21st Historical Apple Festival Volkspark Potsdam

Apple Festival with Medieval Spectacle

The Historical Apple Festival in Volkspark Potsdam has been combining two worlds since 2006: the regional apple-growing tradition of the Mark Brandenburg and the world of the High Middle Ages. In 2026, the festival celebrates its 21st edition on the weekend of October 3rd and 4th. The venue is the Großer Wiesenpark in Volkspark Potsdam – a former Federal Garden Show area from 2001, which is now one of Potsdam's most popular local recreation areas.

Medieval Craftsmanship

The historical market showcases medieval craftspeople at work:

• Blacksmiths, turners, dyers, basket weavers, potters with on-site workshops.
• Printers with a historical printing press.
• Scribes – calligraphy and medieval manuscript copies.
• Fabric and leather merchants, jewelry, drinking horns.
• Spice merchants, herb trade, medieval food.

Knights' Tournament and Viking Camp

Highlights for families:

• Knights' Tournament – show fights with armor and medieval weapons.
• Viking Camp – reconstruction of a Northern European camp with boat building, fur jackets, and mead.
• Falconry demonstrations with birds of prey.
• Children's program with archery, wooden games, and medieval costumes.

Apple Program

The apple is at the center:

• Variety exhibition – over 100 old apple and pear varieties for tasting and identification.
• Apple juice pressing on historical screw presses – visitors can participate or bring their own fruit.
• Apple wine production: demonstrations of traditional cider making.
• Historical apple recipes: apple compote, applesauce, baked apples prepared on-site.

Volkspark Potsdam – 25 Years

Volkspark Potsdam celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2026. On the park area preserved after the 2001 Federal Garden Show, it now offers themed gardens, sports facilities, nature experiences, art installations, and concert areas. The park is part of the UNESCO World Heritage buffer zone of the Palaces and Gardens of Potsdam.