Tonnenabschlagen Prerow
Traditional equestrian festival on the Darß since 1913
About Tonnenabschlagen Prerow
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Tonnenabschlagen Prerow al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
An Equestrian Custom with Over a Hundred Years of History
The Tonnenabschlagen is the most famous folk custom of the Fischland-Darß-Zingst peninsula in the Vorpommern-Rügen district. The Reitertonnenbund Prerow was founded as early as 1913 in Prerow; after a war-related interruption, the tradition has been continued uninterrupted since the mid-1920s. The club's chronicle even documents the dignitaries back to the year 1888. This makes the Prerow Tonnenabschlagen one of the oldest and most carefully maintained equestrian customs on the German Baltic Sea coast.
How Tonnenabschlagen Works
The core of the festival is the competition for the barrel: a wooden barrel hangs from a high gallows above the riding course. The riders gallop across the course and strike the barrel with a club. Piece by piece, the barrel is dismantled until finally the last part – often the barrel bottom – is knocked out. The victorious riders are crowned Tonnenkönig (Barrel King), Stäbenkönig (Rod King), and Bodenkönig (Bottom King). Both adults and children compete in their own contests.
UNESCO-Recognized Cultural Heritage
The Tonnenabschlagen on Fischland-Darß-Zingst was added to the national register of Intangible Cultural Heritage in 2017. The custom combines equestrian skill, village sociability, and a fixed ritual of procession, competition, and crowning of kings – a living piece of North German festival culture passed down from generation to generation.
Folk Festival for the Whole Family
A classic folk festival unfolds around the equestrian competition: a festive parade, hearty music, regional specialties, and festival activities. Over 3,400 spectators followed the events in 2025. The festival is explicitly aimed at locals and holiday guests alike and is a cross-generational summer event.
Prerow and its Equestrian Tradition
The Baltic Sea resort of Prerow is located at the western end of the Darß. In addition to the Tonnenabschlagen, the harbor festival, pier festival, and concert series shape the Prerow summer. But the Tonnenabschlagen is the most traditional date – a day on which the Baltic Sea resort celebrates its own history.
Tonnenabschlagen Prerow — edition 2026
Tonnenabschlagen 2026
For 2026, the Tonnenabschlagen is scheduled for Sunday, July 26 – in accordance with the fixed rule that the festival always takes place on the last Sunday in July.
The Reitertonnenbund Prerow announces a family festival with lively music and regional specialties for 2026. The focus will be on the equestrian competitions for the barrel: adults and children will compete in separate contests, and at the end, the Tonnenkönig (Barrel King), Stäbenkönig (Rod King), and Bodenkönig (Bottom King) will be crowned. A festive parade and festival activities will round off the day.
Programme Tonnenabschlagen Prerow 2026
Program Tonnenabschlagen 2026
The Reitertonnenbund Prerow traditionally publishes the exact hourly program for 2026 shortly before the festival day. The proven sequence of a Tonnenabschlagen includes:
- Festive parade of riders and clubs through the Baltic Sea resort of Prerow
- Children's equestrian competition — separate contest at the barrel gallows
- Adults' equestrian competition — gallop under the barrel, blow by blow until the barrel bottom
- Crowning of the Kings — Proclamation of Tonnenkönig, Stäbenkönig, and Bodenkönig
- Folk festival — live music, regional specialties, convivial end to the festival
Specific times and the musical supporting program will be announced by the club via tonnenabschlagen.de.
Highlights Tonnenabschlagen Prerow 2026
- Equestrian competition for the barrel — the traditional highlight
- Crowning of Tonnenkönig, Stäbenkönig, and Bodenkönig
- Festive parade through the Baltic Sea resort of Prerow
- Folk festival with live music and regional specialties
- UNESCO-recognized Intangible Cultural Heritage
Prices Tonnenabschlagen Prerow 2026
Folk festival with free admission. Catering and festival activities for a fee. Specific admission regulations for individual areas will be communicated by the Reitertonnenbund Prerow in advance.
Practical information — Tonnenabschlagen Prerow
Getting There
By car: via the B105 and the Darß exit to Prerow, signposted parking lots on the outskirts. By train: to Barth or Ribnitz-Damgarten, then by bus to Prerow.
Admission
Folk festival with free admission; catering and festival activities on site for a fee.
On Site
Plan for weatherproof clothing, sun protection, and cash. The equestrian competition takes place outdoors; good vantage points are quickly sought after due to the crowds.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
Max. 5 photos, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Spotted an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Each suggestion is reviewed by our team before being published.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Tonnenabschlagen Prerow al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Tonnenabschlagen Prerow
Ostseebad Prerow
Prerow, 18375 Prerow