Ringelganstage

What are Brent Geese?

Brent geese (Branta bernicla) are small, black and white geese that undertake one of Europe's most spectacular flight routes between their breeding grounds in the Siberian tundra and their wintering grounds in West Africa. Every spring, they stop over in the North Frisian Wadden Sea on their migration route — up to 60,000 birds at a time. This mass gathering is one of Northern Germany's greatest natural events and the basis for the festival.

Hallig Hooge: Main Venue

Hallig Hooge, with around 100 inhabitants and an area of 10 km², is the second-largest hallig in the North Frisian Wadden Sea and belongs to the municipality of Hooge in the district of Nordfriesland in the state of Schleswig-Holstein. The hallig is located about 13 km west of the North Frisian mainland coast and is one of the ten North Frisian halligen that have been part of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve 'Halligen' since 2014. The central opening ceremony of the Ringelganstage takes place on Hooge.

Over 140 Events

The 2026 program includes over 140 dates — from birdwatching tours with telescopes and experts, family excursions in the mudflats, lectures on bird migration research, culinary evenings with hallig products, to concerts and readings. Events take place on the Halligen islands of Hooge, Langeneß, and Gröde, on the islands of Amrum, Föhr, and Sylt, and on the North Frisian mainland (Husum, Niebüll, Bredstedt, St. Peter-Ording) — a truly cross-regional series.

Opening Ceremony 2026

The highlight and kickoff is the Opening Ceremony on Hallig Hooge on Saturday, April 18, 2026. The keynote speaker is Goldschmidt; the all-day opening package offers boat transfer from Schlüttsiel or Langeneß, a traditional biosphere snack at lunchtime, coffee and cake in the afternoon, and the official festival program. Booking via ringelganstage.de for €25 per adult, €10 per child up to 14 years.