Rosenthal Autumn & Thanksgiving Festival

Rosenthal – the village in Pankow

Rosenthal is one of Berlin's northernmost districts, located in Pankow, nestled between Tegel Forest and the Berlin city limits. The village structures here are unmistakably preserved: Hauptstraße runs along a historic village green with half-timbered houses, the 14th-century cemetery church, and a village common that regains its original function on festival days. The Thanksgiving festival, celebrated here for over five decades, is one of the most traditional village festivals within Berlin's city limits.

53 Years of Rosenthal Autumn

In 2026, the Citizens' Association counts the 53rd edition. This tradition dates back to the early 1970s – and the festival's character has changed little since then. At its heart is the agricultural idea of Thanksgiving: the summer is over, the harvest is in, and the village celebrates together. This original anchoring gives the festival a character that distinguishes it from typical folk festivals (Volksfeste) – although amusement rides, beer tents, and a festival tent atmosphere are naturally part of it.

Three Days of Program – Friday to Sunday

Friday (Sept. 18th, 6:00 PM–10:30 PM) kicks off the festival weekend with initial concerts and the start of the amusement rides. Saturday (Sept. 19th, 1:00 PM–10:30 PM) is the main festival day with a packed stage program on two stages, a craft market along Hauptstraße, and the evening's highlight: the fireworks display over the village green. Sunday (Sept. 20th, 10:00 AM–8:00 PM) is dedicated to the grand parade, which traditionally winds its way down Hauptstraße – featuring costume groups from northern Berlin and Brandenburg, historic agricultural vehicles, school classes, and music bands. The stage program continues afterward.

Craft Market and Thanksgiving Culinary Delights

In the market section between house numbers 155 and 171, artisans and producers from the surrounding area line up: ceramics, woodwork, honey, jam, farmer's sausages, knitwear. The food stalls serve seasonal Thanksgiving classics – wild boar on a spit, potato pancakes (Reibekuchen), plum cake, damson cake, fresh farmer's bread, and Federweißer (new wine).

In the State and District

Pankow is the most populous district of the state of Berlin. With districts like Prenzlauer Berg, Weißensee, Buch, and Rosenthal, it combines a vibrant city center with rural fringe areas. The Thanksgiving festival in Rosenthal makes this dual identity visible like hardly any other Berlin festival – a true village tradition in the heart of a world capital.