Großes Segeberger Seefest

A Young Festival Format with Great Appeal

The Großes Segeberger Seefest, with its 5th edition in 2026, is a comparatively young but rapidly growing town festival. The organizers are the Bad Segeberg Tourist Info together with Kalkberg Betriebe UG (known for the Karl May Plays). Local clubs are co-organizers — from the DRK to the Scouts and the Big Band. The festival takes place annually on the weekend after Pentecost on the south shore of the Großer Segeberger See — directly below the distinctive Kalkberg.

Sparkassen Stage — Music and Club Program

The focal point of the festival is the Sparkassen stage on the promenade. In 2026, the gospel choir Come2Light will open the program on Saturday at 11 AM, followed by the Swingtime Big Band and the rock-pop band Crossf!eld as the closing act on Saturday evening (7:15 PM–10:00 PM). On Sunday, there will be dance performances, the vocal ensemble Chapters (1 PM), and the acoustic duo Santa & DreaLee (4 PM–6 PM). On the Backofenwiese, DRK kindergartens, the Freie Pfadfinder (Scouts), and the Karl May Plays will provide a children's and family program: bouncy castles, roller slide, play bus, children's book readings.

Heinrich Rantzau Market — 500th Birthday of the Governor

A special focus in 2026 is the Heinrich Rantzau Market — a medieval market celebrating the 500th birthday of the Governor of Schleswig and Holstein (1526–1598) and founder of Bad Segeberg. At the market, you'll find handicrafts, hearty and sweet medieval cuisine, and performances by jugglers, medieval musicians, and fire-eaters at various program points on both days. The market closes one hour before the end of the stage programs each day.

Duck Race, Pre-Party, and "Chill am See""

On Sunday at 3 PM, the duck race organized by Round Table 148 Bad Segeberg will take place — over 1,000 numbered plastic ducks will race across the promenade, with the fastest winning prizes. Tickets can be purchased on-site. The festival weekend kicks off with a pre-party on Friday evening, May 29th, starting at 7 PM at the Lieblingsplatz beach bar — DJ set, bar, and atmosphere right by the lake. For teenagers, there's a dedicated "Chill am See"" area in the 'Lieblingsplatz' lido with outdoor games and swimming facilities.

Bad Segeberg, Kalkberg, and the Großer Segeberger See

Bad Segeberg, with around 18,000 inhabitants, is the district capital of Segeberg and is primarily known for the Karl May Plays at the Kalkberg. The Großer Segeberger See — located directly below the Kalkberg — is the heart of the town: its lido, promenade, and pedal boat rentals attract day-trippers from Hamburg and the entire northern region in the summer. The Seefest turns the lake into a festival stage. Twin towns Võru (Estonia) and Teterow (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) are also present each year with delegations.