May Parade and Dance into May Göhren

Customs on the Mönchgut Peninsula

The May parade and the subsequent Dance into May are among Göhren's oldest traditional events. On Rügen, an island with Slavic, Low German, and Danish roots, the May festival has a special history: it combines the Hanseatic spring reception with the rural May dances of Mecklenburg tradition.

Day's Schedule

• Afternoon – Gathering at the Nordperdhalle parking lot
• Late Afternoon – Parade, led by the fanfares of the Sellin Baltic Sea resort
• Stops through Göhren to Ruth-Bahls-Platz
• Erection of the decorated Maypole by the children of Göhren
• From 6:30 PM – Dance into May at the fire station on Max-Dreyer-Straße
• Music: Duo Memory with Schlager, pop, and folk classics

Maypole as a Symbol

The Maypole, often a decorated birch or fir tree, is the centerpiece of many May festivals throughout Germany. In Göhren, the local youth decorates it with colorful ribbons – a deliberately accessible family ritual that fosters the connection between tradition and the new generation.

Dance at the Fire Station

The Dance into May takes place at the local fire station, which is transformed into an improvised ballroom for the occasion in May. Duo Memory provides the music – a classic Schlager and pop program that appeals to multiple generations simultaneously. Admission is free, both for the parade and the dance.

Region and Organizers

The event is organized by the Göhren Baltic Sea Resort Tourist Information Office in cooperation with the local volunteer fire department and associations. Integrated into the summer event calendar of Rügen Island, the May parade marks the official start of the warm season in the Vorpommern-Rügen district.