More sunshine, more color in nature, and a long weekend: Easter in Germany is just around the corner. Good Friday (April 3), Easter Sunday (April 5), and Easter Monday (April 6) are official holidays. It’s not a full week off, but there’s enough time to enjoy the days with family and friends. Whether you want to breathe in the Mediterranean air in a Sicilian garden not far from the city or visit one of Berlin’s most traditional folk festivals —the choices are plentiful. If you’d also like to experience a large Easter bonfire, don’t miss the season opening at Britzer Garten. For an even more traditional and authentic experience, check out this event: The Sorbian Easter Festival in the Spreewald will take place from April 3 to 6, 2026, at the Lehde Open-Air Museum .
The event takes place daily from approximately 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Admission is around €8, with reduced rates available, while children usually get in for free depending on their age. The event is considered one of the most authentic Easter experiences in Brandenburg, as Sorbian or Wendish traditions are not merely staged here, but are actually lived out.
The Sorbs are a Slavic minority in Lusatia, which also includes the Spreewald. Their Easter customs are among the oldest and most elaborate in Europe. In particular, the decoration of Easter eggs is a centuries-old tradition and is still passed down with great care today. In the Spreewald, this cultural heritage is celebrated with particular fervor every year—especially around Lübbenau.
A diverse program awaits you at the open-air museum. The focus is on the artistic decoration of Sorbian Easter eggs, which is considered the highlight of the event. Visitors can either get creative themselves or watch experienced artists at work. Traditional techniques such as wax batik are used to create intricate patterns. The whole experience is less of a craft activity and more of a living folk art tradition.
Another central component is the so-called Walei, a traditional egg-rolling game. Eggs are rolled down a hill—a mix of play and ritual. The custom usually takes place on Easter Saturday and is an integral part of Sorbian Easter culture. In addition, there are guided tours and Easter walks through the museum that offer insights into 19th-century rural Easter traditions. During these, you’ll learn, among other things, what terms like “Patensemmel” mean and which customs are traditionally part of the Easter celebration.
The program is rounded out by small market stalls offering regional specialties as well as sweet and savory snacks. The focus here isn’t on a modern street food concept, but on an authentic, regional culture of indulgence.
The setting also contributes significantly to the special atmosphere. Blooming fruit trees, historic farmsteads, and the idyllic landscape of the Spreewald create a backdrop that feels almost like a journey back in time. The open-air museum itself showcases life in the Spreewald of the 19th century, making the traditions even more tangible.
A special highlight is the boat ride. During the Easter holidays, special trips are offered so you can reach the museum via the waterways, in a manner typical of the Spreewald.
