Osnabrücker Handschlag – Peace Celebration 2026
Free family program on the anniversary of the Peace of Westphalia in the City of Peace
About Osnabrücker Handschlag
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Osnabrücker Handschlag al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
City of Peace since 1648
Osnabrück is one of the two cities where the treaties of the Peace of Westphalia were signed in 1648 – the end of the Thirty Years' War, one of the fundamental peace agreements in European history. Since then, Osnabrück has seen itself as a City of Peace and has developed numerous formats that translate this historical responsibility into the present day.
Osnabrücker Handschlag
The Osnabrücker Handschlag is the central peace celebration of the year and takes place every August – close to the historical anniversary of the peace message. The event is supported by the City of Osnabrück, the St. Marien parish, the University of Osnabrück, and the Diocese of Osnabrück. This broad institutional backing reflects the shared interest in a peace message that is relevant today.
Family Program in the Old Town
The program is deliberately designed as a family event: remembrance of the peace treaty, explanation of historical contexts, opportunities for dialogue with representatives from politics, religion, and science, as well as cultural contributions shape the day in the Old Town and at the Town Hall. Free admission.
Relevance of the Peace Message
In times of international conflict, Osnabrück's peace message gains new significance. The Osnabrücker Handschlag is not intended as a mere historical gesture, but as a present-day commitment to diplomacy, dialogue, and non-violent conflict resolution – values that the Peace of Westphalia brought forth in a Europe at war.
Osnabrücker Handschlag — edition 2026
The exact program for 2026 will be published by the organizers in the summer. The structure follows the proven cornerstones of previous years: an ecumenical peace service in St. Marien, followed by a gathering in the market square with speeches, cultural contributions, and family activities, and concluding with evening cultural events.
Programme Osnabrücker Handschlag 2026
Schedule – August 9, 2026
- Morning: Peace service in St. Marien Osnabrück
- Gathering in the market square with a symbolic handshake
- Speeches by the city, church, university, and diocese
- Cultural contributions (music, readings, performance)
- Family activities for younger visitors
- Accompanying information stands on the Peace of Westphalia and current peace topics
- Evening conclusion
Note
Detailed program available at westfaelischerfrieden-os.de and friedensstadt.osnabrueck.de.
Highlights Osnabrücker Handschlag 2026
- Commemoration of the Peace of Westphalia 1648
- Contemporary interpretation of the peace message
- Family program in the Old Town
- Organizers: City, Church, University, Diocese
- Free admission
Prices Osnabrücker Handschlag 2026
Practical information — Osnabrücker Handschlag
Date 2026
Sunday, August 9, 2026.
Location
Osnabrück Old Town and Town Hall, 49074 Osnabrück.
Getting There
Public transport: Bus lines to the city center. By car: Parking garages in the city center.
Admission
The family program is free of charge.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
Max. 5 photos, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Spotted an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Each suggestion is reviewed by our team before being published.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Osnabrücker Handschlag al mejor precio.
Sponsored link