18th Zugvogeltage – Zugvogel Festival Horumersiel

Europe's Largest Bird Migration Festival

Since 2009, the Zugvogeltage in the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea National Park has developed into Europe's largest bird migration festival. Over 350 individual events from Dollart to the Lower Elbe make visible how important the Wadden Sea is for the millions of migratory birds traveling annually between their Arctic breeding grounds and their African wintering grounds.

Zugvogel Festival in Horumersiel

The central event of the Zugvogeltage is the Zugvogel Festival at the Kurgarten Horumersiel. Here, the activities of the festival week are concentrated in one place: information stands from nature conservation organizations, lectures by renowned ornithologists, an equipment shop for optics and birdwatching accessories, as well as musical and theatrical contributions that creatively address the theme of bird migration.

Featured Bird 2026: Arctic Tern

Each year, a featured bird is chosen to represent the Zugvogeltage. In 2026, it is the Arctic Tern – a fascinating long-distance migrant that flies up to 90,000 kilometers annually between the Arctic and Antarctic, making it one of the most enduring migratory birds in the world.

350+ Events Along the Coast

In addition to the Zugvogel Festival, over 350 events take place along the Lower Saxony Wadden Sea coast: guided excursions, birdwatching tours, lectures in National Park houses, children's and family programs, workshops, and art events.

UNESCO World Heritage

The Wadden Sea has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 2009 and is one of the most important resting areas for migratory birds worldwide. The Zugvogeltage make this global significance tangible and raise awareness for the protection of this unique ecosystem.