The joint program "Christmas in the Twin City" takes place in the German-Polish twin city of Frankfurt (Oder) / Słubice during the Advent season. Various formats organized by both cities are implemented under this umbrella brand. These include markets, daily activities and other events. The program is aimed at citizens of both cities as well as guests.
cityWEIHNACHT – event area in Frankfurt (Oder)
From November 24 to December 21, the market square and Brunnenplatz in Frankfurt (Oder) will be used as central event areas. The cityWEIHNACHT includes sales stands, gastronomic offers and various interactive formats.
The offer includes a Family Day on Wednesday, a Nikolaus event and a daily Christmas funfair. Another component is the House of Santa Claus with mailbox, which serves as a meeting point for families, and there is also a stage program every Friday.
Living Advent Calendar – offers on 24 days
From 1 to 24 December, the Living Advent Calendar takes place in Frankfurt (Oder) and Słubice. Every day, a program item is offered at a different location, including concerts, readings, handicrafts and other formats for different target groups.
The contributions are designed by institutions and initiatives from both cities. The program is bilingual and free of charge. Information will be provided online and in social media.
Program highlights 2025
The "Christmas in the Twin Cities" initiative includes the following focal points:
Opening of the Living Advent Calendar and lantern parade
December 1, 2025
The opening will take place at 4:30 p.m. on Frankfurt's Market Square. The Lord Mayor of Frankfurt (Oder) and the Mayor of Słubice will jointly open this year's program. This will be followed by a lantern parade through the city center and the Magistrale. The Fanfarengarde Frankfurt a. d. Oder e.V. will accompany the procession. Children can hand in Christmas post on this day.
Double-decker day at the Christmas funfair
December 6, 2025
Children can enjoy two rides for the price of one from 11 a.m.
Nikolaus campaign
November 26 to December 13, 2025
From November 26 to December 3, families can hand in cleaned children's boots at the Tourist Information Office. These will be filled with sweets and then displayed in shop windows along Magistrale and Carl-Philipp-Emanuel-Bach-Straße from December 6 to 13. The task is: "Find your boot!" The boots can be collected using a second boot brought along.
Other program items
- Daily free cultural events (concerts, readings, theater, workshops)
- Thematic guided tours
- Sale of freshly cut Christmas trees
- Various recreational and meeting areas
A complete program calendar is available on the websites of the cities of Frankfurt (Oder) and Słubice as well as on the social media of the Living Advent Calendar.
Project sponsor and funding
The overall project is supported by a German-Polish network. Participants include Messe- und Veranstaltungs GmbH Frankfurt (Oder) (city marketing), the SMOK cultural center in Słubice, the city administrations of both cities, Wohnungswirtschaft Frankfurt (Oder) GmbH (WOWI) and other local stakeholders. This partnership alliance coordinates the planning, accompanies the participants and supports the public relations work in both languages.
The project is made financially possible by funding from the European Union: "Christmas in the Twin Cities" is co-financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) in the INTERREG VI A Brandenburg-Poland 2021–2027 cooperation program. The PRO EUROPA VIADRINA Euroregion's small project fund provides funding to support such initiatives.