Altstadtfest Strausberg

Strausberg — Gateway to the Oderland

Strausberg is the district town of Märkisch-Oderland, located immediately east of Berlin. The medieval town on the Straussee is connected to the Berlin city center in 30 minutes via the S5 suburban train line – yet it remains very independent: a historic town center with the Gothic Sankt-Marien-Kirche (St. Mary's Church), remnants of the medieval town wall, and one of Brandenburg's most beautiful lake backdrops. The Straussee, with its ferry (one of Germany's few electrically operated cable ferries), shapes the cityscape to this day.

Altstadtfest and German Unity Day

The Altstadtfest has been held on October 3rd for years – German Unity Day. This date gives the festival a civic-political note alongside its city festival character: Strausberg celebrates both its old town and the national holiday. Admission is free, opening the market and stage to the entire population. The festival is organized by the City Administration of Strausberg and its partners, including local clubs and cultural organizations.

Program Character — Market, Stage, Clubs

The festival grounds extend across the Market Square and the adjacent alleys of the old town. For 2026, expect:

• Start at 12:00 PM on the Market Square.
• Market Stage with live music from pop, Schlager, and classical genres – a full day's program until the evening.
• Vendor Mile with regional products, crafts, and gastronomy from Strausberg's restaurateurs.
• Children's Program with a carousel, craft activities, and a small Ferris wheel.
• Club Mile of Strausberg's associations – sports, culture, social services.
• History and City Tours through the medieval old town.

Parade and Herbstfanfare

For over 20 years, the highlight of the day has been the Herbstfanfare (autumn fanfare) by the Fanfarenzug Strausberg. Starting at 5:50 PM, a parade forms at Lindenplatz and proceeds through the old town to the Energie-Arena (Wriezener Straße 30e). The Herbstfanfare begins there at 6:00 PM with guest appearances from other marching bands – in previous years, including those from Mittenwalde, Dresden, and Rastede – as well as performances by the Fanfarenzug's show orchestra and youth guard. The crowning event at 8 PM: a fireworks display over the arena. The Herbstfanfare is the only program item with an admission fee: €2 for students up to 12 years old, €4 for visitors aged 13 and over.

Discover Strausberg

Those who extend their festival day should cross the Straussee with the historic electric cable ferry – an experience unique in Brandenburg. The Sankt-Marien-Kirche with its late Gothic carved altarpiece is worth seeing, and the remnants of the town wall around the town center can be explored on a walk. For overnight stays, hotels and guesthouses on the Straussee are recommended. Berlin is reachable in 30 minutes by S5 – a good base for a weekend connecting Brandenburg and Berlin.