Flößerfest Lychen

Lychen — Rafting Town Between Seven Lakes

Lychen, a small town with just under 3,100 inhabitants in the Uckermark district, has borne the nickname "Rafting Town" for centuries. As early as the 14th century, tree trunks from the forests of Pomerania and Mecklenburg were bundled into rafts here and shipped via the Havel and the Uckermark water system towards Berlin. The town lies on a peninsula between seven lakes — Oberpfuhlsee, Stadtsee, Großer Lychensee, Nesselpfuhl, Wurlsee, Zenssee, and Platkowsee — and is part of the Uckermärkische Seen Nature Park and the Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve. This watery backdrop makes every festival on the shore a special experience.

Tradition Since 1998 — Lychener Flößer e.V.

The modern Flößerfest was initiated in 1998 by Lychener Flößer e.V. The association preserves the memory of historical rafting and builds a traditional raft on the Stadtsee every year — the central act of the opening ceremony. Over the years, the festival has grown into Lychen's largest summer event. In 2026, the 28th edition will be celebrated. The entire festival grounds are prepared by the association's own efforts — from stage construction to catering.

Festival Weekend — Three Days by the Water

The festival starts on Friday, July 31, at 7 PM with the official opening on the "Günther Bischoff" open-air stage. This open-air stage in Gartenstraße, named after a Lychen raftsman, is one of the most beautiful venues in the region — terraced, with a view of the Oberpfuhlsee. On all three evenings, there will be live music (folk, country, rock, regional Schlager bands), dance group performances, and show acts. During the day, the promenade along the Oberpfuhlsee is a festival mile with stalls from local associations, handicrafts, specialties from the Uckermark, and children's activities. The central show is the historical rafting demonstration with traditional tools.

Culinary and Cultural

The gastronomic offerings are regionally influenced: fish from the Lychen lakes, game from the Schorfheide, beer, and liqueur from the Uckermark. Families from Lychen and the surrounding area are regular guests, and many Berliners come for the weekend — Lychen is about a 1.5-hour drive from Berlin Mitte. The Flößerfest is a classic Volksfest (folk festival) with a cultural claim: it's not about stars and big light shows, but about tradition, conviviality, and awareness of a lost craft.

Uckermärkische Seen Nature Park

Those who wish to extend their weekend will find a dense network of nature trails, canoe routes, and swimming spots around Lychen. The entire Uckermärkische Seen Nature Park covers 897 km² and is one of Brandenburg's most beautiful recreational areas. Every year, a guided canoe tour starts from Lychen during the Flößerfest — registration is via the town's tourist information office.