Tanz in den Mai Wittenborn

A Tradition Returns

For more than a decade, Tanz in den Mai had disappeared from Wittenborn. In 2025, the Cultural Committee of the Wittenborn Municipality brought the tradition back — and thus made a small but significant contribution to village life in the Segeberg district. The May festival, celebrated on the eve of May 1st like everywhere in Northern Germany, is more than just an occasion to drink and dance: it marks the end of winter, the beginning of the warm season, and the moment when the village comes together.

Maypole, May Punch, Maibock Beer

The Maypole is the centrepiece of the festival. Erected in the middle of the village square, often adorned with colourful ribbons and the municipal coat of arms, it is the visible symbol of the May celebration. Around it, a simple, informal gathering takes place: there is Maibock beer (the traditional, slightly stronger May beer), May punch with woodruff, and for children, Capri-Sonne and lemonade. The Wittenborn Volunteer Fire Brigade supports the evening with catering — grilled sausages and hearty snacks.

From Sunny Afternoon to Starry Night

The evening in Wittenborn traditionally begins outdoors: ideally, the spring sun shines, guests sit on beer benches around the village square, and the music starts casually. As dusk falls, the atmosphere intensifies — people dance under the stars, often late into the night. It is a village festival in the classic sense: no big stage, no invited stars, but a communal here-and-now, supported by the neighbours and dedicated individuals of the community.

Wittenborn in the Segeberg District

Wittenborn is a small municipality with about 800 inhabitants in the southwestern Segeberg district, nestled between Bad Segeberg and Bad Bramstedt in southwestern Schleswig-Holstein. The village is located in the Holstein Switzerland Nature Park, close to the A20 motorway — easily accessible, but away from the tourist crowds. This very character defines the Tanz in den Mai: a village festival for its own community, not for the event industry.

Who is Organising the Festival?

The Cultural Committee of the Wittenborn municipality is responsible. Following the success of 2025, they declared that the festival should become a permanent tradition in Wittenborn again. It is supported by the Volunteer Fire Brigade and dedicated citizens. There is no admission fee — the festival is a village gift to itself.