfield music festival to return from Saxony, citing cultural importance and tourism benefits and calling for talks on a sustainable venue. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/junge-union-pushes-for-highfield-festivals-return-to-thuringia ### 2026-07-16: Highfield Festival to Hold Final Edition Amid Rising Costs Highfield Festival near Leipzig will hold its final edition in August 2024 as rising costs and lower attendance force a multi‑year creative pause. 11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/highfield-festival-to-hold-final-edition-in-august-as-rising-costs-force-closure --- Cite as: Highfield Festival hiatus and relocation debate. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/highfield-festival-hiatus-and-relocation-debate