Traditions, Lifestyle & Habits in Bremen

Bremen is famous for its unique traditions, which are respected and carefully followed by the locals as well by their ancestors hundreds of years ago. For example, while walking around the city on an ordinary working day, you can see a large group of people who grind, have fun and drink beer.

The occasion for such joy may be really unexpected. For example, someone from the city’s residents celebrates his thirtieth birthday. This anniversary is always particularly celebrated – a male, who celebrates his birthday, should wear a beautiful black coat and a hat. According to a tradition his faithful friends present a big wagon with beer to their friend. If the person, whose name day it is, is not yet married, the birthday party cannot end until the noisy celebration continues near St. Peter Cathedral. According to a tradition, all caps from the beer bottles should be thrown to the steps of the cathedral, and all girls from the guests of the celebration must pay some attention to the main parson of this party.

Another unusual festival is celebrated annually on January 6. It is called "Ice dispute". On this day a procession consisting of most respected men of the city goes to the Weser River in order to check whether it has frozen this year. People dress up in the costumes of Magi, vintage tuxedos and cylinders – the whole procession looks very impressive. Bremen inhabitants follow many traditions and customs of their ancestors for more than one hundred years. This fact adds some unforgettable hospitable charm to the city.

February 25 is the time of one of the biggest annual music festivals - «Bremer Karneval» or the Carnival of samba. This interesting festival has appeared not long ago. It held here for the first time in 1985. The idea of organizing the celebration of the famous Brazilian dance belongs to students of Bremen Dance School. This holiday has impressed the local people so much, that success has been totally predicable. Within just several years a modest Brazilian party has turned into a large-scale carnival, which is attended by thousands of people. Nowadays a grand procession of dancers is accompanied by orchestra and theater groups that organize fascinating and engaging performances right on the streets of the city.

More about Bremen:
Local cuisine and restaurants
Entertainment in Bremen
What to visit in Bremen
Bremen tips
Cityguide to Bremen
Bremen photogallery