Orangefest Oranienburg

Luise Henriette of Orange — The Namesake

Oranienburg is named not after a fruit, but after Luise Henriette of Orange-Nassau (1627–1667), the Dutch Princess and first wife of the Brandenburg Great Elector Frederick William. He had Oranienburg Palace built for her in the Dutch Baroque style within the city limits (today Oranienburg, Oberhavel district) — a direct homage to his wife and her homeland. The Orangefest makes these Dutch roots an annual program point.

Program: Orange is Mandatory

On the festival day — usually the last Sunday in April — the palace, palace square, and palace gardens transform into a Dutch-orange zone. Visitors are encouraged to dress in orange — scarves, hats, T-shirts. The program includes: Dutch folk dances in traditional costume (clog dancing), baroque acrobatics in a historical setting, an arts and crafts market, stalls with Dutch and regional specialties (Stroopwafels, Dutch cheese, tulips), and boat trips on the Statenjacht — a replica of a historic Dutch ceremonial boat.

Palace and Museums

During the festival day, the museums of Oranienburg Palace (Stiftung Preußische Schlösser und Gärten Berlin-Brandenburg, SPSG) and the regional museum are accessible free of charge. The festival thus combines family programming with educational offerings — Dutch-Baroque history to touch and experience.

Getting There and Around

Oranienburg is located 30 km north of Berlin and can be reached by S-Bahn line S1 in 50 minutes from Berlin Friedrichstraße. Those already in the region can combine their visit to the festival with a walk through the palace gardens or an excursion to Lehnitzsee. Oranienburg is also the site of the Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp Memorial — a deliberate contrast in the city's historical identity.