Braunschweig's Spring in the City festival blends vintage cars and modern mobility
Spring in the City: Braunschweig Celebrates Mobility and Community Spirit
This weekend, April 25 and 26, Braunschweig's city center will come alive with Stadtfrühling (Spring in the City), an open-air festival dedicated to mobility, entertainment, and good vibes. To encourage a leisurely stroll through the heart of the city, many downtown shops will open their doors on Sunday, April 26, from 1 to 6 p.m.—an extra treat for visitors.
From Saturday, April 25 (12 to 7 p.m.) through Sunday, April 26 (1 to 6 p.m.), guests can look forward to a weekend packed with mobility exhibits, interactive activities, and live performances. "With Spring in the City, we want to ignite the joy of spring and invite people to rediscover downtown Braunschweig," says Nina Fritzler, managing director of the city's marketing board. "It's the perfect mix of cutting-edge mobility on the squares, the latest fashion in stores, and the first warm rays of sunshine that turn a simple walk through the city into something truly special."
From Rickshaws to Race Cars
At Schlossplatz, public insurer Öffentliche Versicherung will showcase the importance of visibility and safety in everyday life under the slogan "Honestly: Make Yourself Visible." Visitors can spin a prize wheel for reflective vests and other safety gear, contribute to a giant coloring mural for a chance to direct a donation to a charity of their choice, and enjoy a painting station—plus meet the insurer's mascot, Öfi. Local transit provider BSVG will bring its electric solo bus, unveil its new merchandise line, and offer craft activities for children.
On Saturday, the Bürgerstiftung Braunschweig (Braunschweig Citizens' Foundation) will provide rickshaw rides for seniors and anyone interested in a relaxed tour. Those eager to pedal themselves can test various e-bike models at the e-motion booth. Safety first: Braunschweig Police will be on site with an info mobile, offering tips on burglary prevention, bike theft, and traffic regulations. The Maltesers will bring their Bobcat vehicle—doubling as a swing for kids and adults—along with an emergency response unit, giving visitors a glimpse into their life-saving work. Meanwhile, the Lions Racing Team will display its 2019 race car and invite children to snap photos in the driver's seat.
New Models and Classic Gems
Regional car dealers will showcase their latest vehicles across multiple downtown squares, with test seats available. At Platz der Deutschen Einheit, brands like Audi, Porsche, Volkswagen, Seat, Cupra, and Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles will line up side by side. Between Platz der Deutschen Einheit and Burgplatz, Škoda models will be on display, while the Domplatz will feature Dacia, Renault, Nissan, Citroën, MG, Mitsubishi, and Suzuki. Curious about van life? This is the place to explore campers up close. Over on Poststraße, Seat and Cupra will present their lineups, while the Kohlmarkt and Schlossplatz will highlight electric vehicles from Škoda, Alfa Romeo, Jeep, Fiat, Abarth, Opel, Peugeot, Kia, and Leap Motors. Tesla will park its fleet at Ritterbrunnenplatz, with Ford and GWM Ora vehicles just next door at Schlosscarree.
Burgplatz will transform into a haven for classic car enthusiasts this weekend. Set against the historic backdrop of Burg Dankwarderode and St. Blasii Cathedral, around 30 to 40 meticulously restored vintage cars will be on display. Visitors can admire these automotive treasures up close and chat with their proud owners.
From Magic Shows to Live Concerts
The stage at Schlossplatz, hosted by Öffentliche Versicherung, promises a vibrant program. DJ Chriz Rock will keep the energy high with music and live commentary both days, while visitors can unwind in the lounge area provided by Northern Events. Highlights include performances by musicians R2 and Martin Kroner, as well as magic tricks by illusionist Zino. Over at Kohlmarkt, local artists Johann and Robin Kap will set the mood with a diverse musical lineup, adding to the festival's lively atmosphere.
Quiet Hour
New This Year: The Quiet Hour This year's event introduces a dedicated Quiet Hour: On Saturday from 12:00 to 13:00 and on Sunday from 16:30 to 17:30, noise levels and sensory stimuli will be deliberately reduced across all areas. This initiative aims to create a more comfortable experience for neurodivergent individuals, older adults, young children, and anyone who prefers a lower-stimulus environment during Stadtfrühling (Spring in the City).
Program for the Little Ones The youngest visitors will find plenty to enjoy. On Saturday, dm will bring vintage pedal cars to Ritterbrunnen Square, while Sunday features a Hot Wheels event with 250 miniature vehicles to spark excitement. Another Sunday highlight awaits as the Braunschweig Lions arrive in a SEAT León Estate. Children's eyes will light up when they get up close to emergency vehicles from the volunteer fire brigade or try their hand at extinguishing (simulated) fires at a spray wall. Additional activities include glitter tattoos, decorating tote bags, and a craft station run by the youth fire brigade. Over on Kohlmarkt, a football dartboard, bouncy castle, and Eintracht Braunschweig's mascot, Leo, will keep the energy high. The family program also includes children's carousels on Domplatz and Kohlmarkt, plus a ball pit on Domplatz.
Market vendors from Braunschweig and the surrounding region will round out the experience with refreshing drinks and a diverse selection of food, ensuring no one goes hungry.
Spring Fashion in the City Center Trendy cuts, fresh colors, and the latest styles await shoppers strolling through downtown stores. To give visitors plenty of time to find inspiration for their wardrobes—and snag new spring and summer outfits—many shops will open on Sunday, April 26, from 13:00 to 18:00. Other attractions include a neighborhood flea market in the Magniviertel district, free rides on historic trams, and a joint raffle hosted by downtown businesses as part of the "Dein Braunschweig, deine Stadt" ("Your Braunschweig, Your City") initiative by the Arbeitsausschuss Innenstadt e.V. (City Center Working Committee).
For those eager to see the VW ID. Buzz "E-Follow Me"—either the full-size original or a model version—the Braunschweig Tourist Info is the place to go. This vehicle, the first of its kind in Germany, is currently in use only at Braunschweig Airport.
For up-to-date information and the full stage program presented by Öffentliche Versicherung (Public Insurance), click here.
