Kieler Woche

About Kieler Woche

Kieler Woche (Kiel Week) is the largest sailing event in the world and one of the biggest summer festivals in Northern Europe. Held annually in the last full week of June in Kiel, the capital of Schleswig-Holstein, the event combines competitive sailing with a massive cultural festival that attracts approximately three million visitors each year. Founded in 1882 as a small sailing competition, Kieler Woche has evolved into an international maritime celebration featuring around 2,000 sailing vessels, from small dinghies to tall ships, and approximately 5,000 sailors from more than 50 countries. The sailing competitions take place in Kiel Bay on the Baltic Sea, while the festival extends throughout the city with multiple stages featuring hundreds of free concerts and performances, international food stalls, cultural exhibitions, and a traditional funfair. A highlight of the event is the "Windjammer Parade" of large sailing ships led by historical tall ships. The festival is opened by a ceremonial ringing of the ship's bell and the traditional call "Kiel Week ahoi!". Kieler Woche represents not only a sporting event but also an important cultural exchange platform, with a different country featured as a partner nation each year, showcasing its culture, cuisine, and traditions.