The Living Advent Calendar (LAK) Frankfurt (Oder)-Słubice is celebrating its 15th anniversary this year and offers a total of 47 events and activities. On Friday, 1 December 2023, the joint opening ceremony with the Frankfurt CityWEIHNACHT and a special entertainment program will take place on Frankfurt's market square from 4.30 p.m.
After a stage program, the children of the twin city who have brought lanterns are invited to take part in a parade of lights through the city center. This will be accompanied by majorettes from the Fanfarengarde Frankfurt (Oder) e.V.
At 6 p.m., the Lord Mayor René Wilke and the Mayor of Słubice Mariusz Olejniczak will open this year's LAC event month and welcome a guest of honor from the Arctic Circle, who will address those present via live broadcast. Christmas wishes will be read out and wish letters will be sent by post. The children of the twin city will also be able to bring their Christmas post on this day.
In addition to the festive opening, the LAC will accompany you through the pre-Christmas period with a further 46 doors. Every day, cultural and social institutions, companies, associations and groups offer events and free opportunities to meet in a cozy atmosphere.
Highlights from the program
12 December | 6.00 p.m. | Concert Hall (Chamber Music Hall), Lebuser Mauerstraße 4
German-Polish Advent Concert by the Brandenburg State Orchestra (BSOF)
Musicians from the BSOF will present a festive Christmas program. The Słubice youth group Rytmos, directed by Anna Adamowicz, will also perform as a guest. Susanne Heutling will play the harp, Anne K. Meier will play the violin and Malgorzata Picz will sing. The concert will be moderated and accompanied by the two musicians Anne K. Meier and Malgorzata Picz.
15/16 December | 3.00 p.m./12.00 p.m. to 21.00 p.m. | SMOK Cultural Center, Plac Bohaterów
Christmas market in Słubice
Special highlights of the two days include Christmas karaoke, the handover of the Bethlehem Peace Light and various live acts by various artists. A visit from Santa Claus or a ride on the children's carousel await younger guests. Food truck stalls with a wide range of offerings will take care of your physical well-being.
16 December | from 2.00 p.m. | Händlerstammtisch der Magistrale, Karl-Marx-Straße & Große Scharrnstraße
Mulled wine route
Traders and restaurateurs in the city center offer culinary delights, mulled wine and hands-on activities (especially for children) along the mulled wine route. Part of the sales proceeds will be donated to charity.
19 December | 6.00 p.m. | SMOK Cultural Centre, in the Kleist Forum, Platz der Einheit 1
Christmas Prelude
The Christmas Prelude 2023 will be a colourful musical, choreographic and theatrical performance with elements of artistic visualization involving local artists and creatives. Shepherds' and Christmas carols as well as pieces composed especially for the occasion will be performed. Theatrical and choreographic etudes will also be on display.
20 December | 9.30 a.m. to 12.00 p.m. | Märchenwald der ARLE gGmbH, in cooperation with Theater Frankfurt, Halbe Stadt, next to Lienaupark
Fairytale Hour in the Fairytale Forest
Fairytale reading including children's animations
20 December | 6 p.m. | St. Marienkirche, Oberkirchplatz
Christmas caroling
The cities of Frankfurt (Oder) and Słubice invite you to a Christmas caroling in a festive atmosphere. Accompanied by German-Polish choir voices, you can get in the mood for the holidays together. Booklets of songs are available to help with the lyrics. Light sources (flashlight, fairy lights, etc.) to illuminate the carols are to be brought along as required.
The project "Living Advent Calendar Frankfurt(Oder) Słubice 2023" is supported by the Small Projects Fund (KPF) of the Euroregion Pro Europa Viadrina - Mittlere Oder e. V. as part of the INTERREG V A Brandenburg - Poland 2014-2020 cooperation program with funding from the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).
Program
The complete program of the LAK can be found on the citizen platform of the city of Frankfurt (Oder) as well as on Facebook and Instagram.
Organizing team:
- City Administration Frankfurt (Oder)
- City Administration Słubice
- Stiftung SPI Brandenburg, Quartiersmanagement Frankfurt (Oder)
- Wohnungswirtschaft Frankfurt (Oder) GmbH
- Messe und Veranstaltungs GmbH Frankfurt (Oder)
- Katholische Studentengemeinde "Parakletos" Słubice