17 July to 22 August 2026
Bootshafensommer

Free and outdoors for everyone: summer, music and the sea! The Bootshafensommer brings live music right into the heart of Kiel city centre over six weekends. On the floating stage, visitors can enjoy local up-and-coming artists, well-known acts and a varied programme featuring rock, pop, reggae and classical music. There’ll also be delicious snacks, refreshing drinks and the unique maritime backdrop – the perfect event for enjoying summer right in the heart of the city.

The current 2026 programme

Bootshafensommer 2026 Programme

Here you’ll find an overview of this year’s cultural and music programme

Programme 2026

Download the leaflet

Here are the programme highlights:

31 July
Kiel Democracy Festival

The Kiel Partnership for Democracy warmly invites you to the Kiel Democracy Festival on Friday 31 July, from 3 pm to 10 pm at Kiel’s boat harbour. The duo Akkordarbeit will set the mood right from the start with a lively, interactive concert. Making music together lifts your spirits and is great fun! We also invite you to explore the many fantastic interactive activities for young and old alike in the eight pavilions. Clubs and initiatives from the Kiel Alliance for Democracy are organising a wide range of activities for you. ZEIK and the ZEIK Creative Workshop from Gaarden will also be there. Get creative and celebrate democracy with us! Warm regards, your Partnership for Democracy Kiel

Find out more

1 August
Summer Festival of Kiel’s Overseas Associations

A trip round the world – right here at Kiel’s marina? No problem. The summer festival organised by Kiel’s international associations brings together traditional songs and dances from different countries, alongside culinary specialities and fascinating facts about the various nations and communities. Do come along and let yourself be swept away and inspired by the diversity on offer.

14 and 15 August
This is how the North plays

Casino Kiel is hosting the weekend’s events at the Bootshafensommer Festival

Normally, the sounds of the summer at the marina only faintly reach the casino’s premises. We wanted to change that, so we invited Casino Kiel right onto the riverside terraces so that everyone could really join in the celebrations there for a change. No sooner said than done: under the motto ‘That’s how the North plays’, a fresh, relaxed mix of music and the best summer atmosphere await you at the Casino Weekend. Of course, there’ll be plenty of chilled drinks and delicious food on offer too. Join Casino Kiel in raising a glass to its 30th anniversary – and you might even be in for a surprise or two.

To Casino Kiel

21 August
Live broadcast of the summer theatre production: Faust

What is undoubtedly the most famous play in the German language is being turned into a grand open-air musical on the Kiel Fjord. Johann Wolfgang von Goe[1]the’s *Faust* is the summer theatre production to kick off the season. Arrive early to secure the best seats!
Be there when the free premiere of the summer theatre is broadcast live from 8 pm on a big screen on the banks of the marina (interval 9.15–9.45 pm)! But if it gets too crowded for your liking, there’s no need to be disappointed. The summer theatre will continue to run until 6 September at the MFG5 site in Holtenau-Ost. Tickets are available via: www.theater-kiel.de

You can also look forward to the supporting film ‘KIELympia’, a documentary released in 2022 that explores the sailing competitions at the 1972 Summer Olympics in Kiel and the resulting transformation of the city. The 90-minute film was produced by ZeitZeugenStudio e.V., with directors and filmmakers drawing on previously unpublished amateur footage from eyewitnesses.

21 and 22 August
Charity weekend

When you return your mugs and glasses, you’ll forgo the deposit and make a donation to a good cause. Our catering heroes will then top up the total amount by a further €1,000.

No deposit, great beer, everything’s great!

DAMPERHOF – A PLACE FOR WOMEN*

The Damperhof is a facility run by stadt.mission.mensch in Kiel. Its day centre offers a safe haven for homeless women and women in particularly difficult circumstances. They can come here without having to register to find peace and quiet, have something to eat and drink, and spend the day in a safe environment. The team at the advice centre offers straightforward, professional advice on homelessness, particularly for those who have experienced violence or crises, and helps with finding accommodation and further support. The newly opened soliLaden helps to lower barriers: women can start by coming as customers, strike up a conversation, contribute their own skills, try out the day centre as a place to stay and, step by step, accept support. With the proceeds from the charity weekend, you are supporting the further development of the day centre and the soliLaden. This gives women volunteers and those affected the opportunity to work together to implement new services and projects.

www.stadtmission-mensch.de

AIDA Ship Tours

Will it be love at first sight? Discover the fascinating world of AIDA live on board! On a guided tour of the ship, you’ll explore the public areas, take a look at the different cabin categories and enjoy a delicious lunch in one of the on-board restaurants. Let yourself be swept away by the unique AIDA experience and find out if this is where your new favourite holiday begins. You can book dates in Kiel via the link below, or, with a bit of luck, you could win 5 x 2 places for this exciting experience!

Book an AIDA ship tour

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FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

Where does the Boat Harbour Summer take place?

The marina is centrally located, right in the heart of Kiel. Surrounded by a maritime atmosphere and in the immediate vicinity of Kiel Town Hall, the Old Market and the Kiel Fjord. Address: Bootshafen 24103 Kiel - 54°19'15.7"N 10°08'19.5"E
Do I need to buy tickets?

No, the Bootshafen Summer is on – for everyone – open-air and free of charge in the heart of beautiful Kiel.
What are the opening hours?

You’re very welcome to pop in every Friday and Saturday between 3 pm and 10 pm. We look forward to seeing you!
Are there any public toilets?

Yes, there are free public toilets available. There is also an accessible toilet on site for holders of a so-called ‘Euro key’. If you do not have such a key, please just let us know.
Are there any activities for children?

As well as the musicians, there’s the popular sack-throwing game for the little ones; you can pick up some free ear protectors for your children at the information stand.
What sort of food and drink is on offer?

Whether you’re feeling peckish or ravenous, you’ll find everything your heart desires, from hearty burgers, fish rolls and chips to savoury vegan crêpes, falafel and gyros. For dessert, there’s ice cream and sweet vegan crêpes.
The drinks menu ranges from classics such as beer and soft drinks, through to freshly made cocktails and long drinks, right through to a variety of speciality coffees.
Can I bring my own food and drink?

Yes. You will be in a public area during the event. Please bear in mind, however, that a fantastic and costly programme is organised here every year, and the organiser and stallholders therefore rely on the sale of food and drink.

How to get there

The Bootshafen is centrally located in the heart of Kiel and can be easily reached by bus, bicycle, car or on foot.

Bus

The ‘Bootshafen’ bus stop is served by KVG bus routes 30S, 32, 41/42 and 61/62. You can find timetable information here via Nah.SH.

Car

There are plenty of parking spaces available in the immediate vicinity. For more information, visit www.parken-plus.info.

Bicycle

Bicycle racks are available. You can also make use of the SprottenFlotte bike-sharing scheme.

Accessibility

The venue is accessible to all, and there is a disabled toilet available for holders of a Euro-WC key.

That’s Parken-Plus

Whether you’re travelling by car, bus, ferry or bike – simply show your ticket, valid for that day, when you pay and get at least €0.50 back on purchases of €10 or more. Over 50 shops, restaurants and service providers in Kiel city centre are taking part. Your ticket remains valid and can be used multiple times – so, in the best-case scenario, you’ll save more than the cost of getting there!

Further information on Parken-Plus