Bootskorso on the Schwielochsee

The Schwielochsee — Brandenburg's Largest Natural Lake

With almost 1,330 hectares, the Schwielochsee in the south of the Dahme-Spreewald district is Brandenburg's largest natural lake – not a opencast mine, not a reservoir, but a body of water formed during the Ice Age. The five districts of the Schwielochsee municipality – Goyatz, Jessern, Mochow, Niewisch, and Ressen – are spread around its shores. Goyatz is the traditional tourist centre on the west bank, with its lakeside stage, yacht club harbour, and promenade.

Bootskorso — A Brandenburg Summer Tradition

The Bootskorso on the Schwielochsee is a traditional summer festival that takes place every year on the first weekend in August. The organiser is the voluntary Schwielochsee Tourist Association (Fremdenverkehrsverein Schwielochsee e.V.), which has been organising the festival for years. The concept: During the day, there's a festival atmosphere at the lakeside stage and on Goyatz village square, in the evening boats and yachts gather in the harbour and parade across the lake, illuminated. At nightfall, the grand fireworks display follows – a spectacle over the wide expanse of water.

Programme Highlights — From "Goyatz tanzt" to the Fireworks

The typical programme includes:

• 5:00 PM — "Goyatz tanzt" (Goyatz Dances): Live music and dancing on the Goyatz lakeside stage, free admission to the stage.
• 7:30 PM — Boat Gathering: Yachts, sailing boats, and motorboats gather in the See- und Yachtclub harbour in Goyatz for the procession.
• At dusk — Boat Parade: The illuminated boats move across the lake, with each crew competing for the most beautiful lighting.
• At nightfall — Fireworks: The grand aerial fireworks display over the lake, visible from both shores.

Schwielochsee 2026 — Date and Admission

For 2026, the Bootskorso is scheduled for the first weekend in August – a traditional date that the tourist association has maintained for years. The exact date in 2026 will be announced a few weeks before the festival on the event calendar of the Dahme-Seenland tourism association and on the website of the Schwielochsee municipality. Admission to the festival grounds is €10 (adults), children under 14 free.

Schwielochsee in the Niederlausitz Region

The municipality of Schwielochsee is located in the south of the Dahme-Spreewald district, between the Spreewald and Lusatia (Lausitz). Berlin is about 100 km away – by train, you can reach Lübben or Lübbenau, from where buses run to Goyatz. The federal state of Brandenburg is very sparsely populated here; the Schwielochsee is considered a hidden gem for sailors, anglers, and those seeking relaxation. The Bootskorso is the annual cultural highlight on the lake.