Festive citizens' festival in Saarbrücken: 35 years of unity duly celebrated!

Festive citizens' festival in Saarbrücken: 35 years of unity duly celebrated!

On October 3, 2025, German Unity Day is a colorful festival in Saarbrücken that is celebrated with joy and enthusiasm. Anke Rehlinger, Prime Minister of Saarland and President of the Federal Council, opened the celebrations on Thursday and promoted the citizens' festival, which attracts numerous visitors over three days. The city is in a celebratory mood and has prepared well to properly celebrate the 35th anniversary of German unity. A big draw for people is the diverse program with over 600 artists and around 150 exhibitors, presenting big stars as well as local talent. Leisure snacks and hands-on activities such as an alcohol driving simulator enrich the celebrations, which further enhance the good mood.

Uwe Conradt, Mayor of Saarbrücken, placed particular emphasis on the importance of German-French friendship. This is not only celebrated culturally, but also highlighted by visits from important politicians; French President Emmanuel Macron is also expected, accompanied by Federal Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other high-ranking representatives. The police reported that on the first day of the festival it was quiet, with no significant incidents and a high five-digit number of visitors. A suspected fight turned out to be merely a verbal altercation, which pleased security forces.

Traffic and safety during the festival

However, the community festival not only brings joy, but also some restrictions for residents and visitors. The city center has been converted into a festival area and extensive traffic closures are in place. The streets are closed to car traffic and bicycles and e-scooters are not allowed to enter the festival grounds. However, taxis operate normally and stops are available outside restricted zones. The Saarland police have also set up a special station in the city center, which will be staffed from October 2nd to 4th from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. The address is Bahnhofstraße 22, 66111 Saarbrücken.

To ensure safety during the festival, several measures were taken. The police are providing information about no-fly zones in Saarbrücken and Mettlach for drones, which apply from October 2nd to 5th. The public is asked to adhere to the rules, as violations of the no-fly zone are punishable as criminal offenses in accordance with Section 62 of the Aviation Act. Police drones will be used to monitor the festival site to ensure a safe experience for everyone.

Additional information for residents

Preparations for the festival began on September 27th with initial construction that will last until October 8th. Residents should prepare for some changes, including road closures and parking restrictions. It is recommended that you pay attention to traffic signs and that vehicles that are not allowed to park can be towed away for a fee. Access to the apartments remains possible at any time on foot, and in the event of towed vehicles, the state capital Saarbrücken's car search service is available. For special cases, such as medical trips or important deliveries, residents can request access under certain conditions.

A hotline is available for questions and information during the festive season. You can be reached Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., and for urgent matters until 11:00 p.m. on public holidays.

Overall, the citizens' festival on German Unity Day in Saarbrücken offers an exciting program and lively togetherness that celebrates both tradition and modern joy.