Dorffest Schwante

Festival in Schwante

The Dorffest Schwante is the annual summer festival of the Schwante district (municipality Oberkrämer, Oberhavel district) and will take place in 2026 on Saturday, June 27, starting at 1 p.m. on the central village square at Dorfstraße 28. The organizer is the Schwante local council, supported by local associations.

Matjesheringessen as a Highlight

A traditional highlight of the Schwante village festival is the Matjesheringessen – a festive custom widespread in Northern Germany, where freshly salted Matjes herring (young, mildly salted herring) is served with boiled potatoes, onions, apple rings, and bread. The meal is served by the festival committee at fixed prices.

Program Overview

As is customary at Brandenburg village festivals, the Schwante festival includes:

• Ceremony with the local mayor and representatives of the municipality Oberkrämer.
• Musical performances by regional bands or marching bands.
• Matjesheringessen as a culinary highlight.
• Dance performances by local groups.
• Children's program with a bouncy castle and games.
• Beer, bratwurst, fries, coffee, and cake from food stalls.
• Competitions by Schwante associations.

Schwante – Founding Place of the East CDU

Schwante has a special political history: On June 26, 1945 – exactly 81 years before the festival day in 2026 – the Christian Democratic Union (CDU) of the Soviet Occupation Zone was founded in Schwante Schloss (Palace). This made Schwante one of the three founding places of the later East CDU and thus of today's unified German CDU. A commemorative plaque at Schwante Schloss commemorates this.

Getting There and Parking

Schwante is accessible via the L17 (between Oberkrämer and Velten). Parking is available on the meadow next to the sports field and on the meadow near the Plentz bakery.

Oberkrämer – Municipality of Several Districts

The municipality of Oberkrämer was formed in 2003 through the merger of four villages: Bötzow, Eichstädt, Marwitz, and Schwante. With a total of around 7,500 inhabitants, it is located in the Oberhavel district in the commuter belt northwest of Berlin – conveniently located between the Berliner Ring (A10) and the B273 to Oranienburg.