Dresden is dancing despite the bridge chaos: the 2025 city festival is just around the corner!

Dresden is dancing despite the bridge chaos: the 2025 city festival is just around the corner!

On June 26, 2025, the people of Dresden will be celebrating the city festival, which will take place despite the difficult circumstances. Organizer Frank Schröder has given the motto “Dresden dances” for this year. An investment of 1.2 million euros, of which 50,000 euros comes from the town hall, is expected to attract 500,000 guests. But the city is facing major challenges, particularly due to the tragic collapse of the Carola Bridge, which has a major impact on transport connections. As Sächsische.de reports, the Augustusbrücke will be closed during the festival, which can affect the mobility of the guests.

The collapse of the Carola Bridge is currently the central issue in Dresden. Hundreds of people gather on the banks of the Elbe and watch the investigation with mixed emotions. The level of the Elbe is continually rising, which made the first blasts to secure the bridge even more urgent. The police have cordoned off a large area, but the spectators are stunned but at the same time relieved that there were no injuries. According to [Blick.de]. The city is not silent, it is reacting.

Security concepts under pressure

Safety is the top priority, especially at major events such as the city festival. As IM.NRW highlights, a protection concept was developed together with the police and the public order office in order to optimally deploy security personnel. Especially after the recent events around the Carola Bridge, new terror barriers are not yet available, and no protection is guaranteed, especially at Postplatz, where many events are planned.

Another plan envisages that the opening of the city festival will be moved to the Altmarkt for the first time, instead of to the Theaterplatz as usual. This change is being made to bring people together safely in the city center. The trams will also run over the Augustus Bridge on Friday until 6 p.m. in order not to disrupt rush hour traffic. Nevertheless, the city festival starts late at 8 p.m.

Attractions and highlights

Despite all the challenges, the people of Dresden will not have to forego their tradition. The Wheel of Vision Ferris wheel will be a delight from June 27th with fares starting at 9 euros (6 euros for children), and there are exclusive breakfast and dinner rides starting at 52 euros. The popular blue light mile with the Bundeswehr will also take place again. In addition, the successfully established street food mile from last year remains in the program.

The city will come together to overcome this turbulent time. The city festival remains such an important part of Dresden's culture that citizens want to come together and make the most of it. Celebrating together in the face of challenges is what it takes to get the city dancing and to make it clear: Dresden is not giving up!