Name: Neptunfest Zarrentin am Schaalsee 2026
Start: 2026-07-03T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-07-05T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Strandbereich am Schaalsee

Neptunfest Zarrentin

About Neptunfest Zarrentin

The Neptunfest in Zarrentin am Schaalsee is a colourful lake festival traditionally celebrated on the first weekend of July. In the beach area on the Schaalsee, visitors can expect a vibrant programme with stage music, water activities, and culinary delights. The secret star is the bathtub regatta, where self-built and imaginatively designed vessels compete against each other. During the Neptune baptism, newcomers are initiated into 'Neptune's Realm'. A popular family festival on the idyllic Schaalsee in the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve – in the southwestern corner of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Dates 03 Jul — 05 Jul 2026

Venue Zarrentin am Schaalsee (13076)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Neptunfest Zarrentin — edition 2026

The 70th Neptunfest Zarrentin am Schaalsee will take place from July 3rd to 5th, 2026. The traditional lake festival features the popular bathtub regatta, a Neptune baptism, stage music, water activities, and culinary delights on the Schaalsee.

From July 3rd to 5th, 2026, Zarrentin am Schaalsee will celebrate its 70th Neptunfest in the beach area by the lake.

The highlight is the bathtub regatta with self-built, imaginatively designed vessels. In addition, there will be the traditional Neptune baptism, stage music, water activities, and a diverse culinary offering. The multi-day festival is aimed at visitors of all ages.

Highlights Neptunfest Zarrentin 2026

Bathtub regatta with self-built vessels
Traditional Neptune baptism
Stage music and water activities on the Schaalsee
70th edition of the traditional lake festival
Family festival in the UNESCO Schaalsee Biosphere Reserve

Programme Neptunfest Zarrentin 2026

Friday, July 3rd, 2026

Festival opening with stage music on the Schaalsee

Saturday, July 4th, 2026

Bathtub regatta in the beach area
Water activities, stage programme, and culinary delights

Sunday, July 5th, 2026

Neptune baptism, family programme, and festival conclusion

Prices Neptunfest Zarrentin 2026

Admission to the festival grounds is usually free. Individual activities and refreshments are subject to a charge.

Practical information

Practical information — Neptunfest Zarrentin

Getting There

By car via the A24 (Zarrentin exit) to the town on the Schaalsee, then to the beach area. Ludwigslust-Parchim, near the border with Schleswig-Holstein.

Date and Admission

First weekend of July, multi-day festival. Admission to the festival grounds is usually free; individual activities are subject to a charge. Information from the town of Zarrentin am Schaalsee.

Tip

The bathtub regatta is the crowd-puller – a good spot on the shore ensures the best view.

Lake Festival on the Schaalsee

The Neptunfest Zarrentin am Schaalsee is a traditional summer festival on the shores of the Schaalsee. It takes place annually on the first weekend of July and is celebrated over several days with a large entertainment programme. The organiser is the town of Zarrentin am Schaalsee.

The Bathtub Regatta

The secret highlight of the festival is the bathtub regatta: in the beach area, self-built and imaginatively designed floating vessels compete against each other. With ingenuity, humour, and great skill, the participants transform the lake into a curious race track – a spectacle that attracts thousands of spectators to the shore every year.

Neptune Baptism and Stage Programme

The Neptune baptism is traditionally part of the Neptunfest, where newcomers are initiated into 'Neptune's Realm' in a humorous ceremony. The festival is accompanied by stage music, water activities, and a diverse culinary offering. The programme is aimed at all generations and makes the Neptunfest a popular family festival.

Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Ludwigslust-Parchim

Zarrentin am Schaalsee is located in the Ludwigslust-Parchim district in the southwestern corner of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern. The Schaalsee is part of the UNESCO Schaalsee Biosphere Reserve, a natural and cultural landscape along the former inner-German border. The Neptunfest combines North German lake festival tradition with the idyllic setting of this protected lake.