Our festival works cashless – this means, all purchases are done with the festival wristband. You will pay with it for all drinks, food, merchandise or our Showerworlds. The only exception to this is the parking fee, which is charged at the entrance to the festival site.

How does it work?

At our wristband exchange stations, you will receive your festival wristband in which the chip for cashless payment is integrated.

If you have already done the pre top up via the online shop, your credits will automatically end up on the wristband. That's why it's important that you really go to the wristband exchange with your own ticket!

If you haven't topped up your credit yet, the next step will take you to a top-up station. There you can load your credit onto the wristband in cash and with all major cards (EC or credit card) in just a few steps: You choose the amount, pay it by card or cash and hold your wristband to the appropriate contact point. It is advisable not to top up amounts that are too small, it is better to charge slightly higher amounts once or twice and then have the remaining credit paid out free of charge after the festival.

What happens to my data on the wristband chip?

Your chip on the festival wristband is used exclusively for payment transactions at the festival. No personal data is stored on it, neither do we collect any movement data.

Why do we do this?

As mentioned above: Almost everything nowadays is paid without cash. It is convenient and easy and fast payment is also a great advantage at the festival:

• Fast payment shortens waiting times

• Losing cash is a thing of the past

• There is no longer a need to carry a wallet

• Without cash, there is no need to recount change

High transparency: All your transactions are traceable. Immediately after a transaction, the sales staff will be able to show you the debited amounts and the remaining balance on your wristband.

It is possible to top up the credit on the wristband everywhere, even before the festival in the online shop

How do I proceed on the festival?

With your wristband you can now pay for everything you need during the festival routine. Not only in the festival arena, but also on the campsite, which means that you can also use it to pay for the use of Showerworld.

If you are no longer sure how much credit you have on your wristband, you can have it checked at all points of sale and top-up stations.

What do I do, if my wristband does not work or if I lose it?

This doesn't actually happen, but if it does, then you should make your way to our support staff as soon as possible. You can get their help at the festival info point (please see festival map).

How does it work with the remaining credit after the festival?

Remaining credit can be transferred to your account free of charge a few days AFTER the festival*. You will just need your personal number on the cashless-chip on your festival-wristband and a bank account. Your remaining balance will be credited to your account within a few days. The e-mail address for questions about refund is: cashless@sonnemondsterne.de

* There will be no payout at the festival

COME TO THE BEACH

Address:

Festivalwiese, Wetteraweg, 07929 Saalburg-Ebersdorf

Coordinates:

50.507699, 11.721522‎

+50° 30' 27.72", +11° 43' 17.48"

If you come by train: Your destination is Bad Lobenstein. Our Shuttle busses bring you to the venue. 

Shuttle from Campingplatz "Superleise" Pöritzsch to Festival Venue: 

Thursday 10 am to Sunday 8:30 am constantly

The SMS festival area is a sensitive landscape that deserves protection. Please respect the nature and keep the following points in mind: 

Save Your Beach - Glas ban at SMS.Festival

Many of you are thrilled every year by the great location of the SMS. And so you can certainly understand that the protection of our festival site is a constant concern. Thus, from this year, there will be a strict glass ban both on the festival grounds and on the campground.

On the one hand, we are forced to comply with this step, on the other hand, we support this measure, since the elimination of glass breakage is always a difficult task and most of all injuries are cuts by broken glass.

Please adhere to this new but required rule, which also applies to nutella, sour cucumbers or gooseberries. There will definitely be checks at the entrance, as well as at the campsite.

As an alternative to glass bottles, drinks can be transferred to appropriate plastic bottles.

How much do I have to pay for camping?
Nothing. Camping is included in the ticket price

Which camping field is the loudest and which one is quiet?
To give respect to all of our festival-goers, we separated our camping fields into a loud and a quiet part. On the loud camping field you can party all around the clock, while on the quiet one you can enjoy almost spiritual silence. Thus, we kindly ask you to respect this separation

What are the opening hours of the camping fields?
Our camping fields open on Wednesday morning and close on Monday morning. During this period the camping ground will stay open all the time

Can I park my car alongside the tent?
You can bring your car onto the camping fields. Please note that the louder one (A) usually fills up pretty fast.

Can I get connections to water and electricity for my camper?
No, sorry. The fields are only used for camping during our festival. Therefore there are no camping facilities like water and electricity connection. 

Can I bring food and Drinks?
Yes, on the camp ground, but not on the venue.

Can I grill, bbq?
Yes, but please take care all the time, especially using grill lighters and camping stoves. Open fires are strictly forbidden. 

Are there shower an the camping ground?
Yes, plenty of them. Please check our map where to find them. You will also get potable water there. 

Medical Aid
You will get medical help at the first aid service next to the main entrance.

Lost and Found Infopoint
Got any questions? Get answers at out ticket check-in next to “Kasse 1”, which is also our lost&found station.

By entering the festival you agree that photos and videos taken at the event can be used for promotional purposes.

Short Camping Guide

Toilets … we have hundreds of portaloos. They are cleaned twice a day

Real toilets … there are „real“ toilets in our shower worlds. You can use them against a fee  

Showers … there are 5 shower-worlds, please see our map where to find them. 

Power … there are no power outlets anywhere. You will find power for your hairdrier in our shower worlds 

Power for your smartphone … you can rent power stations for your camp. Please look for plugin “Strom am Zelt” close to the main entrance

Water … you can get potable water at our shower worlds

Bathing … during the day, no problem. 

Lockers … to be found near the main entrance.

ATM  … there will be no ATM on the Venue. The next one is located in Saalburg.

WiFi … not available

Madical aid … Next to the main entrance

Fire dept. … Next to the main entrance. Or call 112

Police … to be found at the festival entrance

Lost & Found … at our ticket check-in next to “Kasse 1”

Food … at the main entrance and on the venue

Waste … you´ll find our waste collectors at the shower worlds. You´ll get your deposit back there. Every visitor gets refunded with only ONE deposit.

Please pay attention to our parking staff

In exercising their authority over the premises, the organizer or site staff are entitled to refuse entry to individuals or expel them from the site if deemed necessary to maintain safety and order on the festival campsite and in the interest of camping guests.

Instructions given by the festival organizer’s staff and security personnel must be followed at all times and without objection. Revocation of camping and parking privileges is equivalent to a ban from the premises and also invalidates the right to enter the event itself.

– The temporary camping and parking area is open from 10:00 a.m. on August 5, 2026, until 10:00 a.m. on August 10, 2026. During this period, the camping and parking area may be accessed by motor vehicles, motorhomes, and caravans weighing up to 4.6 tonnes. Payment of the parking and camping fee at the toll point authorizes access to these temporary areas.

– The use of sound systems of any kind is prohibited in the "SUPERLEISE" (Super Quiet) camping area in Pöritzsch. Noise emissions exceeding 50 dB must be avoided entirely.

– Use of all facilities, paths, roads, areas, and structures within the camping and parking site is at one's own risk.

– The organizer assumes no liability for damage, soiling, accidents, theft, or loss regarding the property of site visitors.

– Removing or relocating barrier tape and its support systems is prohibited. A safety distance from tents that have already been set up must be maintained.

– The maximum camping area occupied by one vehicle and one tent per person must not exceed 16 square meters. Reservations are not possible, and saving spaces for friends will not be tolerated.

– All emergency access routes must be kept clear for the fire department, the Red Cross, and emergency medical services. A clearance of 2 meters from the roadway must be maintained. – Vehicles parked illegally will be towed at the owner's expense. Minimum fee: €200.

– Vehicles may only be driven on the site roads at walking pace (5 km/h). Unregistered vehicles are not permitted on the premises.

– Car washing, oil changes, and repairs are strictly prohibited in the camping and parking areas.

– Permission to use sound systems and generators in the camping and parking areas is not granted. Care must be taken to ensure that local residents and other guests in the vicinity are not disturbed.

– Grilling and frying are permitted only at designated fire pit areas. The use of gas stoves is prohibited. A safety zone must be maintained between the camping area and the edge of the forest; parking or encroaching upon this zone is forbidden.

– Campfires and open fires of any kind are not permitted. Pressurized gas containers—such as propane or CO2 cylinders—are prohibited, as is bringing or using dry ice.

– Setting off fireworks or pyrotechnics in the camping and parking areas is strictly prohibited. Burning waste will be reported to the authorities and prosecuted.

– Hazardous situations (e.g., fires) must be reported immediately in the interest of all visitors.

– Bringing, using, or breaking glass bottles and containers is strictly prohibited throughout the camping and parking areas.

– Campers must keep their own pitch clean. Waste must be collected in bags and disposed of in the designated dumpsters or waste stations. Abandoning or dumping trash and household items is strictly prohibited.

– Damaging or altering the flora and fauna — for example, by digging trenches or holes, or destroying vegetation — is strictly prohibited.

– Bringing dogs or pets of any kind is generally not permitted.

– Polluting the lake with trash, waste, oils, cosmetics, or human waste is strictly prohibited.

– Free drinking water is available to all festival attendees at the sanitary facilities and shower stations. Water is a precious resource; please use it sparingly!

– And finally, the most important point! In our “SMS Festival Universe,” we do not tolerate right-wing extremist, left-wing extremist, or otherwise radical and discriminatory views, chants, or behaviors. Anyone who fails to comply goes straight home!

Respect LGBTQ+

What is the fee for parking?
For each car a fee of 50 € has to be paid. The parking of greater vehicles like caravan, car with trailer and minibuses costs 70 € per each. 

What are the opening hours?
The car park opens on Wednesday at 10 am and closes on Monday morning. In this period it will remain open all the time. Please respect our position advisers!

Is one-day-parking possible?
For all guests with a day ticket, please follow the signs for "Tagesparkplatz" (one-day-parking space) … camping is not permitted there, parking only!

Can I bring my foto camera to the venue?
Generally, you are free to bring your small camera for snapshots. However it is not allowed to bring professional equipment that can be used for audio and video recording. We have to point that all kinds of recording are strictly forbidden. We kindly ask you to respect the rights of the artists.

Please note that it is up to our security personnel to decide whether your camera is professional equipment or not. Please accept their decision and keep in mind that they are probably are no "foto-pros".

What can I take with me to the festival area/venue?
Larger backpacks and bulky things such as baskets and cooler bags, large women's handbags are not permitted.
Fanny packs, as well as jute & gym bags (approx. A4 format) are allowed.

What is the distance between the camping ground and the entrance to the venue?
All camping fields and car parks are located alongside the venue and you can go by foot. Bus shuttles are not necessary for this reason.

Are there special facilities for visitors with disabilities?
There are several accessible restrooms for visitors with disabilities. Accessible flush toilets and showers are also available at Shower Island 1. Accompanying persons (with entry B on their ID card) receive free entry to the festival. Please report to Ticket Office 1.

Where can I find medical aid?
In case of emergency you´ll find the First Aid Service next to the Main Entrance.

Do I have to pay for re-entrance, camping?
Your festival ticket is – almost – all-inclusive. Once you've exchanged your ticket for a festival wristband, you can enter and leave the festival grounds whenever you want. Camping is automatically included with your ticket; a one-time parking fee per vehicle will be charged on-site.

Which camping field is closer to the venue?
The louder one is a bit closer to the venue.

When does the festival begin and when does it end?
The festival starts on Friday at 6 p.m. and ends on Sunday at 4 p.m.

Will the venue stay open all the time?
Generally the venue stays open around the clock. On Saturday noon we will close the area partly to clean it. The beach and bars remain open all time.

How about age restrictions?
According to legal requirements for all events, on SonneMondSterne minors under the age of 16 and under 18 must bring a responsible adult in order to stay at the venue after midnight.

Is there a Bus Shuttle from the festival to the train station?
If you travel by train, our charge-free shuttle bus will take you on Sunday from the SMS festival site to the stations of Bad Lobenstein and Neustadt/Orla and the bus station of Schleiz.
Information concerning the timetable will be published in the Latest Infos.

A single visit at the SMS.Showerworld costs 5 €. There’s a SMS.Showerworld-Flatrate which allows the unlimited usage of the SMS.Showerworld during the complete festival weekend for 20 €. The flat rate can easily be purchased in the SMS shop or from the employee at the Showerworld entrance.

SAVE YOUR BEACH

Glass ban

Please respect the strict glass ban both on the festival grounds and on the campground.

On the one hand, we are forced to comply with this step, on the other hand, we support this measure, since the elimination of glass breakage is always a difficult task and most of all injuries are cuts by broken glass.

Waste disposal and avoidance

Saalburg and its beach are undoubtedly some of the most beautiful places in the republic. And that should remain so please! Help us to reduce the amount of garbage and keep the campsite clean! Slightly more sustainability when celebrating does no harm and is feasible for everyone with just a little effort.

What you can do:

• Dispose of your waste
• Dispose of it in the right places
• Possibly. brought household goods, you take with you on departure please again
• Keep your own camp clean - who likes to party in the trash?
• Cleaning the camping areas without residue is one of our biggest tasks. Especially small-scale garbage makes this difficult.
• Please refrain from confetti and discarded cigarette butts (after extinction) in the trash.
• Please do not let us forget the environment when celebrating. We owe it to Saalburg, the agricultural companies that manage the camping grounds for the rest of the year, and above all, we owe it to ourselves and our claim to a reasonably civilized celebration.

Garbage Deposit (Müllpfand)

How does the garbage deposit works?
Garbage return Friday/Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Garbage stations located at all shower installations. You will get your garbage deposit back if you

1. have paid the garbage deposit and 

2. the returned garbage bag is at least 3/4 full. 

Raffle tickets are not entitled to a garbage deposit. Every visitor gets refunded with only ONE deposit.

Celebrate in moderation and stay mindful!

Know your limits and celebrate responsibly; take breaks and drink plenty of water. Keep an eye on your drinks and avoid accepting drinks from strangers. Look out for one another and treat everyone with respect—we want all guests to feel comfortable and safe at SMS.

Have you experienced discrimination, sexual assault, or threats of violence?

Speak to our staff at any time—security, bar staff, or the medics at the Red Cross/Awareness Space. Use the code word "PANAMA" if you need immediate help without having to explain the situation.
Our staff will assist you, and a trained team will provide support in a safe area.

No one nearby?

Dial 112 and share your location using W3W (what3words)! W3W assigns three simple words to your location that you can give to the emergency dispatch center. This allows
emergency services to locate you as quickly as possible.

Install W3W (what3words.com) on your phone or use it directly within our SMS app.

Have you seen discriminatory content or prohibited symbols at the festival?

Please report this as soon as possible to Box Office 1 (Wristband Exchange) so we can take immediate action.

Please follow the instructions of our staff.

• The safest place is your car.
• Please avoid places like tents, trees and water in case of storm. The tents on the festival site will be closed then.
• Emergency exits will be advised by our staff.
• In case of storm the organizers are allowed to interrupt or to stop the program.

Please help the people around you!

Are you 16 or 17 years old? Then you may only visit the SMS if accompanied by an adult and with a parental consent form completed by your parents. Generally, both you and we must comply with the Youth Protection Act. You can download the parental consent form here.

SMS.XXVIII 2026 Parental Consent (German)

What technology do I need for the virtual SMS?

You can have a great experience in our worlds with devices running operating systems such as Windows 11, macOS 12, iOS 17, and Android 12 or higher.
Devices that do not support these operating systems can also work, but the experience on our virtual SMS may be limited due to lower performance.
The most comprehensive experience is with current smartphones or a PC/notebook.

Another recommendation for the internet connection:
Using a fast internet connection with unlimited data is advantageous for quick loading times and an optimal experience on our platform.

Technical Note: Disable Power Saving Mode on Mobile Devices

To ensure a complete experience including live streaming, please turn off the power saving mode on all mobile devices (especially on Apple products with the iOS operating system).