Spring on the Neisse 2026 — Guben City Festival

One City, Two Countries, One Festival Flow

The Neisse doesn't divide — it connects. What has emerged in Guben and Gubin over the last 35 years is more than a twin city partnership: it's a growing common city where citizens commute across the bridge, shop, work, and live. From May 29 to 31, 2026, the twin city will celebrate this developed sense of belonging with the "Spring on the Neisse" — three days of city festival that take place simultaneously on both sides of the border river, transforming the city center all the way down to the riverbank into a continuous festival mile.

35 Years of Guben–Gubin–Laatzen Twin City Partnership

The thematic focus for 2026 is the anniversary of the twin city partnership: 35 years of continuous cooperation between Guben, the Polish Gubin on the eastern Neisse side, and the Lower Saxony town of Laatzen, which has also been a partner city since reunification. Receptions at the town hall, a festive event on Saturday evening, and joint program items on both sides of the Neisse honor this relationship. The festive address is traditionally given by a representative of the German, Polish, or Lower Saxon city leadership.

Day of Perspectives — Frankfurter Straße

A new feature in 2026: the former "Returnees' Day" has been integrated into "Spring on the Neisse" and moved to Frankfurter Straße under the new name "Day of Perspectives". Focused information for former Gubeners who are considering moving away or want to return — about the job market, housing availability, cultural life, and the perspectives that the new Guben offers. With stands from the city, local businesses, housing associations, and advisory services.

Children's Program "Moving City — Children in Action"

For families, there is a dedicated children's program themed "Moving City — Children in Action". Bouncy castles, craft stations, sports competitions, a participatory circus, and small theater performances are spread throughout the city center. The German-Polish orientation of the festival also shapes the children's program: games and activities are offered in parallel in both languages, and many Polish children from Gubin participate just like their Gubener friends.

Musical Program

The musical program in 2026 is spread across several stages in the city center. The opening on Friday is by the Municipal Music School "Johann Crüger", followed by the nostalgia music formation Kellerkinder. Saturday brings electro-pop acts and a laser show as a highlight late in the evening. Sunday is dedicated to Schlager music with well-known artists, rounded off by traditional Polish folk music on the Gubin side. Throughout the weekend: market stalls, showmen, German and Polish gastronomy, and unobstructed views of spring in the Neisse Valley.

Guben — Gateway to the Lusatian Lake District

Guben, with around 16,500 inhabitants, is one of Brandenburg's easternmost cities in the Spree-Neiße district, connected to its sister city Gubin (Polish Gubin) — until 1945, Guben was a German city divided into two parts by the war. Today, the twin city is a model of German-Polish cooperation. Those arriving for the city festival in May should explore the city's wool dyeing works, its textile heritage, and the nearby Lusatian Lake District before or after the festival.