44th Pfingstfest Goyatz

Pentecost on the Schwielochsee

When the Schwielochsee in Niederlausitz sparkles in the warm spring breeze on the Pentecost weekend, a tradition begins in Goyatz that the village has cherished since 1982: the Pfingstfest on the village square by the lake. The 44th edition on May 24, 2026, will once again be organized by the Goyatz Volunteer Fire Brigade — the central association institution of the small district of the Schwielochsee municipality. What began as a small community festival in 1982 is now an established festive day that attracts visitors from beyond the region: water sports enthusiasts arriving by boat from the lake, Berliners on a Pentecost excursion, and residents from surrounding villages.

Church Service, Morning Pint, Brass Music

The day's festivities begin with an open-air church service on the lake stage from 9:30 AM to 10:00 AM. A special atmosphere — the Pentecost sermon in the open air, with a view of the lake, against the backdrop of the village square. Afterwards, the Goyatzer Blasmusikanten take over for the morning pint. The local band, consisting of wind and accordion players, performs traditional folk music, classical brass marches, and Brandenburg dance songs — a cozy morning that combines Pentecost as a festival of the Holy Spirit and a folk festival.

EastStarBand from Berlin — Swing Music

In the afternoon, the EastStarBand from Berlin performs — a well-known swing band in the capital, working with classics by Glenn Miller, Duke Ellington, and Frank Sinatra. Their blend of big band sound, charming solos, and dance animations transforms the lake stage into a small open-air dance hall. A style rarely found at Brandenburg village festivals — and all the more special for it.

Disco Pond — Evening Dance

The evening is hosted by Disco Pond from Lübben, a disco established in the region that travels to village festivals and sets up its mobile DJ booth on the lake stage. The program is mixed-age — hits and folk music for the older generation in the early evening, followed by pop, rock, and disco classics for the youth. Officially until 5:30 PM, but the atmosphere usually lasts into the night.

Admission and Family Program

Admission to the festival grounds is charged — however, children and members of the Volunteer Fire Brigade have free admission. For families, there is a bouncy castle, demonstrations by the Goyatz youth fire brigade, craft activities, and games. Boat trips on the Schwielochsee are offered during the festival — a special opportunity to experience the lake from the water perspective.

Goyatz and the Schwielochsee

Goyatz, a district of the Schwielochsee municipality in the Dahme-Spreewald district, is located directly on the west bank of the Schwielochsee — one of Brandenburg's largest lakes, with an area of about 13 km². The lake is the main attraction of the region: swimming, water sports, canoe tours, fishing. Goyatz itself is a small waterside village with beach access, a marina, boat rentals, and a distinctive village square located directly on the lake shore — a perfect location for the lake stage, making the Pfingstfest a waterside cultural experience.