Hafenfest Wedel
Maritime family festival at Schulauer Hafen and Willkomm-Höft — three days of Elbe, music, and ship greetings
About Hafenfest Wedel
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Maritime Wedel — the location makes the festival
Wedel is located in the District of Pinneberg in Schleswig-Holstein, directly on the Lower Elbe, about 20 km northwest of Hamburg's city center. With around 35,000 inhabitants, the town is one of the larger ones in the Hamburg metropolitan region — and its maritime identity is omnipresent: Schulauer Hafen, the yacht harbor, the ship greeting facility Willkomm-Höft, the construction site ferry to Cranz on the other side of the Elbe, and the Hakendamm, which connects the Elbe island to the marshland from Hamburg-Cranz.
Schulauer Hafen — Festival grounds with Elbe views
The Schulauer Hafen and the Willkomm-Höft form a connected area directly on the Elbe riverbank. This is where the Hafenfest anchors with its two stages, its stalls, and its festival mile. The Sparkassen-Hauptbühne is hosted by NDR Schleswig-Holstein and serves as the musical center of the festival; the famila-Kulturbühne focuses on cabaret, readings, children's theater, and smaller concerts.
Möwenschrei Competition and Lions Duck Race
Two program points are Wedel originals: The Möwenschrei competition (Seagull Cry Competition) is one of Northern Germany's most absurd and popular sports/comedy disciplines — participants imitate seagull cries, and a jury judges volume, authenticity, and presentation. The Lions Duck Race (2026: 6th edition) is a charity race with thousands of colorful rubber ducks swimming down the Wedeler Au river — the proceeds go to non-profit Lions projects.
Historic Ships and Water Program
A small fleet of historic ships — freighters, schooners, cutters from the era of North German shipyards — anchors at the harbor over the weekend and can be visited. Accompanying program on the water: ship parades, boat processions, activities on the quay. The Willkomm-Höft welcomes large seagoing vessels with the national anthem and flag salute every day, including during the festival weekend.
Festival Mile from Willkomm-Höft to Hakendamm
The festival mile stretches from Willkomm-Höft in the west to Hakendamm in the east — an almost 2 km long promenade with food stalls, club stands, activities for children, and seating areas along the Elbe riverbank. Wedel Marketing has been organizing the festival since its inception (2001).
Hafenfest Wedel — edition 2026
25 Years of Hafenfest — The Anniversary
With the 2026 edition, the Hafenfest Wedel celebrates its 25th anniversary. Since 2001, it has been Wedel's central city celebration and one of the largest maritime summer festivals in the Hamburg metropolitan region.
2026 Program
For three days, the festival takes place between Schulauer Hafen and Willkomm-Höft. The Sparkassen-Hauptbühne, hosted by NDR Schleswig-Holstein, is the musical center with a daily changing program; the famila-Kulturbühne complements it with culture, comedy, and children's programs. Historic ships anchor at the harbor and can be visited, on Sunday the traditional Möwenschrei competition takes place, and the 6th Lions Duck Race sends thousands of colorful ducks down the Wedeler Au for the benefit of non-profit projects.
Programme Hafenfest Wedel 2026
Festival Weekend July 3–5, 2026 — Schulauer Hafen and Willkomm-Höft
- Sparkassen-Hauptbühne — hosted by NDR Schleswig-Holstein, with live music on all three days
- famila-Kulturbühne — culture, comedy, cabaret, children's program
- Historic Ships — visits at Schulauer Hafen, ship parades, boat processions
- Möwenschrei Competition — Northern Germany's most absurd competition
- 6th Lions Duck Race — Charity duck race on the Wedeler Au
- Festival Mile from Willkomm-Höft to Hakendamm — food, club stands, activities for children
The exact daily program will be communicated by the organizer via wedel.de/hafenfest and lokalheldenwedel.de.
Highlights Hafenfest Wedel 2026
- 25th Anniversary — three festival days for the jubilee
- Two stages with NDR Schleswig-Holstein as host
- Historic ships at Schulauer Hafen
- Möwenschrei Competition and 6th Lions Duck Race
- Festival mile almost 2 km from Willkomm-Höft to Hakendamm
Prices Hafenfest Wedel 2026
Free admission. Möwenschrei competition upon registration. Lions Duck Race: buy a duck (donation), proceeds to non-profit Lions projects. Food and drinks are subject to charge.
Practical information — Hafenfest Wedel
Getting There
By S-Bahn: S1 Hamburg-Altona–Wedel, final stop Wedel, from there a 10-minute walk to Schulauer Hafen. By car: A23 exit Pinneberg-Mitte, then B431 to Wedel. During the festival weekend, there are designated traffic routes; parking available at the train station and on the outskirts of town (shuttle service possible).
Admission
Admission to the entire festival grounds, both stages, and the historic ships is free. Möwenschrei competition: participation upon registration. Lions Duck Race: buy a duck (for a donation), win main prizes. Food and drinks are subject to charge.
Contact
Wedel Marketing e.V., Tel. +49 4103 707707. Updated program information at wedel.de and lokalheldenwedel.de.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Hafenfest Wedel
Schulauer Hafen / Willkomm-Höft
Schulauer Hafen, 22880 Wedel