Shanty Festival Neuharlingersiel

Shanty – The Music of Sailors

Sea shanties are the traditional work songs of sailors. They were sung on large sailing ships to facilitate heavy tasks – heaving anchor, hoisting sails, rowing – in a common rhythm. Today, sea shanties live on in shanty choirs, which preserve maritime musical heritage and present it on stages and at festivals. The Shanty Festival Neuharlingersiel is one of the most attractive platforms for this musical tradition.

3rd Edition at Kutterhafen West

From June 20th to 21st, 2026, the 3rd edition of the Shanty Festival will take place. The venue is the Cutter Harbour Neuharlingersiel on the West Harbour side – a historic fishing harbour that is still active today, keeping the crab fishing tradition alive. The harbour scenery is a perfect match for the maritime music: boats, nets, cutters, and the salty air of the Wadden Sea create the ideal setting.

10 Choirs, Two Days of Programme

Around 10 sea shanty choirs are confirmed for the 2026 festival – from Germany and the Netherlands. A selection of participating choirs:

• De Tampentrekker – established East Frisian shanty choir
• Lady-Pirates (NL) – Dutch women's choir with charming stage presence
• Die Blauen Jungs Aurich – traditional choir from the East Frisian district town
• Frauen-Chor Winschoten – Dutch women's shanty choir
• Delme-Shanty-Singers – choir from the Bremen region
• Piratenchor – with a creative staging

Other choirs will complete the lineup. Performances are spread across Saturday and Sunday, from 11 AM to 7 PM each day.

Family Programme and Accompanying Events

In addition to the choir performances, there will be a family programme at the harbour: children's activities, maritime craft stations, and hands-on activities for the youngest visitors. This makes the festival a family-friendly event that appeals not only to shanty fans but also to a broad audience.

DGzRS Information Mobile

An important companion to the festival is the DGzRS information mobile. The German Maritime Search and Rescue Service will be on site with its information mobile, providing insights into the work of the sea rescuers. The DGzRS station in Neuharlingersiel is part of the active station network on the North Sea coast and secures shipping in the region.

Free Admission

The festival is free to attend. The event is organised by the municipality of Neuharlingersiel in cooperation with the harbour friends and the local tourist office. With free admission and a unique maritime backdrop, the Shanty Festival is one of the most attractive musical weekends in East Frisia in June.