Herring Festival Altefähr

Spring Festival on the Strelasund

The Heringsfest Altefähr takes place annually on May 1st on the beach promenade of the municipality of Altefähr. The local clubs and associations are the organizers, who have been managing the festival independently for many years. The focus is on herring – the "silver of the Baltic Sea" – prepared in numerous ways: from homemade herring salad to grilled fish and smoked specialties.

Program and Stalls

In addition to the fish stalls, visitors can expect a varied supporting program: live music, amusement rides, regional delicacies, drink stands, and activities for children. The beach promenade, with its view of the Strelasund and the old town of Stralsund on the opposite mainland shore, provides an atmospheric backdrop.

Maritime Season Opener

The Herring Festival on Labor Day marks the start of the summer tourist season for Altefähr and the island of Rügen. It is part of the "Rügen Herring Weeks," which celebrate the herring season every spring – with special menus in restaurants, boat tours by the Weiße Flotte (White Fleet), and culinary events along the coast.

Regional Context

Altefähr is located in the district of Vorpommern-Rügen (Mecklenburg-Vorpommern) on the western tip of the island of Rügen, directly opposite the UNESCO World Heritage city of Stralsund. The municipality owes its name to the centuries-old ferry connection to the mainland. The Herring Festival preserves the region's maritime fishing tradition.