SYLT HIGHLIGHTS 2010
In the following you will find an outline of the highlights in the 2010 programme of events.
For more detailed information search the calendar of events (available in German only).
Calendar of events >>
JANUARY
NEUJAHRSBADEN
The best cure for a New Year’s Eve hangover is to take part in the popular Neujahrsbaden (New Year’s Day Swim) on 1st of January 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.
SALON.BUDERSAND
Hotel Budersand becomes a concert hall once in a month. There is a programme with both, known artists and talented newcomer artists, the whole year through. Great entertainment with music and recitation.
GOURMET-FESTIVAL SYLT
The culinary firmament above Sylt shines brighter than ever. Michelin stars twinkle in the sky, guiding the way to the Sylt Gourmet Festival. Between 21st and 24th of January, the five top Sylt gastronomes Holger Bodendorf, Franz Ganser, Johannes King, Pius Regli and Detlef Tappe invite you to explore their culinary world of finest delicacies.
FEBRUARY
BIIKEBRENNEN
According to old Frisian custom, 21st of February is the day of the Biikebrennen celebrations. For miles around, the evening sky glows by the light of bonfires in all of Sylt’s villages to drive out the winter. While the biike (Frisian for “piles of wood”) burns slowly down, people feast on the traditional Biike dish – kale with sausage and fried potatoes – which is served in almost every Sylt restaurant and home that evening.
MARCH
SYLTLAUF
The Syltlauf (Sylt run) on 21st of March attracts distance runners from far and wide. More than 1,300 runners set off from Hörnum to List this year. The distance from Sylt’s southernmost tip up to the island’s northern end is exactly 33.333 metres.
APRIL
OSTERFEUER & OSTEREIERLAUF
On 3rd of April 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. Later on, everyone gathers round the Easter bonfire lit on the beach at Buhne 16 next to Kampen.
SYLT ART FESTIVAL
The SYLT ART FESTIVAL will take place in Keitum from 11th to 25th of April. The festival is going to be an impressive composition of classical music and jazz, fine arts and culinary delights.
MAY
MUSIK AM MEER
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 Romada Singers. In July and August, Camerata Budapest adds classical music to the daily programme.
PRIVATEOPEN
The four Privathotels (private hotels) Landhaus Stricker, Benen-Diken-Hof, Fährhaus Sylt and Hotel Rungholt invite players to the next edition of the Private Open from 2nd to 8th of May. The golf tournament takes place at four different courses.
BEACH POLO WORLD CUP SYLT
Pure energy promises the Beach Polo World Cup in Hörnum. On 22nd and 23rd of May international polo teams fight for win and glory.
SYLTER LAMMTAGE
From 28th to 30th of May not only a fresh sea breeze blows at the promenade in Westerland but also a breeze of garlic, rosemary, and other herbs. During the Sylter Lammtage (lamb days) the promenade turns into a culinary paradise.
JUNE
RINGREITEN
When the so-called “Galgen” (gallows) are put up in the east of Sylt between June 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.
INSELCIRCUS
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. And for one weekend in August, when young circus artists from all over the world compete at the SOLyCIRCO Festival for the Sylt Artistes’ Award, the island becomes a Monte Carlo of the North.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON-RUNDFAHRT
On 5th of June, around 500 Harley Davidson riders from all over Germany take a Harley Davidson Tour across the island. In the morning, the bikers are welcomed on Westerland’s promenade in proper style: by a country band and a team of cheerleaders.
MITSOMMERNACHTS-WANDERUNG
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.
KITESURF WORLD CUP
The worlds best Kite Surfers demonstrate spectacular manoeuvres while the German Kite Surf Trophy from 22nd to 27th of June in Westerland.
JULY
KAMPENER LITERATUR- UND MUSIKSOMMER
For July and August, Kampen’s literature festival, the Literatur- und Klassiksommer, has invited high-profile writers to delight their audience with readings and interviews in Kaamp Hüs. The festival is now in its thirteenth year.
BEACHPARTYS
In the mild summer nights of July and August, Sylt’s hot beach parties beckon you to dance the night away barefoot in the sand and flirt with the stars until sunrise. The Beach Club Westerland is one of the best-known beach parties.
DIE SCHATZINSEL
“Treasure Island” is hosted by Hörnum from 19th July to 15th of August. The famous novel will be performed as a exciting and at the same time humorous musical about pirates, a hidden treasure and a secret map. Children and youths can participate in musical workshops.
MEERKABARETT
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 August.
WESTERLÄNDER WINZERFEST
Vintage wines and an atmospheric ambience: from 15th to 18th of July, Westerland’s promenade hosts the Winzerfest (wine festival) with tasting stands from various wine-growing areas. Special highlight: the “Seefeuerwerk”, a big fireworks by the seaside.
CATAMARAN-REGATTA
Ship ahoy in Hörnum from 10th to 11th of July. The Sylter Catamaran Club arranges its regatta with a thrilling competition on the water.
60 SEEMEILEN VOR SYLT
The traditional long-range-regatta, 60 seamiles off the coast of Sylt, takes place on the 17th and 18th of July in Hörnum.
DEUTSCHER WINDSURFING CUP
Between 21st and 25th of 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 German champion. The spectators have lots of diversions to look forward to even beyond the surf.
DORFTEICHFEST
On 31st of July, as every year on the last Saturday in July, the Dorfteichfest (village festival by the pond) in Wenningstedt promises fun and games and tasty food.
GERMAN POLO MASTERS SYLT
Toward the end of July, the polo world meets in Keitum for the German Polo Masters. From 23rd to 28th of July and from 30th July to 1st of August, a total of six teams play for the Sal. Oppenheim Gold Cup.
AUGUST
HÖRNUMER HAFENFEST
From 6th to 8th of August, the Harbour Festival in Hörnum offers a wealth of activities on land and at sea. This year it celebrates the 22nd anniversary.
ARIEN AM MEER
On 4th of August, friends of classical music should take a seat in front of Westerland’s Musikmuschel, where Arien am Meer (arias by the seaside), an event with international soloists singing lively operetta tunes, promises a feast for the ears.
SUPER SAIL SYLT TOUR
A blaze of colours salutes the eye between 12th and 15th of August, when the catamaran regatta Super Sail Sylt fills the sea of Westerland with sails flapping in the wind. Culinary delights and a fringe programme round off the event.
SYLTER GOSPELNACHT
On 7th of August, the Gospel Night at Westerland’s Musikmuschel provides ‘heavenly’ pleasures with beautiful gospels and spirituals.
SEPTEMBER
RUN UMS RANTUM-BECKEN
On 12th of September the 10 kilometre run around "Rantum-Becken", the amazing nature reserve, takes place. On the first five kilometres you will be impressed by the water world or the Wadden Sea. The last five kilometres will lead you through the green island.
LONGBOARD FESTIVAL SYLT
On a wave on Kampen’s beach, Buhne 16 hosts the Longboard Festival Sylt on 7th to 12th of September.
WORLD CUP SYLT
The world’s best windsurfers meet in Westerland between 24th of September and 3rd of October for the World Cup Sylt. They compete for world ranking points in the disciplines of wave, slalom 42 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 Brandenburger Strand you can watch the breathtaking manoeuvres of the one hundred top athletes at close quarters. When the contest is over, it’s time to celebrate in the big marquee on the promenade.
OCTOBER
HERBSTMARKT
The autumn market in Morsum is called the golden October. On 16th and 17th of October the culture friends of Morsum invite everybody to enjoy the autumn atmosphere at Morsum Hüs.
NOVEMBER
WEIHNACHTSMÄRKTE
At the end of November, the cosy Christmas market season begins on the island. As usual, it is rung in by the Archsumer Weihnachtsstübchen, followed by the markets in Morsum, Keitum, Kampen and Hörnum.
DECEMBER
WEIHNACHTSBADEN
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 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.
SILVESTERLAUF
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!
KLIFFMEILE
Between 27th of December and 2nd of January, Sylt celebrates the longest party on the island, the Kliffmeile in Wenningstedt. On New Year’s Eve, there’s a party at the chapel place with a big fireworks display on the beach.
OPEN-AIR-SILVESTER-PARTY
The open-air New Year’s Eve Party on Westerland’s beach promenade has become a cult event. And on the beaches outside the villages, the occasional New Year rocket does burn up above the sea.
(We accept no liability for the accuracy of this information.)
