Erntedankfest Museumshof Lensahn

The Museumshof Lensahn

The Museumshof Lensahn is an open-air museum in the Ostholstein district, about 30 kilometers north of Lübeck. The spacious grounds feature historic farmhouses, barns, a thatched-roof cottage, and workshops — a journey into the rural world of Schleswig-Holstein in the 19th and early 20th centuries. The farm is operated by a support association as an extracurricular learning site and a venue for regional customs.

Thanksgiving: Bread, Crown, Blessing

The Erntedankfest on the first Sunday in October is a fixed event in the farm's calendar. It begins with the bread consecration in the morning — an ecumenical service in the historic barn, often with a pastor from Lensahn. Afterward, the historic rooms and workshops open their doors, and hands-on stations are set up: basket weaving, apple pressing, potato printing, bread baking. On the farm, the farmer reenactors show how the harvest was processed in the past — from the flail to the horse-drawn wagon.

Family Event in Autumn

The farm is geared towards families: a petting zoo with sheep, goats, and chickens, hands-on workshops, and a farm café with cakes from its own bakery. Admission to the Erntedankfest is free; donations are welcome. Following the Erntedankfest, the Museumshof will host further autumn highlights: Oktoberfest on October 10th, Apple Festival on October 18th, St. Martin's Market on November 20th/21st.

Thanksgiving in the Ostholstein District

In the state of Schleswig-Holstein, Thanksgiving has strong roots — many villages celebrate corresponding church services, and harvest crowns are woven in the churches. The Museumshof Lensahn embraces this tradition and makes it accessible to the general public.