Name: Zissel – North Hessian Folk and Water Festival 2026
Start: 2026-07-31T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-08-03T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Fuldaufer / Karlswiese / Orangerie

Zissel Kassel

About Zissel Kassel

From July 31 to August 3, 2026, the Zissel will celebrate its 100th anniversary under the motto '100 Years of Fun on the River – The Zissel is a Must for Us'. Four days of water ski shows, land and water parades, dragon boat cup, Zisselhäring hoisting, Karlswiese funfair, Orangerie wine village, and fireworks. North Hesse's largest folk and water festival with over 100 years of tradition since 1926, supported by the association Zissel in Kassel e.V. and the City of Kassel.

Dates 31 Jul — 03 Aug 2026

Venue Kassel (06611)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Zissel Kassel — edition 2026

The 100th anniversary of the Zissel under the motto '100 Years of Fun on the River – The Zissel is a Must for Us'. Four days of water ski shows, dragon boat cup, receptions for dignitaries, dance shows, land and water parades, Zisselhäring hoisting, torch swimming, and fireworks.

Four festival days on the Kassel Fulda riverbanks for the 100th anniversary. The anniversary program builds on the traditional Zissel highlights – with additional festive events and a special event by the University of Kassel to kick things off.

Highlights Zissel Kassel 2026

100th anniversary with its own motto
Zisselhäring hoisting as the official festival opening
Water ski show on the Fulda
Dragon Boat Cup with teams from North Hesse
Land and water parades
Fireworks and torch swimming
Karlswiese funfair and Orangerie wine village

Programme Zissel Kassel 2026

Friday, July 31, 2026 — Opening

Zisselhäring hoisting at the Rondell – official festival opening
Welcome of the Zissel dignitaries
Opening of the Karlswiese funfair
Opening of the Orangerie wine village
Evening live program

Saturday, August 1, 2026 — Sports and Show Day

Morning — Dragon Boat Cup on the Fulda
Afternoon — Dance show program
Evening — Grand water ski show on the Fulda
Late evening — Atmospheric torch swimming

Sunday, August 2, 2026 — Parade Day

Afternoon — Grand land parade through Kassel's city center
Evening — Water parade with illuminated boats on the Fulda
Late evening — Fireworks over the Fulda

Monday, August 3, 2026 — Winding Down

Karlswiese funfair and Orangerie wine village open
Evening program on the main stage
Festival concludes

Prices Zissel Kassel 2026

Admission to the festival grounds is free. Carousels, food stalls, and the wine village at usual folk festival prices. Dragon Boat Cup participation is subject to a fee (team registration).

Practical information

Practical information — Zissel Kassel

Getting There

By car: A7 or A44, exit Kassel-Mitte. During the festival period, city center parking is severely restricted – Park-and-Ride recommended. By train: Kassel-Wilhelmshöhe main station, then tram to the city center. Special trains often run during the festival period.

Admission

Admission to the festival grounds is free. Water ski show can be viewed for free from land. Dragon Boat Cup for teams is subject to a fee (registration via team association). Carousels and food stalls at usual folk festival prices.

Tip

If you want to see the water and land parades: Check dates and routes on zissel.de before the festival begins. If you seek tranquility: Mornings and weekday afternoons are relaxed – evenings, weekends, and fireworks are crowded.

North Hesse's Biggest Folk Festival Celebrates 100 Years

The Zissel is North Hesse's largest folk and water festival – and 2026 will be a celebration: The 100th anniversary is under the motto «100 Years of Fun on the River – The Zissel is a Must for Us». From July 31 to August 3, the Kassel Fulda riverbanks will transform into a four-day festival mile.

The Zisselhäring – Landmark Since 1926

The hoisting of the Zisselhäring on Friday at the Rondell is the official festival opening – a giant fabric herring is stretched across the Fulda. The Zisselhäring has been the ironic symbol of the festival since its first edition in 1926, playing on Kassel's self-irony: 'Hering' (herring) stands for North Hesse, the 'See' (lake/sea) for the Fulda river.

Water Ski Show and Dragon Boat Cup

The grand water ski show on the Fulda is one of the most popular program points: acrobatics, jumps, and show acts right in front of the Karlsaue backdrop. The Dragon Boat Cup brings teams from all over North Hesse to the riverbank – a sporting highlight of the festival for decades.

Land and Water Parade

The heart of the Zissel are the two major parades: The water parade with illuminated boats on the Fulda and the land parade through Kassel's city center – both attract tens of thousands to the streets and riverbanks.

Three Festival Locations – One Festival

The Zissel is spread across three main venues: the Fulda riverbanks with stages and gastronomy, the Karlswiese with a nostalgic funfair and rides, and the Orangerie with the atmospheric wine village. They are connected by the Zisselmile, an entertainment mile along the Fulda riverbanks.

A 100-Year Tradition

The Zissel dates back to 1926 when Kassel water sports enthusiasts organized the first 'Water Show on the Fulda'. Since then, the festival has developed into North Hesse's identity-defining major event – with interruptions only during wartime and the Corona pandemic. It is supported by the non-profit organization Zissel in Kassel e.V.