Warnemünder Wintervergnügen

Winter Festival on the Baltic Sea Beach

The Warnemünder Wintervergnügen has been the central winter festival of the Rostock Baltic Sea resort of Warnemünde since 2009. It usually takes place at the end of January and beginning of February and invites visitors to experience the cold season in its enjoyable and lively aspect — right on the beach of the Hanseatic city of Rostock in the state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern.

Market Mile Between the Lighthouse and Hotel Neptun

An atmospheric market mile is set up for ten days between the Warnemünde lighthouse and the Hotel Neptun. Showmen and traders offer winter specialties, hot drinks, and handicrafts. A daily changing program of live music, DJ sets, and activities accompanies the festival days — from singer-songwriter sounds to maritime tunes.

The Ice Swimming Carnival (Eisbadefasching)

The highlight of the Wintervergnügen is the ice swimming carnival (Eisbadefasching) of the Rostocker Seehunde and the ice swimming masters. In colorful, imaginative costumes, the winter swimmers dive into the ice-cold Baltic Sea — a spectacle that attracts hundreds of onlookers to the beach access. The carnival day is accompanied by ice sculpting by an artist on the lighthouse forecourt.

Experiencing the Cold and Family Program

The Wintervergnügen combines tradition with modern wellness trends: an ice swimming workshop teaches the revitalizing power of cold, sea, and breathing. A lovingly designed children's action day, beach riding, kite flying, beach bonfires with music, and torchlight hikes round off the program. The "Winterrock" under the lighthouse provides live atmosphere.

Getting There

Warnemünde is directly accessible by S-Bahn from Rostock Hauptbahnhof. From Warnemünde station, it is a few minutes' walk to the lighthouse and the beach promenade.