Between the Straussee and the Lausitzring, events and festivals in Brandenburg on October 3-4, 2026 blend sport, tradition and nature, from the Strausseelauf road race in Strausberg to the crane migration in the Oder Valley.
In the middle of Strausberg, at Fichteplatz square. That is where the Strausseelauf road race sets off around the Straussee lake on Saturday, October 3, 2026. Between the Straussee and the Lausitzring, events and festivals in Brandenburg on October 3-4, 2026 blend sport, tradition and nature, from the Strausseelauf road race in Strausberg to the crane migration in the Oder Valley.
The 90th edition around the Straussee
The Strausseelauf was first held in 1924 and ranks among the oldest continuously run road races in eastern Germany. In 2026 it reaches its 90th edition. Start and finish sit at the Theodor-Fontane-Gymnasium and on Fichteplatz square, while the course loops once around the lake that gives the town its name, along a shaded lakeside path suited to a fast time or a relaxed pace alike.
The date traditionally falls on German Unity Day. In 2026 that means Saturday, 10/03/2026. Thousands of runners and spectators travel to this small town east of Berlin every year, and registration on site opens at 7:30 am at the Theodor-Fontane-Gymnasium.
Five distances are on offer on 3.10.26: a children's dash, a schoolkids' race, plus 5 km, 10 km and a half marathon around the lake. The whole event is run by the Kultur- und Sportclub Strausberg.
Runners arriving without a car can take the S5 suburban line from Berlin Hauptbahnhof, a ride of about 40 minutes to Strausberg station. Registration closes on September 28 at 11:55 pm, though late sign-ups are still possible on race day itself.
Right alongside the race, the old town holds its own celebration. At the Altstadtfest Strausberg, stalls and live music at the Energie-Arena fill the historic centre, with food stands, a children's programme, and a parade to the Energie-Arena from 5:50 pm. Runners who cross the finish line can walk straight into the festival.
The rest of the weekend in Brandenburg
At Hoppegarten racecourse, October 3 brings the WETTSTAR.de Preis der Deutschen Einheit, a fixture on the German horse-racing calendar for 36 years. Gates open at noon and the first race starts at 2 pm, with a family programme and live music from the JEB Band. A day later, RTL2 films a live episode of GRIP – Das Motorevent at the DEKRA Lausitzring in Schipkau. From 9 am, drift shows, ride-alongs in racing taxis, an air show and an open drag race on the Grand Prix track follow one another, alongside a tuning expo. Tickets start at 19.15 euros.
In Potsdam's Volkspark, October 3 and 4 mark the 21st edition of the Historic Apple Festival, with a jousting tournament, a Viking camp and an apple and pear show. Admission costs 8 euros for adults and 3 euros for children. Nearby, the Neuer Lustgarten fills up too: the Oktobervolksfest Potsdam stays open daily from 2 pm until October 25. Rides, sideshows and beer tents make up the state capital's big autumn fair.
- On Oberkirchplatz in Cottbus, craftspeople and travelling traders open the 28th Lausitzer Herbstmarkt, from 10 am to 5 pm, with basket weaving, ceramics, natural soaps, honey products, lavender and woodwork.
- At the Niederfinow boat lift, the Lichterfest bathes the historic structure in light, with evening tours, a candlelit concert and free boat passages aboard a historic saloon ship.
- On the Gutspark festival grounds, the Falkenseer Herbstfest turns its Ferris wheel among some 20 showmen's stalls, bumper cars, a chain carousel and a breakdance ride.
- In the Lower Oder Valley National Park, the Crane Days begin, with early-morning outings to the roosts and canoe tours among more than 2,000 grey cranes.
The Crane Days return for a second weekend, from October 9 to 11.