Hussite Festival in Bernau: Festive start with a big concert and torches!

Hussite Festival in Bernau: Festive start with a big concert and torches!

The Bernau Hussite Festival, the festive homage to the city's Hussite history, opened on June 13, 2025 with an exciting concert by the Federal Police Orchestra. Under the direction of Gerd Herklotz, the orchestra played at an impressive sunset, while happy people lingered on the square at the Steintor with wine and cocktails. Thousands of visitors flocked to the medieval fairground in the city park and to the fair.

The second opening act took place on the Bernau market square and offered a varied program with performances by soloists such as Nadine Oswald and Benedikt. Not to forget the highlights like the Star Wars medley and the titles from “Out of Africa” and “Skyfall”. A special highlight was tuba player Mateo Dudek, who captivated the audience with his beatboxing in “Fnugg Blue”. The orchestra was also supported by choirs from the Paulus-Praetorius-Gymnasium and Barnim-Gymnasium.

Torchlight procession and parade

An impressive torchlight procession rounded off the opening evening. From 10:00 p.m. to 10:30 p.m., the torchbearers paraded through the city center, starting at Berliner Straße and returning via Angergang to Steintorplatz. A spectacular fireworks display crowned the evening and sent visitors off into a joyful night.

The big parade, which begins on Saturday, June 14th at 11 a.m., will include around 1,600 actors and will vividly represent the city's history in around 60 pictures. Among the new images are the themes “1861 – The fine art of silk weaving” and “1990 – The founding of the Astronomisches Zentrum e.V.”. Moderation points at Steintorplatz, in Brüderstraße as well as in Berliner Straße and the city park make it easier for spectators to follow the parade.

Admission and event details

Entrance fees for the event are kept cheap: on Friday the price is 4 EUR, on Saturday and Sunday 8 EUR each, while a family ticket is available for 20 EUR. Visitors only pay EUR 5 for the Sunday festival. In addition, entry to the fair and art market is free. The festival runs Friday from 4:00 p.m. to midnight, Saturday from 12:00 p.m. to midnight and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. Discounted tickets are available for children, schoolchildren, students, social pass holders and others, while children up to 6 years of age and those accompanying severely disabled people enjoy free entry.

Stadtwerke Bernau offers a water bar with free drinking water, and it is recommended to use public transport as parking is restricted in the city center. For those conscious of tradition: Bernau has a rich history that dates back to the Hussites in the 15th century and is translated into modern times every year at the festival. The Hussite festival, which began in 1882, now attracts not only locals but also numerous guests from the region. It is a true celebration for the whole family.

As the Bernauer Live reports, the festival has developed over the years into an attractive event that keeps the history and traditions of Bernau alive. The city is proud to be a member of the Association of Cities with Hussite History and Tradition, which further underlines the importance of the festival.

Many visitors agree: the Hussite Festival is an unforgettable opportunity to experience history and celebrate at the same time.