22nd Sömmerda Duck Race

Sömmerda — District Capital on the Edge of the Thuringian Basin

With around 20,000 inhabitants, Sömmerda is the district capital of the Sömmerda district in northern Thuringia, located between Erfurt and the Saale river. The town looks back on a long industrial tradition: Rheinmetall (arms factory) shaped the 19th and 20th centuries, followed by large companies in the GDR electronics industry. Today, Sömmerda is a modern industrial and administrative city with a well-preserved old town, the Schlossgarten (palace garden), and the Stadtkanal (city canal) — an old irrigation canal now also used for canoe sports and the annual duck race.

Duck Race — A Modern Folk Tradition

The rubber duck race is a format that has become popular in recent decades as a charity folk festival (Volksfest). Thousands of identical, numbered plastic ducks are released into a river or canal and float with the current. Those who buy a 'duck' (typically €2–5 per duck) receive a number; if their assigned duck wins the race, they receive a prize. The proceeds usually go to social projects, local clubs, or charities. The Sömmerda Duck Race follows this pattern — an accessible, family-friendly event with a good cause.

22nd Edition in the Canoe Canal

In 2026, the duck race will be held for the 22nd time in Sömmerda — a tradition that has been established since the early 2000s. The Kanu-Kanal (canoe canal) in Sömmerda — originally used for water management and later for sporting paddling — offers the ideal course. Over several hundred meters, thousands of rubber ducks float towards the finish line. Families, many with picnic blankets and umbrellas, wait on the banks for the finish. Snack stalls, ice cream, cake, coffee, and bratwurst cater to visitors. A small stage provides musical entertainment — often bands from the Sömmerda region or surrounding communities.

Sömmerda District and Thuringian Basin

The Sömmerda district is located in the fertile Thuringian Basin — the most agriculturally productive region of Thuringia, with black earth soils and intensive grain cultivation. Sömmerda, as the district capital, is the administrative and economic center. The duck race is one of the city's most important summer events — alongside the Sömmerda City Anniversary (1150 years in 2026 — a major event in itself) and smaller club festivals. Those seeking an authentic piece of Thuringian summer atmosphere, far from the major tourist centers, will find it at the duck race.