Lübbenau Spreewald & Marksmen's Festival
- 3 July 2026 – 5 July 2026
- Lübbenau, Brandenburg
A Spreewald and marksmen's festival on the first July weekend, highlighted by the Lübbenau boat parade of decorated Spreewald punts through the waterways. A good chance to see the Spreewald in full festival mode, beyond the usual tourist boat tours.
Source: https://www.reiseland-brandenburg.de/veranstaltung/spreewald/spreewald-und-schuetzenfest/ · Checked 2026-10-08
What the Spreewaldfest is
The Spreewald- und Schützenfest in Lübbenau is a festival in the heart of the Spreewald, the river landscape south-east of Berlin where the Spree splits into hundreds of small channels called Fließe. According to our event data, it takes place on the first weekend of July and is highlighted by the Kahnkorso, a parade of decorated Spreewald punts moving through the waterways. The 2026 edition is listed as confirmed, from Friday 3 July to Sunday 5 July 2026.
The festival combines a marksmen's tradition with the local water culture. It is a chance to see the region in festival mode rather than on a standard boat tour. The dates are confirmed, but the detailed programme, the timing of the parade and any ticketed events are published by the organiser, so check the official page shortly before you travel.
Dates and calendar in 2026
The festival runs from Friday 3 July to Sunday 5 July 2026, a classic three-day weekend. Brandenburg has no public holiday in early July, so Friday is a normal working day for most people. The parade of punts is the best-known highlight, but check which day it takes place, since the programme is set by the organiser.
Summer in the Spreewald means long daylight, warm weather and a lot of visitors on the water. The weekend is also popular with day trippers from Berlin and Cottbus, so the town centre and the harbour area are busiest in the late morning and afternoon. Evenings are typically more relaxed, with festival tents and local music.
Character of the region
The Spreewald is a UNESCO biosphere reserve, a landscape of narrow canals, alder woods and meadows, and one of the best-known regions of the Sorbian-Wendish minority. Many villages have traditional wooden houses, and the Sorbian language and customs remain part of local identity. The festival is a chance to see this culture, with traditional costumes and local music.
Lübbenau is the region's main tourist town, with its large harbour where punts depart for trips through the channels. Beyond the festival, a quiet punt trip or a cycle ride along the canal paths is the classic way to experience the landscape.
What to eat and drink
The Spreewald is known for its pickled gherkins, the Spreewälder Gurken, which are a protected regional product. Typical dishes include potatoes with linseed oil and quark, a traditional combination, plus fish from local waters and the usual festival food such as grilled sausages. We do not quote prices.
Local restaurants and farm cafés near the canals serve regional specialities, and many offer outdoor seating. In summer, book a table in advance on festival weekends, because the small town fills up quickly.
Getting there and where to stay
Lübbenau is on the regional rail line between Berlin and Cottbus, and a regional express train takes roughly an hour from Berlin, depending on the connection. From the station, the old town and harbour are within a short walk or a short bus ride. By car, the Spreewald is easy to reach from Berlin on the motorway, but parking near the centre is limited on festival days.
Accommodation ranges from hotels to guesthouses and holiday flats, and the number of rooms is smaller than in a big city. Book as early as you can for the first July weekend. Alternative bases include Burg (Spreewald) and nearby villages, but check connections back to Lübbenau at night.
Public holidays and vacation days in Brandenburg
There are no public holidays in Brandenburg between 3 and 5 July 2026, so a visit costs vacation days only if you need to leave on Friday. A trip from Friday 3 July to Sunday 5 July costs at most 1 vacation day (Friday), or none if you travel after work on Friday and the programme starts in the evening.
If you want to turn the festival into a longer stay in the Spreewald, adding Monday 6 July to Friday 10 July makes the trip 10 days long (Friday 3 to Sunday 12 July) for 6 vacation days in total (Friday and the following five weekdays). Check the Brandenburg school summer holidays, since families may plan around them.
Tips and who it suits
The festival suits families, couples, nature lovers and anyone interested in regional culture. It is less suitable for visitors who want a large entertainment programme, since it is a regional event. A punt trip is the most memorable activity and is easiest to book in the morning.
Bring sun protection and insect repellent, because the Spreewald has mosquitoes in summer. Wear comfortable shoes, check the parade timetable in advance, and book a punt ride before the festival crowds arrive.
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Written and maintained by Basaveswara Rao. Last reviewed on October 10, 2026.