Berlin’s beloved Bölschefest won’t be happening this year. The festival’s organizer, Hans-Dieter Laubinger, cited safety risks, particularly the threat of vehicle attacks, as the reason for pulling the plug.
Set to take place on May 10-11 in Friedrichshagen, the event was supposed to feature a flea market, food stalls, and live entertainment. However, recent incidents across Germany—including vehicular and knife attacks—have made security a growing challenge.
Laubinger explained that properly securing Bölschestraße would require concrete barriers, but tram access points and side streets would remain vulnerable. After discussions with the police, he determined that the resources needed to guarantee safety were simply out of reach. Instead, a smaller, more manageable festival will be held in Friedrichshagen’s market square.
This isn’t the first time Bölschefest has been scrapped—pandemic restrictions shut it down in 2020 and 2021, and construction work prevented it in 2023. Despite this year’s cancellation, another event, the Bölschestraßenfest, is still on track. Organized by the Capital Culture Association, it will move forward with enhanced security measures in cooperation with Berlin police.
Germany has seen a rise in violent attacks, including stabbings and vehicle assaults. Most recently, on March 7, police in Saxony-Anhalt shot a 26-year-old Afghan man after he threatened a German citizen and officers with a knife. The suspect later died in the hospital. Amid rising concerns, festival organizers across the country are reassessing how—and if—they can continue hosting large public events.
