Heiligenhafener Hafenfesttage

Maritime Volksfest for almost 50 years

The Heiligenhafener Hafenfesttage were launched in the late 1970s and have developed into one of the largest maritime Volksfeste on the Schleswig-Holstein Baltic coast in their almost half-century history. In 2026, the 49th edition will run for ten days — from Friday, July 17th, to Sunday, July 26th. The organizer is Heiligenhafen Touristik in cooperation with local clubs and restaurateurs. Admission is free, underscoring the Volksfest character.

Harbour Stage and Concert Lineup 2026

The 2026 musical program covers the entire spectrum from tribute concerts to Schlager music:

• Fantastic Blues Brothers Band (14-piece tribute show, July 19th) — Germany's most popular Blues Brothers tribute show with a brass section, soul vocals, and comedy elements
• Voodoo Lounge — Rolling Stones tribute
• Anna-Maria Zimmermann — Schlager
• Backdrop — 80s cover band
• United Four — Party Metal band
• Other local and national acts on the harbour stage

The harbour stage is the central venue and offers free concerts daily against the maritime backdrop of the harbour basin.

“HeiligenHAVEFUN” Parade

The highlight of the first festival week is the parade on July 19th with the motto “HeiligenHAVEFUN”. The parade winds through the town centre and ends at the harbour — clubs, schools, carnival groups, traditional costume wearers, and creative participants form the colourful picture. The parade has been an integral part of the Hafenfesttage since the 1990s and is considered the most important parade of the year in the town.

Open Ship, Pirate Land, and Culinary Delights

Numerous historical and modern ships will be available for viewing at the harbour basin during the festival days — Open Ship events offer a look below deck. For children, there is the Pirate Land with play stations, treasure hunts, and small competitions. Culinary, the Hafenfesttage have a maritime focus: prawn rolls, fish rolls, fried fish, grilled mackerel, smoked fish — along with classic festival food, cocktails, and craft beers.

Season Finale with Laser Show

The crowning finale of the ten days is a spectacular laser show on the last festival evening (July 26th). Unlike many other maritime Volksfeste, Heiligenhafen has forgone a traditional pyrotechnic fireworks display for several years, opting instead for a choreographed laser show over the harbour basin — quieter, more environmentally friendly, and visually cutting-edge.

Heiligenhafen on the Lübeck Bay

Heiligenhafen, with around 9,000 inhabitants, is one of Schleswig-Holstein's most famous Baltic Sea resorts and is located in the Ostholstein district on the northern Lübeck Bay — not far from the bridge to Fehmarn. The harbour is a sports, fishing, and yacht harbour all at once. The Hafenfesttage are the most important summer event in the town's calendar and attract over 100,000 visitors from all over Northern Germany annually.