Eight weeks packed with music, art and festivals – clear the stage for the 2026 Summer of Culture

Open-air cinema, open-air exhibitions, sporting events, family festivals, light installations, performances and, above all, music: The 2026 Cultural Summer is set to really bring the house down in the twin cities of Frankfurt (Oder) and Słubice – and admission to all events is free.

For the fifth time, Messe und Veranstaltungs GmbH Frankfurt (Oder), the Słubice Cultural Centre SMOK, the cities of Frankfurt (Oder) and Słubice, as well as numerous partners and supporters, are organising the Cultural Summer as a joint cross-border project. From 3 July to 29 August, the twin city will once again be transformed into a huge stage on the banks of the Oder. “The Kultursommer connects Frankfurt (Oder) and Słubice in a special way: its events bring people together and inspire a desire to rediscover our twin city as a diverse, vibrant and creative place,” emphasised the organisers at the launch of the Kultursommer programme.

The festivities kick off on 3 and 4 July with the HanseStadtFest “Miejskie Święto Hanzy” in Słubice.&On the stadium’s side pitch, visitors can look forward to a varied programme of concerts, family activities, a funfair and food and drink stalls.

From 5 to 9 July, Plac Bohaterów in Słubice will once again be transformed into a summer open-air cinema under the stars. In addition to children’s entertainment in the early evening, films of various genres will be shown daily 

– including “F1 – The Movie”, “Nuremberg” and the Polish cult classic “Vinci”. 

On 8 July, the twin town will be all about sport, exercise and socialising. Under the motto “3, 2, 1 … Start” , the International Oder Cycle Tour combines sporting competition with cross-border camaraderie, whilst also building on the region’s long cycling tradition. Elite cyclists from various countries will compete against one another in thrilling races, turning the city bridge into a sporting link between Frankfurt (Oder) and Słubice.

The event is accompanied by a bilingual open-air exhibition on the cycling history of the twin city on the city bridge. Historical photographs and archive materials provide insights into the development of cycling in Frankfurt (Oder), from the first cycling clubs and early velodromes to influential figures and major competitions. At the same time, the exhibition highlights the role that exercise, competitions and journeys across the Oder play in the shared history of the twin city. Thus, the city bridge becomes not only a race course, but also a place where sporting heritage, remembrance and cross-border connections can be experienced.

Following this, the “Run Without Borders” invites recreational and competitive athletes to experience the twin city together on foot and to demonstrate the unifying power of sport across national borders.

With cityYOGA at St. Mary’s Church, visitors can also look forward to a special event in an extraordinary atmosphere. The historic church is transformed into a place of tranquillity, mindfulness and relaxation. Against this impressive backdrop, people of all ages come together to practise yoga and round off the evening in a special atmosphere. The project is co-financed by the Small Projects Fund of the Euroregion PRO EUROPA VIADRINA as part of the INTERREG VI A Brandenburg–Poland 2021–2027 cooperation programme.

On 9 July at 10:00, the Wish Tree Avenue will be opened. Year after year, creative hands from nurseries, clubs, after-school clubs and leisure centres decorate the lime trees along Bischofstraße with children’s wishes that any of us can fulfil.

On the same evening, at 10 pm, the “Fenster im Licht” concert in St. Mary’s Church will mark the traditional start of the HanseStadtFest “Bunter Hering”. The Singakademie Frankfurt (Oder) and the Brandenburg State Orchestra Frankfurt, conducted by Rudolph Tiersch, will present a special concert evening.

From 10 to 12 July, Frankfurt (Oder) will finally be transformed into a huge festival zone. The HanseStadtFest “Bunter Hering” is one of Brandenburg’s largest and most traditional city festivals, combining music, culture, cuisine and family activities. A total of six stages and numerous activity areas ensure a varied programme for all generations.

This year, the technical development and design of the historical reconstructions are being carried out in collaboration with a specialist reconstruction group. This will give visitors an even more authentic insight into market life, craftsmanship and the atmosphere of the Hanseatic era. In this way, the Hanseatic Market combines history, culture and entertainment into a special experience for the whole family. In the evening, the programme finally bridges the gap to the present day, without losing sight of its historical roots. The project is co-financed by the Small Projects Fund of the Euroregion PRO EUROPA VIADRINA as part of the INTERREG VI A Brandenburg–Poland 2021–2027 cooperation programme.

The “Hüftgoldallee” invites visitors to explore and linger with its international food trucks and culinary offerings, whilst the “Frankfurter Spaß Island” offers an extensive programme of hands-on activities for children and young people. The festival is complemented by the rock music stage, the Irish folk stage and the electronic experience island “Pure Island”. With He(a)ring, a very special musical oasis can once again be found this year in the garden of the Kleist Museum. Students from the European University Viadrina are putting together a programme there that invites visitors to dance, listen and feel. Under the motto “HEARING – wortzart”, cultural encounters between music, language and community take shape. Away from the hustle and bustle of the festival, the project creates a space for creative inspiration, new perspectives and open exchange – and thus exemplifies the cultural diversity and international character of the twin city.

On 17 and 18 July, NOVUM, a modern festival for electronic music, will take place in Słubice. Set against an extraordinary open-air backdrop, electronic music, light art installations and a summery festival atmosphere come together. The festival combines nature, art and electronic music into an immersive overall experience.

Another special highlight is the new “Borderless Youth Festival” on 25 July in Słubice. The festival was developed by young people from Frankfurt (Oder) and Słubice and sees itself as an open meeting place featuring music, DJs, workshops, creative activities and chill-out zones.

Calendar

Weitere Informationen gibt es auf den Internetseiten kultursommer.frankfurt-slubice.eu.