29th Cottbus Pottery Festival

Oberkirchplatz — Market Square in front of the Oberkirche

Oberkirchplatz in Cottbus, located in front of the late Gothic St. Nicholas Church in the historic city centre, has been the market square of the Lower Sorbian capital for centuries. With its size and central location, it is ideally suited for a market with around 55 pottery workshops. From September 5th to 6th, 2026, it will transform into the largest pottery market in Lusatia — the 29th edition of the Cottbus Pottery Festival.

Pottery in Diversity — Workshops from Across Europe

The approximately 55 pottery workshops come from Germany and across Europe. Represented are classic tableware potters, sculpture and ceramic artists, garden and architectural ceramic workshops, as well as experimental studios. The offerings encompass all shapes, colours, and styles — from traditional stoneware to contemporary ceramic art. A central component is the live demonstrations at the potter's wheel, where visitors can watch the potters at work.

Programme for Children and Families

The pottery festival is explicitly family-friendly. There are dedicated workbenches for children where they can work with clay themselves under guidance — a special experience that becomes a formative encounter with the craft for many young visitors. The programme is complemented by storytelling sessions, face painting, and a dedicated stage programme.

Live Music and Gastronomy

On the festival stage, live bands, folk music ensembles, and dance groups alternate — fitting the market atmosphere. The gastronomy ranges from hearty dishes (Bratwurst, fries, Spreewald gherkins) to sweet specialities and regional drinks. Lusatian Pilsner and coffee specialities complement the offerings.

Cottbus and the Lower Sorbian Capital

Cottbus, with around 99,000 inhabitants, is the second-largest city in Brandenburg and the cultural capital of the Lower Sorbian population. With its Branitz Castle (Park by Hermann Fürst Pückler), its Staatstheater Cottbus, and its historic city quarters, Cottbus is an independent urban centre of Lusatia. The pottery festival is part of the city's broad festival culture — City Festival, Pückler Run, Cottbus Film Festival, Theatre Days.