Hafenfest Ditzum
Maritime Volksfest on the Ems riverbank with cutter parade, shanty choirs, and the steamship Prinz Heinrich
About Hafenfest Ditzum
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Ditzum — the most beautiful fishing village on the Ems
Since the administrative reform, Ditzum has been part of the municipality of Jemgum and is located directly at the mouth of the Ems, opposite Emden. The historic fishing harbor is one of East Frisia's most famous tourist postcard motifs: old crab cutters, colorful facades, the church, and the pier form a striking silhouette. Once a year, the Hafenfest turns this backdrop into a Volksfest celebrating the village's maritime identity.
Market mile between the pier and the village square
A long market mile with a flea, hobby, and craft market stretches along the harbor and adjacent streets. Vendors from the Rheiderland region, from the neighboring Netherlands, and from all over southern East Frisia present products, handicrafts, and collector's items. Local clubs and restaurateurs provide catering with regional specialties — crabs, smoked fish, East Frisian tea, and punch.
Cutter parade, shanty choirs, and steamship
Highlights include the cutter parade on Saturday afternoon, where the fishing boats, festively decorated, sail past on the Ems, as well as performances by several shanty choirs at the pier and in the festival tents. On Saturday afternoon, the steamship Prinz Heinrich docks in the harbor and offers special Ems river tours. On Sunday, the traditional journey from Ditzum to Leer takes place.
Family-friendly and free of charge
The Hafenfest is free to enter and particularly family-friendly. Both days are open continuously from midday to late afternoon, between 11 AM and 6 PM. Those who want to experience East Frisia from its maritime, rural side will find one of the most authentic experiences here.
Hafenfest Ditzum — edition 2026
The 2026 edition continues the proven concept of the maritime harbor festival in the Rheiderland fishing village. Even at the market opening in the morning, the harbor streets and pier fill with market visitors and participants. The cutter parade on Saturday around 1:30 PM has been the crowd-pleasing highlight for years. On Saturday evening, the steamship Prinz Heinrich docks in the harbor.
On Sunday, July 5th, 2026, the steamship Prinz Heinrich will travel on the Ems from Ditzum to Leer (Ernst-Reuter-Platz) — the Ems journey is a separate program component of the Hafenfest weekend.
Programme Hafenfest Ditzum 2026
Confirmed Program Points 2026
- Sat 04.07. + Sun 05.07.2026, 11:00 AM–6:00 PM — Flea, hobby, and craft market
- Sat 04.07.2026, approx. 1:30 PM — Cutter parade on the Ems
- Sat 04.07.2026 — Performances by several shanty choirs
- Sat 04.07.2026, from approx. 4:00 PM — Steamship Prinz Heinrich in Ditzum harbor
- Sun 05.07.2026 — Ems journey Ditzum–Leer with the steamship Prinz Heinrich
- Both days — catering by local clubs and restaurateurs
Highlights Hafenfest Ditzum 2026
- Cutter parade on the Ems
- Shanty choirs on several stages
- Docking and special tour of the steamship Prinz Heinrich
- Authentic maritime Volksfest, free admission
Prices Hafenfest Ditzum 2026
Practical information — Hafenfest Ditzum
Date 2026
Saturday, July 4th and Sunday, July 5th, 2026, from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM each day.
Location
Harbor and village center Ditzum, part of the municipality of Jemgum, 26844.
Program Highlights
- Flea, hobby, and craft market along the harbor mile
- Performances by several shanty choirs
- Cutter parade on Saturday around 1:30 PM
- Steamship Prinz Heinrich in the harbor on Saturday from approx. 4:00 PM
- Ems journey Ditzum–Leer on Sunday, July 5th, 2026
Admission
Free admission. Special tickets for the Ems journey with the steamship are available via the organizer and at touristik-leer.de.
Getting There
By car via the country roads of the Rheiderland. In summer, a ferry connection from Ditzum to Petkum for Emden.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Hafenfest Ditzum al mejor precio.
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