Market of Traditions & German Costume Day Lübbenau

Lübbenau Honors Traditional Costume — Two Days of Folk Culture

When a town in the Spreewald is chosen to host the German Costume Day, it's a special honor. In 2026, Lübbenau is that town. From May 30 to 31, 2026, the German costume community will gather in the Rosengarten Lübbenau — the park between the castle park and the Großem Spreewaldhafen will become a vibrant stage for Sorbian and pan-German folk costumes.

What is the German Costume Day?

The German Costume Day is an annual, rotating day of honor for the German costume and customs movement. Associations from all federal states travel to present their regionally diverse costumes and exchange ideas on preserving folk culture. In Brandenburg, costume preservation is closely linked to Sorbian tradition — the Sorbs are a Slavic minority who have lived in Lower Lusatia for over 1,000 years, preserving their own costumes, language, and customs.

Saturday, May 30, 2026 — Opening and Celebration Evening

• Official opening of the Costume Day
• Performances by the German-Sorbian Ensemble
• Costume presentations from various German regions and international groups
• Sorbian-Wendish choirs
• Building a traditional hayrick (2:00 PM–5:00 PM) — a rare live demonstration of old Spreewald craftsmanship
• Fashion show „Wurlawy“ — a Sorbian-modern designer presents her collection „sorbisch modern“
• Evening concert Boom Drives Crazy

Sunday, May 31, 2026 — Costume Procession and Service

• Costume procession from St. Nicholas Church to the Rosengarten
• Ecumenical service with costume wearers
• Concert by the town band
• Spreewald dances on the main stage
• Stories and folk tales
• Festivities conclude in the late afternoon

Wurlawy — Sorbian-Modern

A special feature of the Saturday opening is the fashion show „Wurlawy“. The label combines traditional Sorbian elements with contemporary fashion — costume fabrics, embroidery, and cuts are reinterpreted in a modern style. Wurlawy is part of a young Sorbian-Lower Sorbian cultural scene that not only preserves but also evolves its heritage.

Rosengarten — Between Castle Park and Harbor

The Rosengarten is one of Lübbenau's most beautiful parks — a small garden situated between the castle park of the Counts of Lynar and the Großem Spreewaldhafen with its over 1,000 Spreewald punts. With its blooming roses, water, and the nearby harbor life, it provides a particularly atmospheric stage for costume culture.

Free Admission — An Important Statement

The entire Market of Traditions is accessible free of charge. This decision is part of Brandenburg's self-understanding: folk culture is not a luxury but a heritage — and it belongs to everyone.