Harbor festival in Wismar: Thousands celebrate on the deck of Elbe 1 and the Ferris wheel!

Harbor festival in Wismar: Thousands celebrate on the deck of Elbe 1 and the Ferris wheel!

A maritime festival is currently being celebrated in Wismar that is worth seeing. From June 12th to 15th, 2025, the citizens and visitors of the Hanseatic city will celebrate a colorful harbor festival that will attract thousands of people to the quayside. Sunshine and pleasant temperatures create an excellent atmosphere, while numerous stalls and attractions attract the attention of festival guests. The Ferris wheel, which offers a breathtaking view of the city, is particularly popular. The gondolas are well staffed and add to the festive atmosphere.

The harbor has truly transformed during this time. There are more ships than usual, which underlines the maritime flair of the festival. Particularly noteworthy is the lightship “Elbe 1”, which is anchored as a floating museum. The ship, which was commissioned in 1948 and is the largest of its kind in the world, was once used as a beacon for navigation and is now accessible to visitors - in contrast to the impressive Disney cruise ship "Disney Adventure", which is also in Wismar but is not allowed to be entered.

Fireworks and maritime highlights

The Disney cruise ship is a real gem and offers plenty to talk about among festival goers. Sven Peters from Rostock is one of the many who hope to get a better look at the ship and he is busy taking photos. While we're on the subject of photos: The undocking of this giant on April 20, 2025 was celebrated with a horn concert and colorful fireworks, a celebration that Mayor Thomas Beyer and Prime Minister Manuela Schwesig called a “day of pride”. The ship is impressive - 342 meters long and over 70 meters high, and it can accommodate 6,000 passengers and 2,300 crew members. The anticipation for the maiden voyage, which is scheduled to start from Singapore, is growing with every day.

Back at the Wismar harbor festival, the maritime fun is rounded off with performances by shanty choirs and exciting regattas. Smaller boats are also at the start, including dragon boat teams, which enliven the water with sporting ambition.

Special experiences and other planned events

The harbor festival is just one of many attractions that Wismar has to offer. There are numerous other events taking place in June, including the Wismar Hering Festival, which celebrates the historical significance of herring. With a large “herring fry-up” on the market square and various herring specialties in the participating businesses, this attracts many visitors every year.

Wismar is a place full of cultural highlights. The harbor festival exemplifies the lively atmosphere of this port city, which will continue to boast various events and festivals in the future, such as the Christmas Markets in winter or the International Street Theater Festival in August.

Overall, the harbor festival in Wismar shows that it is not just about ships, but also about community, culture and a piece of historical identity. Holger Jerichow and his wife Christina from Brandenburg are aware of this and are enjoying the celebrations to the fullest.

For everyone who hasn't been there yet, there is a lot to discover - and next year will definitely bring new opportunities to experience Wismar's maritime flair. Be there when the harbor comes to life again!