An entire port city celebrates culture — with free admission
When concerts, plays, readings, and tours begin simultaneously on a June evening in Bremerhaven, it's the Long Night of Culture. Spread across the entire city area, numerous stages transform the port city into one large cultural space — from Lehe to the Alte Bürger and the fishing harbor to Geestemünde. Museums, churches, galleries, and theaters open their doors together, and many places that are usually closed to the public reveal themselves. Admission is free everywhere, allowing you to create your own path through the cultural night in the state of Bremen.
The program is deliberately broad: music of all genres, theater, workshops, choral music, organ concerts, sounds from the Middle Ages and Renaissance, short films, graffiti art with live performance, exhibitions, and city walks for all generations. The offerings range from the Historical Museum and the German Emigration Center to the Kulturkirche and the puppet theater in the fishing harbor — diverse and something for every taste. Program changes are possible even on the day of the event, giving the night a lively, experimental character.
Bremerhaven was founded in 1827 by Bremen's mayor Johann Smidt when the Hanseatic city on the Weser estuary acquired land from the Kingdom of Hanover to secure a deep-sea port. From this young city, founded exclusively on the port and the sea, a self-confident maritime metropolis has emerged — with the German Emigration Center and the Klimahaus as well-known landmarks. The Long Night of Culture has been held since the early 2000s and is firmly anchored in Bremerhaven's event calendar. It reflects the self-image of a city that celebrates its culture in an accessible and inclusive way. In the years leading up to the 200th anniversary of the city in 2027, the editions are held under mottos that are steaming full speed towards the grand anniversary — a homage to the city's maritime past.
The 2026 edition is under the motto 199 years – steaming full speed towards the anniversary, thus preparing for the 200th city anniversary in 2027, for which the next Long Night of Culture is already scheduled for June 12, 2027. Spread across the entire city area, around 45 stages will open — museums, churches, galleries, and theaters. Program changes are also possible on the day of the event.
On Saturday, June 13, 2026, the Long Night of Culture 2026 will feature around 45 stages from north to south under the motto 199 years – steaming full speed towards the anniversary. Music, workshops, theater, unusual guided tours, art installations, and dance will be offered — everywhere in the port city, with free admission. The complete stage plan will be published before the event on the official website; already announced program points:
In addition, as in previous years, the Historical Museum, the Kulturkirche, the puppet theater in the fishing harbor, the TiF, and numerous galleries and neighborhood venues from Lehe via Alte Burger to Geestemünde will open. The continuously updated stage plan is available at lange-nacht-der-kultur.de.
The venues are spread across the entire Bremerhaven city area, from Lehe to the Alte Bürger and the fishing harbor to Geestemünde. Buses and trains connect the districts; many locations are accessible on foot or by bike.
Admission to all events is free. Program changes are possible on the day of the event; the full program is available at lange-nacht-der-kultur.de. Information on accessibility for individual venues is available.
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Kulturorte in ganz Bremerhaven
Verschiedene Kulturorte im gesamten Stadtgebiet, 27568 Bremerhaven