Ecumenical Baptism Festival Bremerhaven

Baptism under the open sky on the Weser

The ecumenical baptism festival in Bremerhaven is one of the most impressive church festivals in the port city. Instead of in a church, people of all ages are baptized here in the open air – at the Weser lido, right by the water. After a joint service, the families go to the water's edge, where the individual baptisms are administered. Nearly 1,200 guests gather every year.

The ecumenical character is special: all communities of the Evangelical Lutheran Church District of Bremerhaven, the Reformed Community Bremerhaven, the Große Kirche, and the Catholic Community in Bremerhaven are involved. Different denominations celebrate a festival of faith and community together here.

A North German summer festival of faith

Baptism festivals by the water have gained significant importance in North Germany in recent years. They combine the Christian baptism tradition with the maritime character of the region: water as the element of baptism and, at the same time, the lifeline of the port city of Bremerhaven. The open, summery atmosphere also makes the festival interesting for guests who are not being baptized themselves.

Open to all

The celebration is public – anyone who just wants to watch and celebrate along is welcome. Those who wish to be baptized themselves or have a child baptized should register in advance with the Bremerhaven Church District. The baptism festival takes place in the Geestemünde district and is part of the growing tradition of North German open-air baptism festivals.