Maritime Week Bremen
Bremen's festival celebrating shipping, marine science, and port culture
About Maritime Week
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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.
Maritime Week — edition 2026
The Maritime Week Bremen 2026 runs from September 11 to 20, 2026, combining two formats: the Discovery Days from September 11 to 18 with science, research, and maritime lifestyle, and the grand Festival Weekend from September 18 to 20 at the Schlachte with music, culinary delights, the Dragon Boat Cup on the Weser, and the evening light parade. As in previous years, admission to all activities is free. Organized by Bremen CityInitiative.
Programme Maritime Week 2026
The Maritime Week Bremen 2026 runs from September 11 to 20, 2026 at the Schlachte and throughout the harbor area. Free admission to all program points.
Discovery Days (Fri, Sep 11 — Fri, Sep 18)
A week of maritime science, research, and lifestyle: exhibitions, interactive programs, lectures, and thematic city and harbor tours focusing on shipping, marine research, and the importance of water for Bremen.
- Participation of Bremen's research and educational institutions such as MARUM, Alfred Wegener Institute (AWI), and University of Bremen
- MARUM will have a tent on the research mile and offer public lectures on-site
- Harbor tours, Open Ship events, and water sports presentations
Festival Weekend (Fri, Sep 18 — Sun, Sep 20)
Festival atmosphere on the Weser: several stages with live music, international food stalls, a market with maritime products, and water sports presentations.
- Research Mile with stands from scientific partners
- Dragon Boat Cup on the Weser — teams compete in races
- Light Parade on Saturday evening — illuminated ships sail downstream
The complete daily program with exact stage times and lecture topics will be published in summer 2026 on bremen-city.de and maritimewoche.de.
Highlights Maritime Week 2026
- A week of maritime science with MARUM, AWI, and the University of Bremen on the Research Mile
- Live music and international cuisine during the festival weekend at the Schlachte
- Dragon Boat Cup on the Weser
- Illuminated Light Parade on Saturday evening
- Open Ship events, harbor tours, and water sports presentations
Prices Maritime Week 2026
Free admission to all program points.
Practical information — Maritime Week
Getting There
The Schlachte is just a few minutes' walk from Bremen's city center. Tram stops Martinistrasse and Am Brill are very close by. Parking is available in the BREPARKhaus Mitte or other city center parking garages, but is limited – arriving by public transport is recommended.
Admission
Admission to the entire Maritime Week is free. Some special tours or boat trips may incur a fee.
Tip
Plan to be there for the closing weekend's dragon boat races and the evening light parade. Those wishing to enter a spectacle boat can find information on the festival website.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Maritime Week
Schlachte (Weserpromenade)
Schlachte, 28195 Bremen