Rhein in Flammen® Koblenz – Koblenzer Sommerfest

Rhein in Flammen is Germany's most famous fireworks series, comprising five editions along the Middle and Lower Rhine. The Koblenz edition in early August is the largest and oldest in the series, taking place within the Koblenzer Sommerfest — a three-day city festival that turns the entire Old Town, the Rhine promenades, and Ehrenbreitstein Fortress into a vast event area.

The Ship Convoy

The ship convoy is the logistical and symbolic heart of the event. On Saturday evening, up to 70 illuminated passenger ships gather in Spay, about 15 kilometres upstream from Koblenz. At sunset, the fleet sets sail down the Rhine, moving slowly along one of Europe's most spectacular river landscapes. As the ships pass Stolzenfels Castle, Marksburg Valley, Lahneck Castle, and other historic sites, these are bathed in Bengal fire and light effects — which is the essence of the event.

Fireworks Display at Deutsches Eck

When the ships reach Koblenz in the late evening, the main fireworks display begins: a 25 to 30-minute music-synchronised display that bathes Ehrenbreitstein Fortress and the Deutsches Eck in spectacular light. Since 2024, an additional drone show has been part of the programme: one hundred drones form symbols, animations, and regional trademarks in the sky above the Rhine.

Seven Event Zones

The Sommerfest is spread across seven event zones along the Rhine and in the Old Town: from Ehrenbreitstein Fortress, Deutsches Eck, the Konrad-Adenauer-Anlagen, the Electoral Palace, the Old Town, to the Pfaffendorf Bridge. Over 200 artists from the realms of rock, pop, Schlager, classical, jazz, and traditional music perform on multiple stages. Food trucks, wine and beer stands, and craft markets complement the offerings.

Getting There and Visitors

Around 150,000 guests are expected annually. Travel by train and bus is officially recommended, as the city centre has significant restrictions on car traffic. Park-and-Ride facilities and shuttle services supplement the concept. Tickets for the ship passage and the spectator zone at Ehrenbreitstein Fortress are allocated separately and should be booked well in advance.