Datteln meets on the Canal

Water City Datteln

Datteln calls itself the "City of Waterways" — and rightly so: near the city lies the famous Datteln Waterways Intersection, where the Dortmund-Ems Canal, Datteln-Hamm Canal, Wesel-Datteln Canal, and Rhine-Herne Canal meet — a hub of European inland navigation. This water identity is celebrated in the summer with a charming meeting event: „Datteln trifft sich am Kanal“.

June 26, 2026 — Third Edition at the Mooring Harbor

The third edition takes place on Friday, June 26, 2026, starting at 6:00 PM at the Alten Liegehafen (Old Mooring Harbor) — a former harbor facility on the Datteln-Hamm Canal, now used as a meeting and recreation area. What's happening:

• Live music on the open-air stage — the specific band will be announced shortly before the date
• Refreshments by the participating clubs — Kanu-Klub and Ruderverein will offer drinks and snacks
• Additionally, a harbor restaurant with extended outdoor seating
• Relaxed atmosphere — seating by the water's edge, views of the water, summer evening vibes

Three Clubs as Organizers

Behind the event are three entities with a clear connection to the water:

• Kanu-Klub Datteln 1928 e.V. — almost 100 years old, one of the traditional water sports clubs in the region
• Ruderverein Datteln 1928 e.V. — founded concurrently, also with almost 100 years of tradition
• City Marketing of Datteln — as the municipal partner and coordinator

This combination of two traditional water sports clubs and the city administration creates an event that is both club-driven and promoted city-wide.

"Cool drinks and nice people"

The event's promise is intentionally accessible: a relaxed summer evening by the water, with cool drinks and nice people. No large-scale event, no pressure to consume, no festival hustle — simply an evening where the district and the water sports community meet, enjoy the weather, and start the summer.

Datteln on the Canal

The Alte Liegehafen is located on the Datteln-Hamm Canal, one of the canals that run through Datteln. In the past, the harbor served as a mooring place for cargo ships; today, the facility has been repurposed and is used as a meeting point and event venue. The harbor atmosphere with its old quayside walls, bollards, and passing ships is part of its charm.

Datteln — City of Waterways

Datteln (around 35,000 inhabitants) is located on the northern edge of the Ruhr area, in the district of Recklinghausen. With the waterways intersection, several harbors, and the Datteln-Hamm Canal as a connecting waterway, the city is firmly linked to inland navigation. „Datteln trifft sich am Kanal“ is a small but identity-strengthening event that makes this water DNA visible annually.