Highlights from KOSMOS 2026
Over the weekend of 29 August, 75,000 residents of Chemnitz and visitors from all over the world celebrated KOSMOS. One of the most significant democracy festivals in the German-speaking world welcomed headliners such as 01099, Alexander Marcus, Luisa Neubauer and Tara-Louise Wittwer, as well as over 250 other events spanning music, society, sport and business, bringing together pop culture, art, debate and participation – and turning the city itself into a stage.
The festival area stretched between Hartmannfabrik, Hartmannplatz and Kaßbergauffahrt: whether it was salsa in the Hartmannhalle car park, podcasts on the Flixbus or a pop-up late-night shop, there was something new, colourful and exciting to discover on every corner.
The City of Chemnitz organised the KOSMOS Festival for the first time in 2026. This year’s programme was once again organised under the auspices of ‘Chemnitz 2025 – European Capital of Culture’ gGmbH. Furthermore, the established structures – in particular stakeholders from local and supra-regional cultural organisations, institutions and associations – continue to support and facilitate the implementation of KOSMOS.
