What's on in Lower Saxony this weekend of June 27 and 28? The region shows its full range: in Braunschweig international theatre closes its festival days while the museums open through the night, on the North Sea thousands of dragon-boat teams race one another, and in Lingen one of Germany's most successful pop stars plays the biggest open air of his career. Our pick this time is a contrast that could hardly be sharper: demanding world theatre in the „lion city“ against an honest harbour fair on the coast. In between there's street food in Oldenburg, vintage chrome in Gifhorn, a princely ball at Bückeburg Castle and Pride on the Wesermarsch. Twelve outings for a weekend that runs from the state theatre to a World Natural Heritage site.
Festival Theaterformen in Braunschweig: the finale with 14 productions from 14 countries
From June 18 to 28, Braunschweig becomes one of the most important stages for international contemporary theatre as it hosts the 36th Festival Theaterformen. This weekend the biennial festival heads into its final performances, with 14 productions from 14 countries — from performance and dance to experimental, interdisciplinary work. Performances take place at the Staatstheater Braunschweig and at the atmospheric special venue of the former Rennelberg prison, whose walls lend the evenings a tension all their own. Sunday, June 28, is the closing day — the last chance to experience a cosmopolitan, uncompromising programme. A must for those who see theatre not as a recording but as the living present.
Braunschweig Museum Night: one combined ticket for the lion city
On Saturday, June 27, the museums of Braunschweig throw open their doors for the annual Museum Night, far beyond their usual hours. From 7pm to midnight a single combined ticket lets you roam the city's most important collections — from the Lower Saxony State Museum and the State Natural History Museum to the Municipal Museum. Special tours, music in the courtyards and a packed supporting programme turn the evening into a journey through art, nature and history. Anyone who prefers to discover culture after dark will find this the most convivial way to explore several houses in one night — a format that turns the city into a stroll between display cases.
Wincent Weiss Open Air in Lingen: the biggest concert of his career
Wincent Weiss comes to the EmslandArena in Lingen on June 27 for a major open air — the largest of his career so far, according to the promoter. The pop singer-songwriter, known for hits such as „Musik sein“, „Feuerwerk“ and „Pläne“, brings his catchy songs to a big open-air stage show under the sky on his 2026 summer tour. For the Emsland this is a major musical event, drawing fans from across the north-west and the nearby Netherlands. Anyone wanting German pop on a stadium scale in summer spirits is in the right place in Lingen this Saturday — a date that has the whole region singing along.
Emden Harbour Mile with dragon-boat race: the north-west's biggest paddling spectacle
The Emden Harbour Mile with its Sparkasse dragon-boat race is the largest dragon-boat event in all of north-west Germany. On Saturday, June 27, from 10am to 6pm, more than a thousand paddlers from clubs, company teams and hobby groups battle it out on Emden's inner harbour over a 250-metre sprint across three lanes near the promenade. Admission is free. Around the races, food, music and a maritime atmosphere make for a lively harbour fair. Anyone keen to combine water sport up close, team spirit and East Frisian conviviality in a single day will find Emden at its sportiest by the Delft.
HANSE AHOI in Buxtehude: a maritime harbour fair with a pirate show
On the weekend of June 27 and 28, Buxtehude hosts the great maritime harbour fair HANSE AHOI. The Buxtehude harbour turns into an extended Hanseatic festival mile with stalls, stages and family activities right by the water. The highlights are a spectacular pirate show with historic swordplay and acrobatics, and a varied family programme. Against the backdrop of the old Hanseatic town on the edge of the Altes Land, seafaring romance, market bustle and stage entertainment blend into an atmospheric summer weekend. For families after a festival of stories, music and maritime flair, Buxtehude is the place to be on both days.
5th Duderstadt Open Air Festival: regional bands from three states on two stages
The Duderstadt Open Air Festival takes place on June 27 and 28 in the LNS-Park on the edge of the Eichsfeld town, bringing together regional bands from southern Lower Saxony, Thuringia and northern Hesse on two stages. Run by the Kreuzberg on KulTour association, the festival is aimed squarely at families and music lovers of every age, pairing a moderate admission model with professional event technology. Two days of live music in a relaxed park atmosphere make the open air a fixture in the Eichsfeld's summer calendar. Anyone keen to discover the regional scene beyond the big names while enjoying an affordable, family-friendly festival belongs in Duderstadt.
Streetfood Festival Oldenburg: an open-air kitchen on the castle square
The Streetfood Festival Oldenburg turns the Schlossplatz into an international open-air kitchen from June 26 to 28. Food trucks from various regions of Germany and Europe present specialities from around the world — from Asian classics and Latin American bowls to modern burgers and vegan concepts. Live music and a kids' area round off the weekend. On Saturday and Sunday the festival runs in full, with long opening hours and a relaxed city atmosphere before the castle backdrop. For anyone wanting to taste their way around the world's cuisines and let the summer evening fade out to music, Oldenburg's Schlossplatz is the most flavoursome destination of the weekend.
8th Gifhorn Oldtimer Mile: chrome jewels on the castle meadows
The 8th Gifhorn Oldtimer Mile takes place on Sunday, June 27, on the Gifhorn castle meadows and at the International Mill Museum. Classic cars, trucks, buses and motorcycles are presented across two spectacular event areas. The organisers are the town of Gifhorn and WiSta Gifhorn GmbH. Among historic bodywork, the mill museum and a relaxed summer mood, gleaming chrome lines up beside lovingly restored vehicles, with plenty of shop talk, food stalls and a family programme. For lovers of automotive history and for anyone who simply wants to stroll the rows, this day in Gifhorn is a nostalgic pleasure — technology you can touch against a historic backdrop.
Princely Ball at Bückeburg Castle: a dance evening in the princely hall
The Princely Ball at Bückeburg Castle opens the castle's great festival hall for the third time on June 27 and 28. The organiser is Finest Events GbR, in cooperation with the Princely Schaumburg-Lippe court chamber. The ball transforms the magnificent hall, where the reigning princely family receives guests on formal occasions, into a ballroom for guests in evening dress. Live music, a festive atmosphere and the unique setting of an inhabited princely castle make the evening an extraordinary experience. Anyone wanting to mark the weekend in an elegant, ceremonial way — far from festival tents and fairground rides — will find Bückeburg the most glamorous address.
Blues & Rock am Deister in Barsinghausen: four bands under the open sky
Blues & Rock am Deister is the annual open-air festival of the Naturfreunde Barsinghausen. On June 27, from 3pm to 10pm, the Naturfreundehaus in the Bullerbachtal becomes a blues and rock stage under the open sky. Four bands shape the 2026 line-up: Steve Baker & The LiveWires (blues, Americana, rock), Blackberry Crowes (rock, folk, blues), Blue Terrace (classic blues) and one further act round off the evening. Set into the wooded slopes of the Deister, the festival pairs handmade music with the quiet of nature. For an audience that values honest blues and rock away from the big halls, this Saturday in the Calenberger Land is an insider's tip.
CSD Wesermarsch in Nordenham: parade and stage on the coast
The CSD Wesermarsch is the region's annual Christopher Street Day and one of the most significant queer events on the Lower Saxon North Sea coast. In 2026 the CSD celebrates its 5th edition on Saturday, June 27, from 1pm in the centre of Nordenham. The programme includes a political rally, the parade through the town centre and a stage programme with live music. The organiser is the CSD Wesermarsch association. For a young anniversary, the event sends a clear signal for diversity and visibility in a rural coastal region. Anyone wanting to combine commitment, colour and celebration will find Nordenham hosting the most sociable festival of the weekend this Saturday.
Wadden Sea World Heritage Birthday in Wilhelmshaven: a dike breakfast at the natural heritage site
The Wadden Sea World Heritage Birthday honours each year the recognition of the Wadden Sea as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site. In 2026 the celebration coincides with the 40th anniversary of the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park — a special double occasion. In Wilhelmshaven, Saturday, June 27, features a dike breakfast right by the Wadden Sea from 8:30 to 9:30am, set within a day of programming around the unique coastal nature. Between salt marshes, ebb and flow, pleasure, natural history and wonder at one of Europe's largest wilderness landscapes come together. Anyone wanting to start the summer quietly, expansively and close to the sea is in exactly the right place.
For more events all across Germany, see our this weekend's agenda. Enjoy the weekend in Lower Saxony.
