The first program highlights have been released!

• The first 50 program highlights for the festival on August 29, 2026, in Chemnitz have been announced
• A wide range of artists, from Alexander Marcus to Mariybu and OK KID to Power Plush
• Exciting guests from the fields of society, culture, and activism, including Luisa Neubauer, Arne Semsrott, and Joseph “Nana Kwame” Awuah-Darko

In less than three months, it will be time for the fifth edition of the KOSMOS Festival Chemnitz. The first 50 program items have now been finalized. In addition to well-known music acts, visitors can once again look forward to a diverse program spanning society, arts, sports, and economy. The curatorial teams selected the first events from over 200 submissions from Chemnitz and across Germany. Many more projects and events will be announced in the coming weeks.

The first wave of the program

KOSMOS is all about encounters, exchange, and a city that shows attitude. In 2026, the festival will once again bring people together and create space for new perspectives.

Musically, the program ranges from indie and pop to rap and electronic music, all the way to experimental sounds. The lineup features established acts as well as exciting newcomers. Visitors can look forward to OK KID, Alexander Marcus, Mariybu, and SALÒ, among others. Also on the program are the Chemnitz-based band Power Plush, ok.danke.tschüss, 24/7 Diva Heaven, Mika Noé, Ceren, Nalya, beslik, herbst, Jiný Metro, sarah4k, and the experimental project Sonic Interventions. And of course, a secret act is a must in 2026 as well.

In addition to the music, the social program continues to grow. Already confirmed are Arne Semsrott, Joseph “Nana Kwame” Awuah-Darko, Luisa Neubauer, and Ramona Wuttig. They will offer perspectives on topics such as democracy, activism, culture, and social cohesion. Panels and discussions will focus on digital participation, political debates, and personal experiences. Formats such as “Digital Tools and Democratic Participation: Who Gets a Say?”, “Between Elections,” and “Who Decides Who You Can Be?” invite attendees to think along and join the discussion.

In the art section, visitors can expect installations, workshops, and performances. Topics such as artificial intelligence, technology, and social change are explored in projects like “Automating Empathy” or “Between Power and Myth – A Critical Assessment of Current AI Narratives.”

Sports and exercise also remain an integral part of the festival: community basketball at “TOGETHER WE BALL,” hands-on handball activities, cornhole, techno yoga, Zumba, and the open dance competition “Salsatón” invite visitors to join in.

Another new addition is the Business Hub. Together with the Industrieverein Sachsen 1828 e.V., the IHK Chemnitz, the Handwerkskammer Chemnitz, and the European Capital of Culture Chemnitz 2025 gGmbH, the City of Chemnitz is offering a new participation format for businesses.

The Festival

KOSMOS brings together music, art, society, and participatory creation. The central question is: “How do we want to live in the future?” Together with numerous participants, formats are being created that invite reflection, participation, and networking.

Following the successful European Capital of Culture year with 115,000 guests, KOSMOS returns on Saturday, August 29, 2026, with new ideas, new perspectives, and new energy.

This time, the festival area will stretch between Hartmannplatz, Schmidtbankpassage, and Kaßbergauffahrt. The streets An der Markthalle and Fabrikstraße, the Hartmannfabrik, the Hartmannhalle, schools, and surrounding green spaces will also be part of the festival. The new area offers plenty of space for new formats and exciting developments.

As always, KOSMOS remains free for everyone.

Together with numerous partners, the team is already working on further highlights, which will be unveiled in the coming weeks.