Highlights

An overview of the events on Sylt

January on Sylt

Have a nice start in the new year

New Year's Day | Neujahrsbaden | Wenningstedt

The best cure for a New Year’s Eve hangover is to take part in the popular Neujahrsbaden (New Year’s Day Swim) on January 1st in Wenningstedt. Whether you are a local or a visitor, whether in your bathing or your birthday suit, this icy pleasure has never failed to breathe some life back into a tired reveller after a hard night’s celebrating. Many viewers come to convince themselves of the cold North Sea’s healing powers – not without a glass of hot punch, though.

February on Sylt

Say goodbye to the winter

21st February | Biikebrennen | Islandwide

On the 21st of February it’s most certainly getting hot on Sylt. On this day everyone celebrates the so called Frisian tradition Biikebrennen. For miles around, the evening sky glows by the light of bonfires in most of Sylt’s villages in order to drive out the winter. While the Biike (Frisian for „piles of wood“) burns down slowly, people enjoy the traditional Biike dish – kale with sausage and caramelised potatoes – which is served in almost every restaurant on Sylt this particular evening.

March on Sylt

Time runners

19th March 2023 | Syltlauf | List to Hörnum

The Syltlauf (Sylt run) in March attracts distance runners from all over Germany. More than 1400 runners set off from List to Hörnum every year. The distance from Sylt’s northernmost tip up to the island’s southern end is exactly 33,333 metres.

April on Sylt

Easter on Sylt

6th - 10th April 2023 | Osterfeuer and Ostereierlauf | Hörnum, Kampen

On „Easter Saturday“ locals and guests gather around the traditional Easter eve bonfire in Hörnum. One day later on Easter Sunday, Kampen’s Strönwai, also known as the „Whiskymeile“ (Whiskey Street), hosts the traditional Ostereierlauf (Easter egg-and-spoon race). While the little ones balance their fragile freight on a tablespoon, Kampen’s restaurateurs slip into their famous bunny costumes.

May on Sylt

The sporty summer season begins

1st - 7th May 2023 | Golf Tournament: Private Open Sylt

The event, organised by the „Private Hotels Sylt“, attracts golf fans on a yearly basis. Not merely due to the amazing views most of the golf courses on Sylt offer, but also due to the remarkable culinary programme that’s part of the tournament. The guests can experience three golf courses on Sylt, the Marine GC, GC Sylt and GC Budersand. The winner is honoured with the PRIVATE OPEN CUP.

18th - 29th May 2023 | Summer Opening | Westerland

The summer opening in Westerland officially starts the surfing season on Sylt. The kitesurf and windsurf event presents a diverse programme, which attracts numerous visitors and guarantees a great atmosphere.

27th - 28th May 2023 | Beach Polo World Cup Sylt | Hörnum

Pure energy promises the Beach Polo World Cup in Hörnum. On two days in May international polo teams fight for win and glory.

May - August | Ringreiten | Archsum, Morsum, Keitum

When the so-called „Galgen“ (gallows) are put up in the east of Sylt between May and August, it is not because some criminal’s last hour has struck. The only thing swinging from these gallows is a tiny brass ring, which it is the Ringreiter’s task to snatch at a gallop by means of a lancet. This Sylt tradition reminiscent of medieval tournaments is kept up by eight clubs.

May - October | Musik am Meer | Westerland

Between May and October there’s music in the North Sea air. With the theme „Musik am Meer“ (music by the seaside), Westerland’s Musikmuschel resounds with the songs of the Holiday Party Band. In July and August, Camerata Budapest adds classical music to the daily programme.

June on Sylt

The days are getting longer and nights shorter

June-September | Literatur- und Kultursommer | Kampen

In summer Kampen’s literature festival, the Literatur- und Kultursommer, has invited high-profile writers to delight their audience with readings and interviews in Kaamp Hüs. The festival is now in its fourteenth year.

20th June 2023 | Mittsommernachts-Wanderung | Hörnum

On 20th of June the sun is in the most northern angle to the earth. In the northern hemisphere this constellation leads to the longest day and the shortest night of the year. The day of sun solstice is going to be celebrated with a walking-tour (Mitsommernachtswanderung) around the Hörnum Odde, the southern tip of Sylt.

July on Sylt

Action and Fun for the whole family

July - August | Inselcircus | Wenningstedt

Until the end of August, the InselCircus in Wenningstedt invites Sylt’s youngest visitors into its tent village – not only as spectators but also as real circus artists! In the MitmachCircus, children and young people of all ages can prove that there is a little clown, a great magician or a trapeze artist hidden inside every one of them.

July - September | Meerkabarett | Rantum

The Meerkabarett (Sea Cabaret) is first-class entertainment with top performers. Prominent and unknown authors and artists come together here for events and exhibitions. The extraordinary cultural festival is held in the Sylt-Quelle in Rantum from July to September.

4th - 9th July 2023 | Westerländer Winzerfest | Westerland

Vintage wines and an atmospheric ambience: in July, Westerland’s promenade hosts the Winzerfest (wine festival) with tasting stands from various wine-growing areas. Special highlight: the „Seefeuerwerk“, a big firework right on the beach.

25th - 30th July 2023 | Multivan Surf Cup Sylt | Westerland

In July Westerland’s Brandenburger Strand is the venue of the German Windsurfing Cup, in which the nation’s best windsurfers compete for valuable points for the title of the German champion. Different disciplines, such as racing slalom, waves and freestyle, guarantee sensational performances.

August on Sylt

Summer, sun and fun

2nd - 6th August 2023 | German Polo Masters Sylt | Keitum

In the month of August the polo world meets in Keitum for the German Polo Masters. A total of six teams play for the Sal. Oppenheim Gold Cup. The high-goal-polo-tournament is one of the most renowned and glorious tournaments within Europe and has been exciting participants and guest for years.

August 2023 | Hörnumer Hafenfest | Hörnum

For one weekend in August the Harbour Festival in Hörnum offers a wealth of activities on land and at sea.

23rd - 27th August 2023 | Kitesurf World Cup | Westerland

The world's beste kitesurfers compete off the coast of Westerland. Culinary delights and a fringe programme round off the event.

September on Sylt

Hello September, hello autumn

22th September - 1st October 2023 | Windsurf World Cup Sylt | Westerland

The world’s best windsurfers meet in Westerland for the World Cup Sylt. They compete for world ranking points in the disciplines of wave, slalom and freestyle. The „Wimbledon of windsurfers“ is one of the most important windsurfing events in the world and attracts more than 200.000 spectators every year. From the Brandenburger beach you can watch the breath taking manoeuvres of the one hundred international top athletes at close quarters. When the contest is over, it’s time to celebrate in the big marquee on the promenade.

2nd September 2023 I Cycling Paradise I Wenningstedt

During this vintage cycle event bike lovers ride 100 or 65 km over the whole island with their retro bikes that are older that 23 years old.

October on Sylt

Enjoy the autumn

October 2023 | Megamarsch Sylt | Westerland

Let´s go for a walk around the island. A very special event on Sylt. 100 kilometers in 24 hours through day and night. Discover the island in a special way. Start is at the Musikmuschel in Westerland from there you walk around the whole island and the end of the walk is also in Westerland.

14th - 15th October 2023 | Herbstmarkt | Morsum

When the days are getting shorter and the leaves getting colourful, it´s time for the autumn market in Morsum. In the Muasem Hüs the natives present in a special atmosphere their products made on Sylt.

December on Sylt

Winter on Sylt can be so beautiful.

26th December | Weihnachtsbaden | Westerland Promenade

On 26th of December, the Westerland Christmas Swim, a tradition since 1985, invites intrepid swimmers to plunge into the icy waters of the North Sea – in a fancy dress, swimsuit or in the altogether. Their courage is rewarded with a certificate and a glass of hot punch. And as the several thousand viewers feel chilly just watching, you might think it best to join them for a drink.

28th December - 1st January | Kliffmeile | Wenningstedt

On New Years Eve Sylt’s longest party whatsoever takes place in Wenningstedt – the Kliffmeile. Initially the party marathon was planned for the millennium in 2000. Since then it’s become an amazing event offering a great laser show and fire work right on the beach.

31st December | Silvesterlauf | Westerland

Those who want to get some exercise before partying can take part in the Silvesterlauf (New Year’s Eve run) in Westerland. Crazy costumes are not strictly required, but they show what the run is all about: lots of fun!

31st December | Open-Air-Silvester-Party | Westerland

The open-air New Year’s Eve Party on Westerland’s beach promenade has become a cult event.