Dümmer Matjesfest Damme

Smoking Tradition at Dümmer See

The Dümmer See, with its 13.5 square kilometers, is the second-largest lake in Lower Saxony and has been an important freshwater fishing ground for centuries. Eel and trout, in particular, were traditionally caught here and processed in local smokehouses. The Hoffmann Eel and Trout Smokehouse in the Damme district of Dümmerlohausen preserves this tradition to this day and has also established itself as an excursion destination with its annual Matjesfest.

Matjes as a Seasonal Product

Matjes is a special preparation of young herring, caught before its first spawning and matured in a salt-ripening brine to develop its characteristic soft, mild herring specialty. The Matjes season is traditionally in early summer – hence the festival's typical date in June. Fresh Matjes on rye bread, with onions and pickles, is the culinary centerpiece of the day.

Open Smokehouse

A special feature of the festival is the open smokehouse. Visitors can experience the smoking process up close: smoked fish over beechwood and alderwood, traditional smoking chambers, and the processing of eel and trout. This transparency makes the festival an authentic insight into a dying food craft.

Music and Children's Entertainment

The festival is designed as a family outing. Live music with a North German repertoire – sea shanties, folk, pop, and traditional music – creates a lively atmosphere. Bouncy castles, face painting, and small interactive stations entertain the youngest guests. Food and drinks, including beer, wine, soft drinks, coffee, and cake, complete the offering.