Peitz Moves 2026

725 Years of Peitz — Movement as an Anniversary Format

In 2026, the Lower Lusatian fortress town of Peitz celebrates its 725th anniversary. Instead of a classic festival weekend, the anniversary committee is focusing on the format "Peitz bewegt sich" (Peitz Moves), a three-week event series from August 10th to 30th, 2026. Motto: "Sport verbindet – gemeinsam, nachhaltig, vielfältig" (Sport connects – together, sustainable, diverse). On each weekend, several sports events will run parallel to cultural accompanying formats — the concept thus bundles the town's already rich club life into one big anniversary month.

Run on August 21st — the Sporting Kick-off

The first sporting highlight is the Peitz Run on Friday, August 21st, 2026. Over several distances (5 km, 10 km, and a walking route), the course leads through the historic old town around the fortress pond. The organizer is the local running club, timing and registration via berlin-timing.de.

6th Cycling Criterium on August 24th

Monday, August 24th, is dedicated to the 6th Cycling Criterium Peitz: a circuit through the city center with several classification races for different age groups. The organizer is Radsport Peitz, registration via radsport-peitz.de. The course runs over the cobblestones of the old town — a classic Lower Lusatian criterium with charm.

Derny Race and Town Festival on the Second to Last Sunday

The highlight of the program is the Derny race with a big town festival on the market square on the second to last Sunday of August (August 23rd, 2026). In the Derny race, a professional cyclist competes behind a motorized pacemaker vehicle — a spectacular discipline that used to characterize Berlin's six-day race sport. On the market square, the main stage will feature local bands, clubs, food trucks, and beer stands.

Volleyball Finale on August 30th

The closing event is the Volleyball Tournament on Sunday, August 30th, 2026: a beach and indoor volleyball tournament with teams from all over Lower Lusatia. The tournament runs all day and ends with the award ceremony and the final anniversary party.

Peitz — Fortress Town in the Spreewald

Peitz is located in the Spree-Neiße district, about 20 km north of Cottbus and on the eastern edge of the Spreewald Biosphere Reserve. With just under 4,000 inhabitants and its characteristic fortress pond complex, Peitz is one of the most historic small towns in Lower Lusatia. The former fortress from the 16th century still shapes the townscape today — and provides the backdrop for many of the anniversary events.