Cashless Payment
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
Arrival
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.
Camping
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 the answer at the Merchandising and Info Point. You lost or found something? Bring it or get it at the Merchandising.
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
… to be found near the main entrance.
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 merchandise point
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
Campsite Regulations
The organizer or the site staff are entitled to refuse to accept people or to expel them from the site if this appears necessary to maintain safety and order on the festival tent site and in the interests of the camping guests.
The staff of the festival organizer and its security staff must always be obeyed without objection. The withdrawal of the camping and parking permit is equivalent to a house ban and no longer entitles you to enter the event.
- The temporary campsite/car park is open from August 9th morning to August 13th evening. During this time, the campsite/parking lot may be accessed by motor vehicles, mobile homes and trailers up to 4.6 t. Payment of the parking and camping fee at the toll entitles you to drive on the temporary areas.
- The use of all facilities, paths, streets, areas and buildings of the campsite/car park is at your own risk.
- The organizer accepts no liability for damage, dirt, accidents, theft and loss of property belonging to site visitors.
- It is forbidden to remove or move the barrier tape and its holding systems. The safety distance to the tents that have already been set up must be observed.
- The maximum camping area with one vehicle and tent per person must not exceed 16 square meters. Reservations are not possible and we will not tolerate free seats for friends.
- All escape routes must be kept clear for the fire brigade, the Red Cross or the emergency doctor. A distance of 2 m to the roadway must be maintained.
- Illegally parked vehicles will be towed at the owner's expense. Fee €200
- All vehicles may only drive on the square at walking pace (5 km/h). Unauthorized vehicles are not allowed to enter 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 aggregates on the camping and parking area. It must be ensured that residents and other guests in the area are not disturbed.
- The use of music systems of any kind is prohibited in the "SUPERLEISE" camping area in Pöritzsch. Noise emissions above 50 dB should be completely avoided.
- Grilling and roasting is permitted under the supervision of the fireplace. Gas cookers should be avoided. The security area at the edge of the forest must be observed and may not be parked or crossed.
- Campfires and open fires of any kind are not permitted. Pressurized gas containers such as propane or CO2 bottles are prohibited, as is the use of dry ice.
- It is strictly forbidden to set off fireworks and pyrotechnics in the camping and parking area. The burning of rubbish will be reported and prosecuted.
- In the interests of all visitors, any dangerous situations that arise, e.g. due to fire, must be reported immediately.
- It is strictly forbidden to bring, use or destroy glass bottles and glass containers anywhere in the camping and parking area.
- Your own camping site is to be kept clean. Rubbish is to be collected in bags and disposed of in the rubbish containers/garbage stations provided. Leaving or dumping of rubbish is strictly prohibited.
- Damaging or changing the flora and fauna, e.g. by digging ditches, digging holes or destroying plants is strictly prohibited.
- Dogs and pets of any kind are generally not permitted.
- Pollution of the lake with rubbish, refuse, oils, toiletries 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 other radical and discriminatory views of life in our SMS universe. If you don't stick to it, you go home! Respect LGBTQ!
Parking
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 there day parking?
There is a day car park, it is located near the festival bus stop.
Venue
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.
SHOWER WORLDS
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
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.
Müllentsorgung und -vermeidung
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.
Müllpfand Garbage Deposit
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 each shower island and at the mobile garbage trucks as well. 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.
Behavior in case of storm
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!
Hardware Recommendation
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).