65th Potsdam Fleet Parade and Harbour Festival

65 Years of Season Opening at Potsdam Harbour

The Potsdam Fleet Parade is one of Brandenburg's oldest spring events and will be celebrated for the 65th time in 2026. It marks the official start of the season for the Weiße Flotte Potsdam — the largest passenger shipping company in the state capital — and draws thousands of Potsdam and Berlin residents to the Havel every spring. On Sunday, April 12, 2026, the festival runs from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. directly at the Lange Brücke 6 pier.

Stage Programme — from Pub Choir to Genthin Music Express

A stage will entertain the harbour square all day long. The Potsdamer Kneipenchor (Potsdam Pub Choir) opens at 11 a.m. during the musical morning pint. At 12:45 p.m., the cheerleaders of the Potsdamer Cheerleader-Verein will follow with dance and acrobatic performances. At 1:30 p.m., the maritime choir of the Water Police will sing sea shanties. At 3:30 p.m. — parallel to the fleet's departure — the Genthiner Musikexpress will play rock, pop, and film music. DJ DeeNoeRee will play between acts throughout the day. At 5:15 p.m., the grand raffle with travel vouchers will take place.

3 p.m. — The Fleet Departs

Precisely at 3 p.m., six passenger ships will depart for the traditional corsair cruise: MS Fridericus Rex, MS Charlottenhof, MS Königswald, MS Schwielowsee, MS Stadt Potsdam, and the historic paddle steamer DS Gustav. The parade will last 2.5 hours, travelling over the Havel and Tiefen See along Potsdam's palace and park landscapes. Musical accompaniment on land is provided by the Werderaner Musikverein. Tickets for the cruise are available in advance and usually sell out quickly.

Family Festival on the Shore — Tourism, Children, Enjoyment

Around the stage, a market will offer honey, baked goods, sausage specialties, and regional products. Tourism stands will present Brandenburg and Berlin as travel destinations, while the DLRG (German Life Saving Association) and the Water Police will demonstrate their water rescue equipment. For children, there will be carousels, entertainment, and craft activities. The Volkssolidarität (a social welfare organisation) will also have a stand.

Location and Significance

Potsdam Harbour is centrally located on the Lange Brücke between Alter Markt and the main train station, in the state of Brandenburg and the independent city of Potsdam (state capital). Its location directly on the Havel makes it the natural starting point for all regional passenger shipping — from here, you can reach Schwielowsee, Werder, Caputh, and the Berlin waterway network.