Glückstädter Matjeswochen
59th Edition — North Germany's most famous herring festival on the second Thursday in June
About Matjeswochen Glückstadt
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A Hanseatic City Celebrates its Herring
Glückstadt — the fortress and harbour city founded in 1617 on the Elbe — has been a centre for herring processing for centuries. The Glückstädter Matjes, still hand-processed today according to a traditional recipe, is a protected geographical indication. In 1968, the then-mayor Manfred Bruhn initiated the Matjeswochen — and since then, the city has celebrated the start of the Matjes season every year on the second Thursday in June as a major Volksfest (public festival).
Opening and Tradition
The opening ritual is a spectacle in itself: On Thursday at 4:00 PM, dignitaries gather in the historic market square for the Matjes tasting — the first Matjes of the season is ceremonially tasted. Mayor Rolf Apfeld and VGV representative Heike Püster officially open the festival. After that, the whole city goes full throttle for four days.
What You'll Experience
- Market and Harbour Stage with live music — Rock, Pop, Shanty, Folk music — throughout all four days
- Open Ship Mile — historical and modern ships can be boarded along the harbour promenade
- Harbour Games — water competitions and maritime hands-on activities
- Matjes Mile with Flea Market — city centre flea market on Saturday (9 AM–6 PM) and Sunday (9 AM–5 PM)
- Children's Flea Market — Sunday (10 AM–5 PM) at Norderfleth
- Duck Race — 26th edition, Friday, June 12th, 6:01 PM: 2,000 rubber ducks race down the Fleth, organised by Round Table Glückstadt for charitable purposes
- Matjes-walk Guided Tours — on Thursday and Friday at 2 PM for €10, a walk through the history of herring processing
Glückstadt in the Steinburg District
Glückstadt is located in the Steinburg district in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, directly on the Elbe, about 60 km northwest of Hamburg. The historic fortress with its hexagonal layout, the inner harbour with the Matjes factories, and the old town make the Hanseatic city one of the most distinctive places on the Lower Elbe. During the Matjeswochen, the city is in a state of emergency — restaurants, guesthouses, and the surrounding area are booked out weeks in advance.
Matjeswochen Glückstadt — edition 2026
2026 Programme
The 59th edition of the Glückstädter Matjeswochen starts on Thursday, June 11th, 2026, with the Matjes tasting at 4:00 PM in the historic market square: Mayor Rolf Apfeld and VGV representative Heike Püster traditionally open the new season with the first bite of Matjes. Four days of festival programme follow.
2026 Highlights
- Thursday, June 11th, 4:00 PM — Opening and Matjes tasting in the market square
- Friday, June 12th, 6:01 PM — 26th Glückstädter Duck Race: 2,000 rubber ducks race down the Fleth (Round Table Glückstadt)
- Saturday, June 13th, 9 AM–6 PM — Matjes Mile Flea Market
- Sunday, June 14th, 9 AM–5 PM — Matjes Mile Flea Market
- Sunday, June 14th, 10 AM–5 PM — Children's Flea Market at Norderfleth
- All 4 Days — Live music on the market and harbour stages (Rock, Pop, Shanty, Folk music)
- All 4 Days — Open Ship Mile along the harbour promenade
- Thursday and Friday, 2:00 PM — Matjes-walk guided tour through the history of herring processing (€10)
Programme Matjeswochen Glückstadt 2026
Thursday, June 11th, 2026
- 2:00 PM — Matjes-walk guided tour (Meeting point Tourist Info, €10)
- 4:00 PM — Official opening and Matjes tasting in the market square
- From 5:00 PM — Live music on market and harbour stages
Friday, June 12th, 2026
- 2:00 PM — Matjes-walk guided tour
- 6:01 PM — 26th Glückstädter Duck Race on the Fleth (2,000 rubber ducks)
- From 5:00 PM — Live music
Saturday, June 13th, 2026
- 9:00 AM–6:00 PM — Matjes Mile Flea Market (City Centre)
- All Day — Harbour Games, Open Ships
- Evening — Main concerts on harbour and market square stages
Sunday, June 14th, 2026
- 9:00 AM–5:00 PM — Matjes Mile Flea Market
- 10:00 AM–5:00 PM — Children's Flea Market at Norderfleth
- Afternoon — Closing concerts
Highlights Matjeswochen Glückstadt 2026
Prices Matjeswochen Glückstadt 2026
Practical information — Matjeswochen Glückstadt
Getting There
By car via the A23 (exit Itzehoe-Nord), then B5 towards Glückstadt. By train from Hamburg to Glückstadt (Regional Express, approx. 70 min) — the station is right on the outskirts of the city. Parking in the city centre is scarce during the Matjeswochen; use park-and-ride services.
Admission
Free admission. Food, drinks, boat trips, and guided tours are paid for on-site. Matjes-walk guided tour: €10.
On Site
The market square and inner harbour are the central festival areas. The Matjes Mile with flea market extends throughout the city centre. Restaurants serve Matjes in all variations — from the classic Bismarck to modern interpretations.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Matjeswochen Glückstadt al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Matjeswochen Glückstadt
Marktplatz und Binnenhafen Glückstadt
Markt, 25348 Glückstadt