Meldorfer Mai
Multi-week city festival in the Dithmarschen cathedral city
About Meldorfer Mai
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A festival that takes over the whole city
The Meldorfer Mai is not a classic weekend city festival, but a multi-week festival format: from April 30th to the end of May, Meldorf's city center, the Dithmarschen cathedral city on the west coast, hosts a program with around 160 individual events. The range extends from sporting competitions, concerts, and art exhibitions to family afternoons and a central city festival.
Opening with the May Fire
The Meldorfer Mai traditionally opens on the evening of April 30th with a Maifeuer (May fire) – a tradition deeply rooted in Schleswig-Holstein and Dithmarschen. The fire symbolically marks the beginning of spring and the opening of the festival month.
The Bridge Run — one of Northern Germany's first climate-neutral runs
On May 1st, the Meldorfer Brückenlauf (Meldorf Bridge Run) takes place – according to the organizers, the only climate-neutral run in Northern Germany. Three distances are offered: 6 km, 9 km, and half marathon (21.1 km). The run leads across the famous Meldorf Bridge and through the historic old town.
The City Festival on the Second Weekend in May
The highlight is the city festival on the second weekend in May with over 100 stalls throughout the city center. Arts and crafts, food trucks, regional producers, and live stages are spread from Domstraße and Marktplatz to the side alleys.
Families, Oldtimers, and Flea Market
- Children's Afternoon «Flower Power» with over 40 hands-on stations for children aged 3 to 12
- Oldtimer Show with around 250 historic vehicles on the Marktplatz (20th edition) – a tradition within the Meldorfer Mai
- Big Flea Market on May 1st
- Concerts in the Stadtkirche, in cafés, and on public stages
- Art exhibitions in the Dithmarscher Landesmuseum and in galleries
In the Dithmarschen District, on the West Coast
Meldorf is the cathedral city in the Dithmarschen district, located between the Wadden Sea National Park and the Eider river. The Meldorfer Mai is the most important start-of-summer event in Dithmarschen – it also serves as an anchor for local tourism and businesses around the Wirtschafts- und Verkehrsverein (WVV) Meldorf.
Meldorfer Mai — edition 2026
What's special in 2026
The 2026 edition features an exceptionally broad program — 160 individual events are planned, ranging from sporting competitions and family programs to concerts and exhibitions. The organizer is WVV Meldorf, which curates the program in cooperation with associations, businesses, and cultural institutions.
Oldtimer Tradition
The Oldtimer Show on the Marktplatz celebrates its 20th edition in 2026 — around 250 historic vehicles are expected. It is one of the most successful opening days of the festival.
Programme Meldorfer Mai 2026
Highlights 2026
Thursday, April 30 – Opening
- Evening — May Fire to open the Meldorfer Mai
Friday, May 1 – Bridge Run Day
- Morning — Meldorfer Brückenlauf: 6 km, 9 km, Half Marathon (21.1 km), climate-neutral run, registration via wvv-meldorf.de
- All Day — Giant Flea Market in the city center
Sunday, May 3 – Oldtimer Day
- 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM — 20th Oldtimer Show on the Marktplatz with around 250 historic vehicles
Wednesday, May 6 – Children's Afternoon
- 2:00 PM – 6:00 PM — «Flower Power» with over 40 hands-on stations for children aged 3 to 12
Saturday/Sunday, May 9 – 10 – City Festival
- 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM — Grand City Festival with over 100 stalls throughout the city center
- Concerts on the stages at Marktplatz, Domstraße, and in the courtyards
Until the End of May
- Concerts in the Stadtkirche, exhibitions at the Dithmarscher Landesmuseum, readings, and workshops
Detailed program and registrations at wvv-meldorf.de.
Highlights Meldorfer Mai 2026
Prices Meldorfer Mai 2026
Practical information — Meldorfer Mai
Getting There
Meldorf train station on the Marschbahn line Hamburg–Westerland (approx. 90 min from Hamburg, 10 min from Heide). From the station, approx. 10 min walk to the Marktplatz. By car: B5 Westküstenstraße, B431.
Admission
Admission to the city festival, the oldtimer show, the May fire, and the children's afternoon is free. Bridge run registration is subject to a fee (online registration at wvv-meldorf.de).
Period
April 30 – End of May 2026. Main activities on April 30 (May fire), May 1 (Bridge Run, Flea Market), May 6 (Children's Afternoon), May 9–10 (City Festival).
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Meldorfer Mai
Innenstadt Meldorf
Marktplatz Meldorf, 25704 Meldorf