Travemünde Week 2025 starts: A festival of sailing art and culture!

Travemünde Week 2025 starts: A festival of sailing art and culture!

Today, July 18, 2025, the 136th Travemünde Week will be ceremoniously opened. The official starting signal is given at 6 p.m. with the signal “Hot the flag!” given by Lübeck’s Mayor Jan Lindenau and Prime Minister Daniel Günther. Günther will also initiate the long-distance regatta “Rund Fehmarn”, in which around 770 sailors from 11 nations take part on 350 boats. Despite a decline in the number of participants compared to the previous year, the sporting level of the event remains high. Especially in the Formula 18 class there will be an exciting duel between the Olympic bronze medalist Paul Kohlhoff and the sailing legends Helge and Christian Sach.

Managing director Frank Schärffe explains that the Travemünder Woche this year is a year of consolidation, which will see a decline in income of around 100,000 euros. Changes in the organization are also noticeable: Instead of nine regatta courses, only four are now planned, which is explained, among other things, by the fact that the green beach will not be used this year, meaning that 40,000 euros could be saved. In addition, the organizers will receive financial support from the city of Lübeck in the amount of 300,000 euros and 150,000 euros from the state of Schleswig-Holstein in order to achieve a balanced budget.

Festival program and artistic highlights

The Travemünde Week festival program offers a diverse range of music, art and other attractions. Different artists will perform on two stages every day, including the Möwenschiet shanty choir and the Nite Club on the opening day, followed by other musical highlights such as Die Junx and Rossi & Offel in the following days. The festival concludes on July 27th with an exciting fireworks display and a performance by Nervling.

In addition, maritime art by artists from Travemünde and the region will be presented in the glass cruise terminal at Ostpreußenkai. The themes of the artworks revolve around the sea, ships, beach, wind and sailing. Daily, free workshops and program items offer visitors the opportunity to get in interactive contact with the art scene. Among the participating artists are names like Inga Prasse and Gerd Rehme.

Logistical aspects and completion of the event

For a smooth journey to Travemünde Week, the use of public transport is recommended. Additional bus connections and extended operating times of the Northern ferry are used. For the highlight of the event, a spectacular final fireworks display is planned on July 27th at 10.45 p.m. from the Nordermole, which will captivate not only the participants but also the visitors.

This year too, Travemünde Week promises an exciting mix of sport, culture and sociability, while adapting to the challenges and changes that the current year brings with it.