Glückstädter Matjeswochen
Glückstadt is celebrating! Each year on the second Thursday in June, the ceremonial ‘Matjes tasting’ initiates a four-day-long spectacular to celebrate the beginning of the new Matjes season (Glückstädter Matjeswochen). Held since 1968, it is a tradition still upheld today. At the heart of this tradition is a little fish – the original “Glückstadt Matjes”, still processed by hand and prepared according to the traditional recipe. It has not only won the hearts of the town’s citizens, but also of many gourmets from Germany and beyond.
Official Opening
According to time-honored tradition, the Glückstadt Matjes Weeks officially open with the matjes tasting. Hundreds of people wait anxiously on the historic market square for the heavy wooden barrel to be opened and for our guest of honor, Heike Püster from the Tourist and Trade Association, and our mayor, Rolf Apfeld, to bite into the season’s first matjes. A quick chew, a careful taste, and the final word is sure to be “excellent.
Music for every taste
With rock, pop, shanties, and much more! You’re spoiled for choice: Market Stage or Harbor Stage.
Open-Ship-Mile and action at the port
organized by the “Interest Group Matjes Week on the Water”
Along the harbor promenade and in the outer harbor, numerous ships warmly welcome you aboard. Numerous large and small attractions, live music, and action-packed harbor games provide entertainment and variety at the harbor – with exciting competitions on the water and plenty of fun for participants and spectators!
Matjes mile and kids flea market
A must for flea market fans! Glückstadt’s city center transforms into a giant flea market, inviting you to browse, bargain and chat. Whether old or new, useful or quirky, rarity or bargain – there’s plenty to discover.
Saturday, 9am-6pm, Sunday 9am-5pm throughout the city center
On Sunday, the children’s flea market will take place at Norderfleth (museum side) from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Toys, stuffed animals, books, and much more—the little ones can supplement their pocket money by selling at the children’s flea market.
Sunday, 10am-5pm, Norderfleth
Glückstädter Entenrennen
Friday, 6.01 pm, Süderfleth
Excitement is guaranteed when over 2,000 bright yellow, black, or pink rubber ducks plunge into the waters of the Fleth River and swim for victory. Every year the Round Table Glückstadt association is organizing the duck race for a good cause, with many great prizes to be won. The awards ceremony will take place afterward in front of the town church.
Our sponsors, partners and supporters
Always by our side for many years and supporters as well as lovers of the Glückstadt Matjes weeks.
Matjes satt!
Already craving our Glückstadt matjes? Whether classic or something a little more unusual, matjes is at the top of our restaurant’s menu. Reserve a table now.
Can’t get enough of herring? Our production facility delivers this delicacy fresh to your door all year round. Simply add your favorite variety to your cart, and enjoy it in just a few days!
Stay overnight
Looking for a place to stay during the Matjes Weeks? Experience the city up close and stay overnight in the heart of the hustle and bustle. Or treat yourself to a break in a quieter place to recharge your batteries. It’s up to you!
Here you can access the host database of our partner Holstein Tourismus.
Why do we celebrate the Matjes weeks?
While the Danish monarch and founder of Glückstadt, Christian IV, aimed to earn worldwide fame by building the town and its harbour, Dr. Manfred Bruhn had a completely different vision. The town’s former mayor decided to turn the local delicacy – the original “Glückstadt Matjes” – into a tourist attraction. With this vision, he laid the foundation for a local festival that has become one of the biggest festivals in Schleswig-Holstein.
On 13th of June 1968 thanks to Dr. Bruhn’s initiative, the first opening event of the “Glückstädter Matjeswochen” took place. The perfect backdrop was provided by the lugger ship Balder shipping to the inland port and dropping its anchor in front of the herring fishery building. Mayor Dr. Bruhn then climbed on board the logger for the ceremonial tasting of the new season’s first Matjes. In front of a number of journalists from different parts of Northern Germany as well as residents and visitors, the fishing master opened the barrel, bent the back of the Matjes herring, skinned it and offered it to the mayor for tasting. For the first time, he officially took a bite of the first new Matjes and gave his verdict. The herring was already praised back then – a tradition that is still upheld today.
After the end of the herring fishing trade in Glückstadt in 1976, fishing master Helmut Sievers (at the request of Mayor Bruhn) continued the processing and marketing of Matjes herring from Glückstadt. The original “Glückstadt Matjes” is still being processed by hand by the local Matjes producer Plotz.
Matjesgang - History of herring fishing, Döntjes and Matjes
Thursday and Friday during the Glückstädter Matjeswochen, 2 p.m.
Meeting point at the tourist information, price: 10.00 euros
On this tour, you’ll learn more about the history of herring processing and the traditions surrounding the “Original Glückstädter Matjes”. What makes this small, silver delicacy so unique, and why does it taste so exceptionally good here in Glückstadt? Take a look behind the scenes and immerse yourself in the fascinating world of matjes.
GlückstadtLiebe – Our podcast episode about the Matjes weeks
This special episode of out GlückstadtLiebe podcast is all about the highlight of the year: the Glückstadt Matjes weeks! Why is this event so special? Who’s behind all it? And what’s something you absolutely can’t miss? We’ll take you right into the heart of the action – with stories, anecdotes, and, of course, lots of matjes love. Listen now and tune in.
