Free & outdoors for all
Bootshafensommer
18th July – 23rd August 2025
The 17th Boat Harbour Summer takes place in the heart of Kiel's city centre. On six weekends, visitors can look forward to a variety of live music and various themed days on Fridays and Saturdays between 15:00 and 22:00.
Listen to Spotify Playlist
Application Bands 2025 (until 31st March 25)
You and your band want to be on stage this year and inspire the Bootshafen summer with your songs? Click here for the application form.
Wide range of music for every taste
Artists from a wide range of genres, from punk to classical to reggae, provide the soundtrack to summer for every taste against a maritime backdrop. The organizers from Kiel-Marketing attach great importance to a wide range of music - and provide both newcomers from Kiel and nationally known acts with a stage in a unique location. The catering partners spoil guests with culinary delights and summery cold drinks.
Impressions from last year
Kiel is a cultural pearl!
The INTERREG project ‘BSR Cultural Pearls’ aims to empower cities, municipalities and regions of the Baltic Sea Region to increase their social resilience. By utilising the potential of local culture and creativity, it also aims to promote cooperation in the communities, the quality of life and the attractiveness of the regions and improve their visibility.
The Cultural Pearl stands for creativity, exchange and community. The boat harbour summer serves as a platform for various inclusive activities, such as sing-along concerts, a salsa flashmob and a graffiti workshop.
Further information and a wealth of Cultural Pearls activities can be found at:
The summer party of Kiel's international associations
On 3 August 2024, the working group of Kiel's foreign associations moved into our festival pagodas on the waterfront terrace of the boat harbour with colourful multicultural diversity. From 3 p.m., the summer festival of Kiel's foreign associations - AKA for short - delighted visitors with culinary specialities, typical local dancing and singing as well as fascinating facts about the various countries and communities. Associations from China, Japan, Ukraine, Great Britain, the Philippines, Ghana, Poland, Sweden and Nigeria took part in the event. The organiser and cooperation partner was ZBBS e.V.
This year, Color Line supported the AKA summer festival as a further strong partner and in the spirit of the unifying, peaceful idea. Color Line is Norway's largest shipping company in international passenger and freight transport to and from Norway and is one of the leading shipping companies in European short-haul shipping.
Der Musico e.V. ließ es krachen!
The Musico e.V. association has been committed to Kiel's local music scene for over 30 years. The initiative supports, promotes and inspires its members for music from all genres. The association offers rehearsal opportunities, organises events and workshops and connects old and young generations of musicians.
Further information: www.musico-kiel.de
Benefit weekend in favour of the Inka e.V.D
When they returned their glasses, they waived the deposit and donated to the good cause. Our caterers rounded up the amount by a further €1000.
inka - the Kiel initiative against child poverty - supports children from low-income families who have no access to musical instruments, dance or sport. Over a two-year period, pupils in Year 3 are supported from learning an instrument to forming a small orchestra.
Further information: www.inka-kiel.de
Kiel duck race in favour of "Trauernde Kinder Schleswig-Holstein e.V."
More than 100,000 ducks have been sent into the race over the last 17 years, raising a total of over 1 million euros for charitable causes here in Kiel.
August 25th
18th Kiel duck race in aid of the "Trauernde Kinder Schleswig-Holstein e.V." association
More than 100,000 ducks have been sent into the race over the last 17 years, raising a total of over 1 million euros for charitable causes here in Kiel. This year, the boat harbor will once again be the venue for the race. Simply get your racing license and join in the excitement on race day. Great prizes await the winners! On the duck - get set - go!
Further information and advance booking offices at: www.kieler-sprotten.lions.de
Would you like to see the complete program? You can find an overview of the acts on all six weekends here:
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 bus stop "Bootshafen" is served by the KVG bus lines 30S, 32, 41/42 and 61/62. Here you can get timetable information via Nah.SH.
Car
Sufficient parking spaces are available in the immediate vicinity. Information at www.parken-plus.info.
Bicycle
Bicycle racks are available. You can also use the SprottenFlotte bike-sharing service. The first 30 minutes are free of charge.
Accessibility
Access to the event is barrier-free, and a disabled toilet is available for holders of a Euro WC key.
Many thanks to our sponsors!
Would you like to support the Bootshafensommer with your contribution?
Your contact persons
Christian Schütze
Head of Event Management
Tel.: 0431 / 679 10-53
Mail: c.schuetze (at) kiel-marketing.de
Nicolas Grimm
Program management/ band applications
Mail: n.grimm (at) kiel-marketing.de
Eva Zeiske
Press Officer
Tel.: 0431 / 679 10-26
Mail: e.zeiske (at) kiel-marketing.de
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