Name: Biikebrennen on Föhr 2026
Start: 2026-02-21T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-02-21T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Wyker Biike Fehrstieg und 12 weitere Inselbiiken

Biikebrennen Föhr

About Biikebrennen Föhr

On February 21st, the North Sea island of Föhr transforms into a sea of lights: 13 Biike bonfires blaze in the island's villages — more than on any other North Frisian island. With this traditional winter gathering, the island community bids farewell to winter. In Wyk, a torchlight procession starts at 5:45 PM from the event center on Sandwall; around 6:30 PM, the Wyk Biike bonfire will be lit at Fehrstieg. Simultaneously, the Biiken in the other Föhr villages will be lit. After the spectacle, locals and guests gather in the inns for the traditional kale supper with aquavit. The custom has been recognized as intangible UNESCO cultural heritage since 2014.

Dates 21 Feb — 21 Feb 2026

Venue Wyk auf Föhr (01054)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Biikebrennen Föhr — edition 2026

On Saturday, February 21, 2026, 13 Biike bonfires will blaze on Föhr. In Wyk, a torchlight procession starts at 5:45 PM from Sandwall to Fehrstieg, accompanied by the youth fire brigade. The main Wyk Biike is lit at approximately 6:30 PM. Simultaneously, island bonfires will be lit in the rural villages. The event is a tradition recognized as UNESCO intangible cultural heritage.

The Biikebrennen 2026 on Föhr takes place on February 21st, as every year. 13 Biike bonfires will be lit on the island — a record number among the North Frisian islands. In Wyk, a torchlight procession starts at 5:45 PM from the event center on Sandwall, accompanied by the Wyk youth fire brigade, heading towards Fehrstieg. There, the large Wyk Biike will be officially welcomed and lit around 6:30 PM. Simultaneously, the respective village Biiken will blaze in Süderende, Nieblum, Borgsum, Oldsum, Utersum, and the other villages on the island — a spectacle that only Föhr offers with such density.

Afterwards, locals and guests gather in the inns for the traditional kale supper with aquavit. Booking in advance at the inns is recommended.

Highlights Biikebrennen Föhr 2026

13 Biike bonfires in 13 Föhr villages — more than on any other North Frisian island. Experience the UNESCO World Heritage custom live.

Programme Biikebrennen Föhr 2026

Program February 21, 2026

5:45 PM — Start of torchlight procession in Wyk: Event center on Sandwall, accompanied by the youth fire brigade
approx. 6:30 PM — Official welcome and lighting of the main Wyk Biike at Fehrstieg
Simultaneously — Lighting of the 12 other island Biiken in the rural villages: Borgsum, Goting, Hedehusum, Klintum, Midlum, Nieblum, Oevenum, Oldsum, Süderende, Toftum, Utersum, Witsum
Afterwards — Kale supper with aquavit in the inns

More information at foehr.de/traditionen.

Prices Biikebrennen Föhr 2026

Free admission. Kale supper in the inns is at your own expense — advance booking recommended.

Practical information

Practical information — Biikebrennen Föhr

Getting There

Take the Wyker Dampfschiffs-Reederei (W.D.R.) ferry from Dagebüll to Wyk auf Föhr. On the island, use the bus or a bicycle to reach the rural Biiken. For the Wyk torchlight procession, meet at the event center on Sandwall at 5:45 PM.

Admission

Free.

Kale Supper

In Wyk and rural inns — advance booking recommended.

Föhr — The Green Island

Föhr is a North Frisian island in the Wadden Sea, located in the district of Nordfriesland (Schleswig-Holstein), between Amrum and Sylt. With around 8,500 inhabitants and an area of 82 km², it is one of the largest and greenest of the North Frisian islands — hence its nickname, 'The Green Island'. Föhr connects 11 rural villages (Borgsum, Dunsum, Goting, Hedehusum, Klintum, Midlum, Nieblum, Oevenum, Oldsum, Süderende, Toftum, Utersum, Witsum) with the main town of Wyk auf Föhr — a total of 13 island settlements.

13 Biiken — More Than on Any Other Island

The Biikebrennen is a Frisian custom, recognized by UNESCO as intangible cultural heritage since 2014. On the North Frisian islands of Sylt, Föhr, Amrum, and on the mainland, Biiken are lit every February 21st — straw figures are symbolically burned, marking the official end of winter. Föhr is special: 13 Biike bonfires blaze on the island — more than on any other North Sea island. Each village has its own Biike, each village its own tradition.

Wyk as the Central Venue

Föhr's largest Biike is located at Fehrstieg in Wyk. At 5:45 PM, a torchlight procession starts from the event center on Sandwall, accompanied by the youth fire brigade — the march goes through the town center to Fehrstieg. Around 6:30 PM, the Biike is officially lit. Simultaneously, the Biiken in the other Föhr villages are lit — sometimes visible in four or five villages concurrently, an unusual spectacle for an island of this size.

Origin and Significance

The term 'Biike' comes from Frisian and means something like 'fire signal' or 'beacon'. Originally, the fires were lit to wish departing sailors and whalers good luck and a safe journey — many Frisian men sailed on whaling ships in the North Seas until the 19th century. Later, the custom was reinterpreted as a ritual to drive away winter: the straw figure 'Piader' (symbolizing the cold season) is burned, and spring can arrive.