Birkenfest Birkenwerder 2026 — 60 Years of Town Friendship with Villetaneuse

Birkenwerder — A Growing Municipality in the Northern Berlin Commuter Belt

Birkenwerder, with just under 8,500 inhabitants, is a growing municipality in the Oberhavel district, located directly north of the Berlin city limits on the S1 line between Berlin and Oranienburg. Its location on the edge of the forest in the Stechlin-Ruppiner Land Nature Park and its good S-Bahn connections have attracted many young families from Berlin to Birkenwerder in the 2000s and 2010s — a typical commuter belt development that shapes the annual Birkenfest as a key event.

60 Years of Twinning with Villetaneuse as the 2026 Motto

The Birkenfest 2026 is themed '60 Years of Town Friendship with Villetaneuse'. The partnership with the French town of Villetaneuse (Département Seine-Saint-Denis, northern Paris suburb) began in 1966, making it one of the oldest German-French town friendships involving a small East German suburb. For the 60th anniversary, a delegation from Villetaneuse will travel to Birkenwerder; program items with French music, food, and an official reception ceremony are planned.

Friday Evening: Open-Air Cinema

The Birkenfest begins on Friday, June 12, 2026, from 5 p.m. on the meadow opposite the town hall. The highlight of the first evening is the open-air cinema with a family-friendly film after dark (around 9:30 p.m.). In addition, there will be stalls from Birkenwerder clubs and catering. Live music from the region will precede the main event.

Saturday: Sports, Music, Dancing

On Saturday, June 13, 2026, from 2 p.m., the full program unfolds. Sports: Beach volleyball tournament and table tennis tournament for club teams and spontaneous teams. Music: Stage program with live music, dance performances, and walking acts. Hands-on activities for children, entertainment, and club stalls. Catering with classic community festival fare (bratwurst, crêpes, beer) plus a French stand from Villetaneuse as a jubilee contribution.

Family Festival with Tradition

The Birkenfest is designed as a family festival — the program ends on Saturday with a convivial gathering, not a big party night. The event brings together long-time residents and newcomers and is an important anchor of community life. Free admission. The 2025 edition (June 13–14) had the motto 'Birkenfest Meets Fire Brigade' and celebrated a double anniversary of the Birkenwerder Fire Brigade. In 2026, the town friendship with Villetaneuse is the connecting theme.