Maritime Week Bremen

Bremen's Maritime Heart Beats on the Weser

Bremen has been connected to the sea since the Middle Ages. As a member of the Hanseatic League, the home port of one of Germany's most important shipping companies, and home to a university and numerous marine research institutes, its maritime identity is deeply rooted. The Maritime Week makes this connection tangible for everyone every year in September – right on the water, at the Schlachte and in the historic city center.

Discover: First Festival Week

The first few days are themed Look, Celebrate, Research – with a focus on research. Exhibitions at the Schlachte and in the adjacent city center offer a glimpse into the world of shipping, port logistics, and marine sciences. Guided tours take you aboard ships, into port basins, or to research facilities. Lectures and discussions with scientists, shipowners, and port operators shed light on Bremen's maritime economy and science.

Celebrate: The Closing Weekend

The highlight arrives on the final weekend of the Maritime Week: the Schlachte transforms into a festival mile with live music on several stages, international cuisine, markets, and activities. The spectacular dragon boat races on the Weser and the traditional evening light parade, where numerous illuminated boats sail downstream towards Vegesack, are major draws. Tens of thousands of spectators line the banks to witness the spectacle.

A Hanseatic Tradition

The Maritime Week is organized by CityInitiative Bremen Werbung. It sees itself as a bridge between Bremen's centuries-old maritime tradition and modern port, marine, and climate research. The close integration of economy, science, and a public festival makes the Maritime Week unique in the German event calendar.