Maritime Days Bremerhaven
The big harbour festival at the New Harbour with traditional sailing ships and live music
About Maritime Days
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Maritime Days al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Harbour Culture to Touch at the New Harbour
When the traditional sailing ships sail into the New Harbour in August, Bremerhaven transforms into one large festival ground by the water. The Maritime Days Bremerhaven is the Seestadt's annual summer harbour festival and a fixed date in the North German event calendar. From August 12th to 16th, 2026, the waterfront will host a packed programme of ship visits, live music, and culinary discoveries – with free admission and right in the heart of Bremerhaven's maritime history.
Tall Ships and Traditional Vessels
The ships are the main attraction. For 2026, the Polish tall ship Dar Mlodziezy, the Alexander von Humboldt II with its distinctive green sails, the Spanish Nao Victoria, the Pascual Flores, the Grossherzogin Elisabeth, and the Dutch topsail schooners Gulden Leeuw and Wylde Swan have confirmed their attendance, among others. Also expected are the Adler von Krautsand, the training ship Deutschland, and the lightship Elbe 1. Many ships offer Open Ship tours – you can go aboard, chat with real sailors, and get a glimpse behind the scenes of life at sea.
Stages, Street Food, and Family Programme
Three stages around the New Harbour host a mix of sea shanty choirs and rock and pop acts. A large street food festival serves specialities from around the world, and harbour tours are available – from short trips to evening cruises with fireworks views. For families, there's the TOGGO Tour with interactive stations, and in the evening, a maritime summer programme creates a lively atmosphere on the quay. The event combines traditional ships, maritime history, and modern work and service boats into a festival that attracts sailors, families, and sightseers from across the region.
Located in the Heart of Bremerhaven
The venue is the New Harbour in the centre of Bremerhaven, close to the German Emigration Center, Klimahaus, and Mediterraneo. Visitors can combine the maritime festival with a stroll through the Havenwelten quarter – harbour culture, museums, and harbour festival all within walking distance.
Maritime Days — edition 2026
From August 12th to 16th, 2026, tall ships and special vessels will dock around Bremerhaven's New Harbour, transforming the harbour festival into a 5-day stage for seafaring, music, culinary delights, and maritime encounters. Approximately 400,000 visitors are expected. Admission is free; harbour tours and Weser cruises are subject to a charge.
Programme Maritime Days 2026
The Maritime Days Bremerhaven 2026 will take place from Wednesday, August 12th, to Sunday, August 16th, 2026, around the New Harbour and Havenwelten. The organiser is Erlebnis Bremerhaven, expecting around 400,000 visitors. Admission is free.
Ships & Open Ship
Confirmed tall ships and traditional vessels (selection):
- Alexander von Humboldt II (Home port Bremerhaven) — the flagship
- Dar Mlodziezy — Polish training ship
- Nao Victoria — replica of Magellan's circumnavigation ship
- Pascual Flores — Spanish three-master
- Grossherzogin Elisabeth (Elsfleth)
- Gulden Leeuw and Wylde Swan (both Netherlands)
- Schulschiff Deutschland, Adler von Krautsand
- Official vessels: Mellum (Coastal Guard), Potsdam (Federal Police), DGzRS lifeboats, Customs, Pilots, and bremenports divers
Open Ship on numerous vessels — directly on board the sailing ships.
Stages & Music
- Radio Bremen Stage at the New Harbour — five days of shanties, rock, and comedy
- Floating Stage in the Old Harbour — local artists
- NEUS Festival at the northern end of the New Harbour — electronic music with around 30 DJs from Bremerhaven's creative scene
Side Programme
- Quay Market with around 250 showmen and stalls
- Street Food Festival with specialities from around the world
- Science Mile
- Family programme and children's activities
- Drone light show with 300 drones
- Grand Fireworks on the final evening (Sunday, August 16th)
Weser Cruises
The tall ships Gulden Leeuw, Wylde Swan, and Grossherzogin Elisabeth offer a total of 17 day and evening cruises, with tickets starting from €65 for a three-hour cruise; full charter from €4,000. Booking at bremerhaven-erleben.de/maritimetage/toerns.
Highlights Maritime Days 2026
- Tall ship parade featuring Alexander von Humboldt II, Dar Mlodziezy, Nao Victoria, Pascual Flores, Gulden Leeuw, Wylde Swan, and many more.
- Drone light show with 300 drones and grand fireworks on Sunday evening
- NEUS Festival with around 30 DJs at the northern end of the New Harbour
- Radio Bremen Stage, floating stage in the Old Harbour, Quay Market with 250 exhibitors
- 17 Weser cruises on the tall ships — starting from €65 for three hours
Prices Maritime Days 2026
Practical information — Maritime Days
Getting There
The New Harbour is centrally located in the Mitte district of Bremerhaven, within walking distance of the main train station and easily accessible by bus and train. Parking is available in the Havenwelten car parks.
Admission
Admission to the festival grounds is free. Individual programme items, such as harbour tours, may be subject to a charge.
Contact
Erlebnis Bremerhaven GmbH, [email protected], Phone +49 471 80936100.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
Max. 5 photos, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Spotted an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Each suggestion is reviewed by our team before being published.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Maritime Days al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Maritime Days
Neuer Hafen Bremerhaven
Neuer Hafen, 27568 Bremerhaven