Hafenfest meets German Classics Laboe
Classic Yachts and Harbour Festival on the Kiel Fjord
About Hafenfest Laboe
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The German Classics in Laboe
The German Classics are one of Germany's most important classic yacht regatta events. Here, historic and replica classic wooden yachts, schooners, ketches, and sailing dinghies from the 19th and early 20th centuries compete against each other – on the Kiel Fjord, in front of the majestic Laboe Naval Memorial. The festival combines the sporting regatta culture with a covered harbour festival on land.
Laboe – the Maritime Town on the Fjord
Laboe, in the Plön district of Schleswig-Holstein, is located on the eastern shore of the Kiel Fjord, directly at the exit to the Baltic Sea. With the 85-meter-high Naval Memorial, the U-995 Submarine Museum, and an active harbour, the town is one of the country's maritime hotspots. The harbour festival takes place in mid-August and uses this setting for a four-day programme.
Daytime Programme: Regattas on the Water
- Classic Yachts — Schooners, ketches, yawls, classic rowing boats
- Several Race Classes according to boat type and size
- Start and Finish Line within sight of the Naval Memorial
- Support Boats and observation trips for guests
- Berths for participating yachts in Laboe's commercial harbour
Evening Programme: Harbour Festival on Land
When the yachts return to the harbour in the late afternoon, the harbour festival begins on the harbour forecourt with the following concept:
- Live Music on the harbour stage — sea shanty choirs, acoustic bands, classics of Northern German pop culture
- Culinary Offerings for all age groups — from fish rolls to grilled steak
- Yacht Open Ship: You can visit the classic boats by prior arrangement
- Maritime Themes with demonstrations, knot-tying courses, sailor evenings
- Family Programme with a mini sailing regatta for children, games, and craft activities
Atmosphere
The Hafenfest meets German Classics is a rare combination of sporting elegance and popular festivity. The mix of elegantly dressed yacht crews, local Laboe residents, day-trippers from Kiel, and classic yacht enthusiasts from all over Germany creates its charm. You will experience Northern Germany in its maritime identity — calm, tradition-conscious, yet lively.
Hafenfest Laboe — edition 2026
Four Days of Harbour Festival
The 2026 edition follows the proven concept: Classic yacht regattas during the day, festival mile at the harbour forecourt in the evening. The event is organised by the Laboe Tourist Information in collaboration with the German Classics organisers.
Key Dates 2026
- August 13–16, 2026, four days
- Laboe Harbour Forecourt
- Regattas on the Kiel Fjord
- Open Ship Visits
- Live music from several bands in the evening
Programme Hafenfest Laboe 2026
Detailed programme available soon on laboe-event.de. The following structure is expected based on experience:
Thursday, August 13, 2026 — Opening
- 10:00 AM — Arrival of participating classic yachts in Laboe harbour, rigging and preparations
- 5:00 PM — Official opening of the harbour festival by Laboe Tourist Information
- 6:00 PM — First concert on the main stage
- 8:00 PM — Skippers' welcome and reception
Friday–Saturday, August 14/15, 2026 — Regatta Days
- 9:00 AM — Skippers' briefing
- 11:00 AM–5:00 PM — Yacht Regattas on the Kiel Fjord off the Naval Memorial
- 5:00 PM — Return of yachts to the harbour, Open Ship visits
- 6:00 PM–12:00 AM — Harbour festival with live music (sea shanty choirs, acoustic bands), culinary delights, family programme
Sunday, August 16, 2026 — Finale and Festival Conclusion
- 10:00 AM — Final race of the classic regattas
- 2:00 PM — Award ceremony at the harbour forecourt
- 3:00 PM — Family programme with mini-regatta for children
- 5:00 PM — Live music until the end of the festival
- 8:00 PM — Official end of the event
Highlights Hafenfest Laboe 2026
- Classic yacht regattas on the Kiel Fjord
- Harbour festival on the forecourt with live music
- Open Ship visits of classic boats
- Family programme with children's mini-regatta
- Naval Memorial as a backdrop
Prices Hafenfest Laboe 2026
Harbour festival on the harbour forecourt is free to enter. Open Ship visits must be booked through the Tourist Information. Food and drinks charged per stand. Some special concerts require an admission ticket.
Practical information — Hafenfest Laboe
Getting There
By car via the A24 and B502 to Laboe. By ferry from Schlepp- und Fährgesellschaft (SFK) from Kiel-Reventlou to Laboe. By bus or city bus from Kiel (Line 100/102).
Tickets
Harbour festival on the harbour forecourt is freely accessible. Open Ship visits can be booked via the Laboe Tourist Information (+49 4343 4275-50). Some concerts require a separate ticket — check laboe-event.de.
Accommodation
Guesthouses and holiday apartments in Laboe, as well as hotels in Heikendorf and Kiel. Mid-August is high season — book early.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Hafenfest Laboe al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Hafenfest Laboe
Hafenvorplatz Laboe
Hafenvorplatz, 24235 Laboe