The Federal President’s Citizens’ Festival
On 4 and 5 September 2026, Federal President Steinmeier will host the citizens’ festival on the grounds of Villa Hammerschmidt in Bonn for the first time
August 07th, 2026
On Friday, 4 September 2026, Federal President Frank‑Walter Steinmeier and Elke Büdenbender will honour the civic engagement of some 2500 volunteers from all over Germany by inviting them to an event. The invited guests represent the many millions of people nationwide who actively foster the common good, thus strengthening our community life.
On the Open Day on 5 September 2026, the Federal President, along with the neighbouring Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development, will open the doors to all interested members of the public. You are invited to visit Villa Hammerschmidt – the Federal President’s official residence in Bonn – as well as the former Federal Chancellery next door, which is now the Bonn headquarters of the Development Ministry.
This year, too, guests on both days will have the chance to learn about the many aspects of voluntary work, to tour the historic rooms of the official residence in Bonn and to meet the Head of State in person. On the grounds of Villa Hammerschmidt, over 30 non‑profit organisations, initiatives and businesses will showcase the work that they do – making the many facets of volunteering visible.
The Federal President’s citizens’ festival has been held in Berlin every year since 2012. This year, it has been moved to the official residence in Bonn, as extensive renovation work has commenced at Schloss Bellevue, the official residence in Berlin. Villa Hammerschmidt on the river Rhine has been the Federal President’s official residence since 1950. In 1957, Schloss Bellevue in Berlin became an additional official residence. Villa Hammerschmidt is still used regularly for official events.
