State Harvest Festival 2025: Celebrate on Poel and in Wismar!

State Harvest Festival 2025: Celebrate on Poel and in Wismar!

On October 4th and 5th, 2025, Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania will be transformed into a true festival landscape: This year, for the first time, the state harvest festival will be jointly organized by the island of Poel, the district of Northwest Mecklenburg and the city of Wismar. The preparations for this took more than a year and the mayor of Poel, Gabriele Richter, the mayor of Wismar Thomas Beyer and district administrator Tino Schomann proudly presented the varied program.

The festival is celebrated over two days at two different locations: on Saturday on the island of Poel, where there are numerous attractions, and on Sunday in Wismar, where the big parade conquers the city. A special highlight on the island is the Farmers' Olympics and a chicken bingo, where visitors have the opportunity to buy tickets. In addition to raising awareness of the harvest, fun is also important here!

Experience cultural diversity

For those more interested in traditional and cultural diversity, Thanksgiving offers a wealth of opportunities. A potato peeling competition, an art event and the traditional farmers' ball take place on the island of Poel. In addition, you shouldn't miss the delicious regional delicacies offered by local producers, for example directly at the stand of the Northwest Mecklenburg District Farmers' Association, which is represented on both festival days.

In Wismar, Sunday opens with an impressive parade featuring decorated harvest floats, vintage cars and club cars. The goal of this parade is to establish the longest parade in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, with a length of at least 800 meters and 80 floats. Such a spectacle is not only a feast for the eyes, but also a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the spirit of community.

Religious roots of the festival

What many people don't know is that Thanksgiving has deep-rooted religious traditions. It is celebrated by Christians, in both Catholic and Protestant communities, on the first Sunday in October. Gratitude for the fruits of the earth and a reflection on responsibility towards nature are the focus. In church services, the altar is often decorated with beautifully filled baskets, and there are many customs, including weaving harvest crowns from grain and vines.

The combination of tradition and conviviality continues after the services. People come together at banquets and dance events, enjoy the community and look back with joy at the good harvests. It makes hearts happy that many communities provide active support and often even collect money or food for those in need.

For all those planning to visit the festival, it should be noted that traveling to Wismar on Sunday is recommended. Parking spaces around the market square will be closed from Friday, and traffic restrictions are expected at short notice during the parade between 11 a.m. and 12.30 p.m. There are also large numbers of visitors on both days, which is why patience and a good mood are required!

For anyone interested, the state harvest festival offers an opportunity to delve deeply into the cultural peculiarities of the region and to experience the hospitality of the two venues up close. The anticipation of an unforgettable weekend is palpable - be there and celebrate with us!

For more information about the program, read what NDR, Farmers' Association MV and Calendar 2016 report!