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. Balances of under 2,01 € cannot not be refunded. 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. 

FAQ – Important Things to Know
 

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

The organizer respectively the ground staff are authorized to execute their domiciliary rights, to refuse to admit persons or to expel them from the campsite, if this appears necessary to maintain safety and order on the festival campsite and in the interests of the camping guests.

The festival organizer's staff and security staff must be always obeyed and without objection. The Withdrawal of the camping and parking permit is equivalent to a ban from the premises and will no longer entitle the holder to enter the event. 

• The temporary camping/parking lot is open from 7 AUG 10 am - 12 AUG 10 am. During this time motor vehicles, motorhomes and caravans up to 4.6 tons, may use the camping/parking area. Payment of the parking and camping fee at the toll booth entitles you to drive on the temporary areas.

• Camping is prohibited in the "Pöritzsch" day parking area. Use is only permitted for parking. Higher noise emissions above 50dB are to be avoided there.

• The use of all facilities, paths, roads, areas and structures of the campsite/parking lot is at your own risk.

• The organizer assumes no liability for damage, soiling, accidents, theft and loss of property belonging to visitors.

• Removing or moving the barrier tape and its holding systems is prohibited. The safety distance to the tents which have already been set up must be maintained.

• The maximum area occupied by one vehicle and tent per person must not exceed 16 sqm. Reservations are not possible, and places kept free for friends will not be tolerated.

• All escape routes must be kept clear for access by the fire department, the Red Cross or the emergency doctor. A distance of 2m from the roadway must be maintained.

• Illegally parked vehicles will be towed away for a fee. Fee 200,-€

• All vehicles may only drive on the site paths at walking pace (5 km/h). Vehicles without a license are not permitted on the site.

• Car washes, oil changes and repairs are strictly prohibited on the campsite/parking lot.

•  

  There are no permits for the use of music systems and generators on the camping and parking lot area. Care must be taken to ensure that residents and other guests in the vicinity are not disturbed.

• Barbecuing and frying is permitted under the supervision of the fire pit. Gas stoves must not be used. The safety area to the edge of the forest must be maintained and may not be parked on or crossed.

   

• Campfires and open fires of any kind are not permitted. Pressurized gas containers such as propane or CO2 bottles are prohibited, as well as the use of dry ice.

   

• The burning of fireworks and pyrotechnics in the camping and parking lot area is strictly prohibited. The burning of garbage will be reported to the police and prosecuted.

   

• Any dangerous situations that arise, e.g. due to fire, must be reported immediately in the interests of all visitors.

   

• Bringing, using or destroying glass bottles and glass containers is strictly prohibited in the entire camping and parking lot area.

   

• Your own camping pitch must be kept clean. Garbage must be collected in bags and disposed of in the designated garbage containers/garbage stations. Leaving behind or dumping garbage and household items is strictly prohibited.

   

• Damaging or altering the flora and fauna, e.g. by digging trenches, holes or destroying plants, is strictly prohibited.

   

• Bringing dogs and pets of any kind is generally not permitted.

   

• The pollution of the lake with garbage, waste, oils, cosmetics and faeces is strictly prohibited.

   

• Free drinking water is available to all festival participants at the sanitary facilities/shower islands. Water is a precious commodity, please use it sparingly!

   

• The most important thing at the end! We do not tolerate right-wing extremists, left-wing extremists or any other radical and discriminatory views, chants or behavior in our "SMS-Festival-Universe". Anyone who does not comply will go home immediately! Respect LGBTQ!

What is the fee for parking?
For each car a fee of 30 € has to be paid. The parking of greater vehicles like caravan, car with trailer and minibuses costs 50 € per each. 

What are the opening hours?
The car park opens on Wednesday at 10pm 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?
There is a car park nearby in Pöritzsch. Our shuttle bus runs from that car park to the venue and back frequently. On AUG 9 and 10 2024 from 3 pm to 8 am.

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.

Facilities for disabled people
There are two adapted toilets on the festival site. Companions of disabled people get free entrance.

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?
Tickets are almost all inclusive and we do not want to charge you with any hidden costs. The share of camping you can find on the ticket. The only exception is a fee of 30 € for each car and 50 € for each caravan, car with trailer and minibus

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 4 €. 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.

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!

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).