Courtyard Festival in Brandenburg an der Havel Old Town

Brandenburg an der Havel — the Slavic Mother City of the Mark

The independent city of Brandenburg an der Havel is the historical namesake mother city of the federal state — the Mark Brandenburg owes its name to the Brandenburg, a Slavic fortress in the 10th century. The medieval old town around the Altstädtischer Markt, the Altstädtisches Rathaus, and Sankt-Gotthardt-Kirche showcases this past in a dense network of Brick Gothic, half-timbered houses, and burgher houses. Many of these houses have courtyards — enclosed light wells that remain private in everyday life.

Courtyards Open — A Charming Brandenburg Concept

For one afternoon, the Courtyard Festival turns these hidden light wells into public stages. The idea is simple and effective: residents and business owners of the old town — coordinated by the association 'Die Altstädter e.V.' — extend an invitation. Each courtyard designs its own programme: singer-songwriters, folk bands, brass quartets, cabaret artists, dance groups. Craftsmen demonstrate pottery, blacksmithing, bookbinding. Some courtyards sell coffee and homemade cake, while others offer wine and beer from Brandenburg breweries.

Children, Music, and Medieval Atmosphere

The programme is consistently family-friendly: face painting, bouncy castle, soap bubbles, interactive stations. Parents can stroll from courtyard to courtyard while the children make their own discoveries. The medieval architecture — brick, cobblestones, old gates — creates an atmosphere that a shopping mall town festival could never achieve. The Courtyard Festival is a declaration of love for the old town: locally rooted, organised with volunteer passion, and accessible free of charge.

Part of a Vibrant Old Town Summer

The Courtyard Festival is part of Brandenburg's rich summer calendar: the Havelfest in June, theatre sounds, concerts in the Cathedral of St. Peter and Paul, industrial culture at the Industrial Museum. Those planning a weekend trip can combine the Courtyard Festival with a visit to the Cathedral Museum or a boat trip on the Havel — Brandenburg an der Havel is reachable from Berlin in an hour by RE1.