Frankfurt (Oder) - Hansestadtfest Bunter Hering

The Hanseatic city festival ‘Bunter Hering’ in Frankfurt (Oder) and its Polish sister city Słubice is the largest twin city festival in the region and transforms the banks of the Oder into a gigantic festival mile every year. The funfair is a central element, creating a fairground atmosphere, especially in the area around Brunnenplatz and the Oder Tower grounds. The festival is named after the ‘Bunter Hering’ (Colourful Herring), a tradition dating back to the Hanseatic era, but today the festival stands for modern cross-border joie de vivre and colourful coexistence.

The atmosphere at the festival grounds is characterised by its close proximity to the Oder, which provides a maritime and historic backdrop. Between the various stages, where top-class live acts perform, the fairground rides tower above, offering visitors a sweeping view of the German-Polish border from the gondola. The mix of fast-paced high-tech attractions for adrenaline junkies and classic carousels for younger guests ensures that all generations come together at the ‘Bunte Hering’.

A special feature is the international character of the culinary offerings, which go far beyond the classic fairground fare. In addition to roasted almonds and lard cakes, the numerous stalls offer Brandenburg specialities as well as Polish delicacies such as bigos and pierogi. When the lights of the rides compete with the illumination of the city wall and the town hall in the evening, the fair becomes the lively heart of the twin city. The glittering highlight is often a large fireworks display over the Oder, symbolically connecting the two sides of the river.

Travel information:

By public transport:

- By train: Frankfurt (Oder) station (distance 1000 m)

- By tram: Oderturm stop (lines 2, 3) or Brunnenplatz stop (line 4)

By car:

- Venue: Market square / Brunnenplatz

Parking:

- Lenné Passagen car park (Karl-Marx-Straße)