The winter’s city centre folk festival promises four fantastic days under the banner of tradition. Once ancient mayor Asmus Bremer and his wife Katharina have been awoken for the festivities, the mood turns festive.

“A taste of sailing” – trips and sailing courses for children, youths and guests of our city. The sailing camp, which is the only of its kind in Germany, invites you to optimist sailing courses, city tours by boat.

The Kiellinie turns into a free paradise for kids over a period of three days. Climbing walls, sporting events and many other activities on water and land do not only excite children’s hearts.

Germany’s beach volleyball elite will come again to Kiel’s Holstenplatz. The preliminary tournament of this year’s „Unser Norden“ Beach-Tour promises to keep spectators on the edge of their seats, uniting sports and a breezy beach atmosphere.

Kieler Woche is the world's largest competitive sailing event and the largest summer festival in the north of Europe with its over 1000 events. And what's more, up to 70 hot-air ballooning teams will be attending the eighth international Balloon Sail on the Nordmarksportfeld, casting their magical glow over the sports field as they float off on their evening flight.

The Kultursommer (summer of culture) will shower you in concerts, theatre shows, readings, expositions, lectures and festivities, culminating on 28 August, when the Museumsnacht (night of the museums) will be celebrated featuring remarkable expositions, music, literature and dance in Kiel’s museums until midnight.

This year’s international classic music festival will be focussing on the Baltic states. Some 120 concerts will take place at over 40 venues of very special ambiance. Among them noble country estates, castles, churches, grand manors, large barns and stables.

Now for the third year running, wine and cheese lovers are once again invited to come and taste a few of the more exquisite types of wine and cheese at the Bootshafen cheese and wine tasting event. During the day visitors will be welcome to enjoy live music, small theatrical interludes and the possibility to go sailing and in the evening the “Zelt der Genüsse” (tent of delights).

A diverse cultural and aquatic programme at the Bootshafen: from 2 p.m. until the evening a floating stage will offer poetry slam, jazz dance shows, readings and live music in a relaxed maritime atmosphere.

Some 800 athletes and thousands of spectators already look forward to two fantastic days of sports. First the competitiors will swim trough the Kiel fjord, then race bikes through a varied city centre scenery, to complete their triathlon with the run.

The Museumsnacht (night of the museums) will be celebrated at the 28th August featuring remarkable expositions, music, literature and dance in Kiel’s museums until midnight. There will be a shuttle-service, which takes you from location to location. At the end you can enjoy the closing-party until dawn.

It will be romantic at the Kiel-Canal: inhabitants, cyclists, tourists and many more are invitedto join the longest chain of lights - with candles, torches and lanterns.

This sports event with its beautiful course through the heart of the city and along the shores of the Kiel Fjord consists of a half marathon, a 10-km popular distance and a 6-km school pupil’s distance.

A fresh countryside breeze sweeps the city on the fjord! Since ten years Kiel’s farmers’ and regional market is being held in the centre of Kiel.www.kiel-marketing.de

One of the year´s highlights for horse enthusiasts, Kiel´s Baltic Horse Show is also a treat for the whole family. This year´s horse event again boasts world class riders, international top-ranking horses.

For two days, Kiel’s friendship to its Scandinavian neighbor countries will be celebrated with an exciting program. KIEL OPENS UP for city-wide Sunday-shopping from 1 p.m. – 6 pm

Winterfun in Kiel for the whole family: The 750 sq.m. of ice under cover are situated on the Rathausplatz. Young and old can prove their skills in skating or curling.

Christmas in Kiel is maritime – in sight of the huge ferry terminals, the museum´s port and big cranes of HDW, the city is illuminated in Christmassy lights. Enjoy traditional hot punch and snack stalls as well as handicrafts and culinary delights in wintery port atmosphere in the city