Matjestage in Bremerhaven: Over 50,000 guests at the maritime festival!
Experience the Matjestage in Bremerhaven from July 11th to 13th, 2025: A festival with fish, live music and maritime flair!

Matjestage in Bremerhaven: Over 50,000 guests at the maritime festival!
The anticipation in Bremerhaven is great, because from July 11th to 13th the fishing harbor showcase will once again be the venue for the popular Matjestage. This event combines several highlights under one roof: in addition to the matje days, there will be a Venetian harbor spectacle and the US car meeting “Fish & Cars” invites car lovers to present their dream vehicles. Over the years, the Matjestage has become a fixture in Bremerhaven's event calendar and attracts around 50,000 visitors to the south of the city every year. A real fish party for all pleasures! Nord24 reports that the perfect mix of cuisine and entertainment is offered here.
This year the event is particularly celebrated: the herring roll is celebrating its 33rd anniversary and is offered in a spectacular length of 33 meters. The first portions can be purchased from 1:33 p.m. and the proceeds will benefit DKMS. A real treat with a good cause that will delight all fish lovers!
A colorful festival program for everyone
Of course, it's all about the herring, which invites you to enjoy it in a variety of ways. Visitors can marvel at original Dutch herring carts that “Nieuwe Haring” carry on site. Other culinary delicacies will not be neglected: Herman's giant fried fish, Dutch cheese and poffertjes, these are just a few of the highlights. For the gourmets among the guests, there is more in-depth insight into the multi-vision project “Fischbahnhof 360°”, which focuses on the history of the fishing port and sustainable fishing.
The entertainment program promises numerous musical performances. Various bands and choirs can be seen on two stages over the three festival days, including the Blancker Sound with soul music on Friday, the Shantychor Oosterström and the Sailors' Choir Bremerhaven on Saturday, as well as other groups on Sunday. This means that the maritime flair can be felt well into the night!
Attractions for the whole family
An extensive children's program is offered for younger guests, which combines a maritime ambience with walking acts, balloon modelling, face painting and a craft corner. The whole thing is complemented by the holiday oasis in the fishing port window, which invites you to relax with sand, beach chairs and deck chairs. Anyone who is interested in the culinary highlights should not miss the special “Matjes Tour” on July 12th and 13th. This guided culinary journey of discovery costs 15 euros and takes participants to various delicacies.
And anyone interested in large automobiles will be pleased about the US car meeting “Fish & Cars”, where over 150 vehicles are expected. Whether you're a fan of fish or cars, there's something for everyone here. As Bremerhaven.de points out, you can expect an incomparable experience that will certainly create many memories: “A folk festival for everyone”, where the focus is on culinary delights and a good atmosphere. From live grilling to taster cooking shows with master chef Ralf Harms, there is a lot to discover here!
Be sure that the weekend from July 11th to 13th in the fishing harbor shop window is one of the most beautiful of the season and will be an unforgettable experience with a mixture of music, cuisine and maritime flair. Get your friends and family together and experience the matje days up close. For detailed information and the complete program check out the official website of the event: Matjestage Bremerhaven.