Maritime Festwoche Brake — 170 Years City Anniversary

Maritime Festwoche Brake — 170 Years of City, Nine Days of Maritime Festival Culture

With the Maritime Festwoche, the city of Brake (Unterweser) is celebrating its 170th city anniversary in 2026. The Brake Tourism Association has reimagined the traditional three-day inner harbour festival and expanded it into a full festival week — from August 22nd to 30th. Nine days of programming between the inner harbour, the city centre, and the Centraltheater combine maritime tradition, sporting competitions, cultural highlights, and a convivial harbour atmosphere.

Kick-off with Cutter Pulling

The festival week opens on Saturday, August 22nd, with the traditional Kutterpullen (cutter pulling) — a rowing regatta with fishing boats in the inner harbour. Teams from the region compete against each other in a sporting contest that simultaneously celebrates the port city's maritime heritage.

Family Programme and Readings

Sunday, August 23rd, is dedicated to the Entenrennen (duck race) for families and a large Flohmarkt (flea market). Monday and Wednesday feature Maritime Lesung (maritime reading) and Maritimer Filmabend im Centraltheater (maritime film night at the Centraltheater) for cultural accents — literature and film revolving around the sea, shipping, and the harbour.

Summer Lounge and Lowland Games

On Thursday, August 27th, the Summer Lounge with Live Music invites you to the harbour basin in a relaxed atmosphere. Friday, August 28th, combines a Hafenführung (harbour tour) with the Lowland Games — sporty and playful disciplines that actively involve the harbour audience.

Medieval and Pirate Market on the Weekend

Saturday, August 29th, brings a themed market with costumed traders, show fights, games, and interactive stations with the Mittelalter- und Piratenmarkt (medieval and pirate market). Sunday, August 30th, concludes the festival week with a Festgottesdienst (festive church service) and a second Flohmarkt (flea market).

A Festival Week for the City

With the Maritime Festwoche, Brake underscores its maritime identity while also focusing on modernising the festival concept. The three-day inner harbour festival is expanded to nine days with a significantly broader target audience — from families and culture enthusiasts to sports and harbour friends. The event is organised by the Brake Tourism Association in collaboration with the city and numerous partners.