SYLT HIGHLIGHTS 2011
In the following you will find an outline of the highlights in the 2011 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 1 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 20 and 23 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, 21 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 20 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
SYLT ART FESTIVAL
The SYLT ART FESTIVAL will take place in Keitum from 3 to 10 April. The festival is going to be an impressive composition of classical music and jazz, fine arts and culinary delights.
OSTERFEUER & OSTEREIERLAUF
On 23 April locals and guests gather around the traditional Easter eve bonfire in Hörnum. On Easter Sunday, 24 April, 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.
MAY
GOLF TROPHY PRIVATEOPEN
Four of the finest private hotels Landhaus Stricker, Benen-Diken-Hof, Fährhaus Sylt and Hotel Rungholt invite players to the next edition of the Private Open from 1 to 7 May. The golf tournament takes place at four different courses.
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.
HARLEY-DAVIDSON-TOUR
On 28 May, around 500 Harley Davidson riders from all over Germany take a 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.
JUNE
BEACH POLO WORLD CUP SYLT
Pure energy promises the Beach Polo World Cup in Hörnum. On 11 and 12 June international polo teams fight for win and glory.
MITSOMMERNACHTS-WANDERUNG
On 20 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.
SYLTER LAMMTAGE
From 24 to 26 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.
INSELCIRCUS
Until the beginnung og September, 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 find out wether 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.
KITESURF WORLD CUP
The worlds best Kite Surfers demonstrate spectacular manoeuvres while the German Kite Surf Trophy from 28 June to 3 July in Westerland.
JULY
RINGREITEN
When the so-called “Galgen” (gallows) are put up in the easter villages of Sylt between July 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 different clubs.
KINDER-UNI
If you don't ask, you won't know! The most important kids’ questions are answered in the courses of the Kinder-Uni (Kids University) in “kunst:raum sylt quelle” in Rantum during July and August. Well known lecturers take little scientists on fascinating journeys to natures secrets. Accompanying seminars take place in the science centre Erlebniszentrum Naturgewalten.
KAMPENER LITERATUR- UND MUSIKSOMMER
For July, August and September 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 fourteenth year.
MEERKABARETT
The Meerkabarett (Sea Cabaret) is first-class entertainment with top performers. Prominent and unknown musicians, artists and comedians come together here for events and shows. The extraordinary cultural festival is held in the Sylt-Quelle in Rantum from July to September.
60 SEEMEILEN VOR SYLT
The traditional long-range-regatta, 60 seamiles off the coast of Sylt, takes place on 9 and 10 July from Hörnum to List an back.
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.
HÖRNUM SUMMER THEATER
“Pippi in Taka-Tuka-Land” is hosted by Hörnum from 11 July to 13 August. The famous story will be performed as an exciting and at the same time humorous musical. Children and youths can participate in musical workshops.
WESTERLÄNDER WINZERFEST
Vintage wines and an atmospheric ambience: from 14 to 17 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.
SUPER SAIL SYLT
Ship ahoy in Hörnum from 16 to 17 July. The Sylter Catamaran Club arranges its regatta with a thrilling competition on the water.
GERMAN WINDSURFING CUP
Between 27 and 31 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.
GERMAN POLO MASTERS SYLT
Toward the end of July, the polo world meets in Keitum for the German Polo Masters. From 29 July to 7 August, a total of six teams play for the Sal. Oppenheim Gold Cup.
DORFTEICHFEST
On 30 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.
AUGUST
ARIEN AM MEER
On 3 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.
HÖRNUMER HAFENFEST
From 5 to 7 of August, the Harbour Festival in Hörnum offers a wealth of activities on land and at sea. This year it celebrates the 23nd anniversary.
SYLTER GOSPELNACHT
On 6 August, the Gospel Night at Westerland’s Musikmuschel provides ‘heavenly’ pleasures with beautiful gospels and spirituals.
SYLT SAILING WEEK
A blaze of colours salutes the eye between 19 and 28 August, when the Sailing Week fills the sea of Westerland with sails flapping in the wind. Culinary delights and a fringe programme round off the event.
SEPTEMBER
LONGBOARD FESTIVAL SYLT
On a wave on Kampen’s beach, Buhne 16 hosts the Longboard Festival Sylt on 6 to 11 September.
WINDSURFING WORLD CUP SYLT
The world’s best windsurfers meet in Westerland between 23 September and 3 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.
RUN UMS RANTUM-BECKEN
On 25 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.
OCTOBER
HERBSTMARKT
The autumn market in Morsum is called the Golden October. On 15 and 16 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, Kampen and Hörnum.
DECEMBER
WEIHNACHTSBADEN
On 26 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.
KLIFFMEILE
Between 27 December and 3 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.
SILVESTERLAUF
Those who want to get some exercise before partying can take part in the Silvesterlauf (New Year’s Eve run) on 31 December in Westerland. Crazy costumes are not strictly required, but they show what the run is all about: lots of fun!
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.)
