Swedish troops, Nordic delicacies and music from Stockholm and Småland at the 25th Sweden Festival from August 20 to 23, 2026 in Wismar
From August 20 to 23, 2026, Hanseatic City of Wismar will once again be celebrating a major Swedish festival to commemorate its long-standing affiliation with the Kingdom of Sweden. This year is an anniversary festival, as the people of Wismar are organizing it for the 25th time.
Since 2000, this town festival has grown to become the largest Swedish festival outside Sweden. Swedish troops camping and fighting on the market square is a familiar sight at the Swedish Festival. The Carolinians, a military history group, bring the history of the regiments that secured the city of Gothenburg and its fortress in the 17th century to life. Dressed in period costumes, the Swedes share their camp life with festival visitors in Wismar and also perform battle scenes.
A varied cultural program guarantees colorful entertainment during this long weekend, including Swedish artists and bands. The large stage on which artists perform is also located on the market square. At Ziegenmarkt there is a small stage where mainly singer-songwriters perform, and at the fountain in Krämerstraße there is a cabaret stage.
The program stretches along a festival mile through the entire Old Town to the harbour. Numerous traders offer their wares on the festival mile, including Nordic products, but there is also a wide variety of food and drink on the festival mile. At the Old Harbour there is a festival atmosphere, with a Ferris wheel, bumper cars, children's carousel and other amusement arcades providing fun and excitement. The harbor tip is transformed into the "Mötesplats" (Swedish for "meeting place") and brings the atmosphere of a Swedish summer festival to life.
On Friday evening, fireworks can be admired on the market square. For the youngest, there is the Children's Swedish Festival at the Fürstenhof on Saturday. The Swedish Festival is also a sporting event, with a Kubb tournament on Saturday and a Swedish run over three different distances on Sunday. Another highlight is the Schwedenweg, a historical parade through Wismar's old town. The four days of festivities will conclude with an ABBA tribute show on the main stage on Wismar's market square.
Highlights:
Music and entertainment on 5 stages - festival mile from the market square to the Old Harbour - "Mötesplats" at the Old Harbour - youth stage - fireworks - laser show - children's Swedish festival - Kubb tournament - Swedish head regatta - Swedish run - Swedish trail: festival parade - a journey through time through the Swedish history of the Hanseatic City of Wismar.
Live & show acts:
SEELENSCHIFFE (KARAT tribute band) - Simple Sing (energetic cover band from Dessau) - The Robbie Williams Show (charismatic, energetic live production) - LUXUSRAUSCH (party band) - Sydney Youngblood (Let the Music Play) - "The ABBA Show" (rousing ABBA tribute production)
Further information on the Internet: www.schwedenfest-wismar.de
