20th Ratzeburg Island Advent

Decentralised Advent Concept

The Island Advent in Ratzeburg deliberately differs from conventional Christmas markets: Instead of a compact market area, many small stations occupy the entire island town — galleries, shops, cafés, churches, museums, private homes. The concept spatially distributes the Advent atmosphere, making the visit an exploration tour. Visitors stroll through the island's streets, stop at cafés, listen to a choir in a church, buy handmade candles at a stall, or peek into a gallery.

Market Square and Cathedral Peninsula as Cornerstones

The spatial axis runs from the New Market Square in the city centre to the Cathedral Peninsula at the northern end of the island — approximately 1.2 kilometres through the historic island town. Both poles have their own programme:

• Market Square: Main stalls with mulled wine, bratwurst, potato pancakes, arts and crafts; town Christmas tree with a light festival ceremony
• Cathedral Peninsula: Concerts in Ratzeburg Cathedral, Advent market in front of the Ansgar Gate, exhibitions in the Domhof (Cathedral Courtyard)

Programme and Atmosphere

Throughout the weekend, performances, concerts, and readings alternate — typically choir and brass concerts in the town church and the cathedral, children's fairy tale hours, light installations along the main streets, concerts by the Ratzeburg Cathedral Choir and local music associations. The Cathedral Choir, founded in 1893, is one of the oldest and most renowned boys' and men's choirs in Northern Germany; its Advent concert is a tradition.

Ratzeburg — Town Between Four Lakes

Ratzeburg is the district capital of the Herzogtum Lauenburg district and consists of an island town almost entirely surrounded by water — Lake Ratzeburg encloses the historic centre on three sides, framed by the surrounding Küchensee, Domsee, and Großer Ratzeburger See lakes. This exposed location has made Ratzeburg a political and ecclesiastical centre of the region for centuries — today it is a tourist destination and a major rowing centre (home of the German Rowing Academy).

20th Anniversary in 2026

The 2026 Island Advent marks the 20th edition — an anniversary that Ratzeburg Tourism will celebrate with a slightly expanded programme. The first Island Advents took place in 2006, and the format has since grown into an island market with a local character.