Karpfenfest Reinfeld

Reinfeld — the Carp Town

Reinfeld (Holstein) doesn't bear its nickname by chance: as early as the 13th century, Cistercian monks established extensive pond systems here, where carp were bred for Lent. The Reinfeld carp farming tradition continues to this day and is the only remaining professional carp farm in Schleswig-Holstein. The carp is the town's coat of arms, logo, identity marker — and the namesake of its most important festival.

The Festival Program: On the Bank and on the Water

For several days around the last weekend of August, the bank of the Herrenteich lake transforms into a festival mile: on the Karpfenplatz (Carp Square), there are rides, showmen, and food stalls; along the Seepromenade (Lake Promenade), a Gourmet Tent offers regional dishes, a Disco Stage for younger audiences, and the large Karpfenbühne (Carp Stage) with live music. On the water, model boat regattas, rowing regattas, and the traditional pedal boat race for the Carp Cup take place — a humorous event that has brought generations of Reinfeld residents onto the water.

Highlights: Fireworks and Illuminated Boat Parade

Festival highlights include the fireworks display on Friday evening, which becomes a double spectacle with its reflections on the lake, as well as the evening illuminated boat parade across the Herrenteich lake — a Reinfeld specialty that transforms the water into a shimmering carpet of lights.

Nestled in the Stormarn District

Reinfeld is located in the Stormarn district of the state of Schleswig-Holstein, about halfway between Hamburg and Lübeck, on the A1 motorway. The Karpfenfest accordingly attracts visitors from both major cities, as well as from the entire Stormarn district and the neighboring Ostholstein district. The alliance of around 30 Reinfeld organizations jointly supports the festival — from sports clubs to the carp farm.