Rainbow Days Flensburg

Flensburg and the queer scene

Flensburg is Germany's northernmost major city and an independent city in the state of Schleswig-Holstein, directly on the German-Danish border. The city, with around 90,000 inhabitants, a distinct student culture (Europa-Universität, Hochschule Flensburg), and an active cultural landscape, has a comparatively visible queer scene. The Rainbow Days annually bundle this scene into a four-day festival that has long since radiated beyond the city limits.

vielfalt.SH e.V. — Organiser of the Festival

The organiser is the association vielfalt.SH e.V., one of the central players for queer visibility, advice, and networking in Schleswig-Holstein. The association works closely with the Ministry of Social Affairs SH and the 'Echte Vielfalt' action plan, which politically supports queer issues in the northernmost federal state.

Motto 2026: 'Diversity is our Harbour'

The motto 'Diversity is our Harbour' explicitly refers to Flensburg's maritime identity: the harbour as a place of arrival, encounter, and safety. This language fits a festival that not only celebrates but also creates spaces — for advice, self-help, education, and encounters.

Programme Range

• Film screenings — including the classic Pride (2014)
• Poetry Slam and Spoken Word
• Workshops on self-care, poster design, and BDSM education
• Self-help groups — meetings for young people, trans and non-binary individuals, polyamory and aromantic/asexual communities
• Culture talks on queer resistance and health equality
• CSD Parade on May 17th at Flensburg Harbour — highlight of the festival

Accessibility and Safety

The organisers explicitly emphasise the accessibility of the CSD route and offer sign language interpretation at the main events. Safety and awareness concepts are established, and individual events are provided with information on potential restrictions.

IDAHOBIT Connection

The date of the CSD Parade — May 17th — is no coincidence: this is the day the IDAHOBIT (International Day Against Homophobia, Biphobia, Interphobia and Transphobia) is celebrated worldwide. The choice of this date makes the Flensburg CSD Parade one of the most politically charged queer demonstrations in northern Germany.