Osterholz Harvest Festival
The city's largest festival, celebrated annually in August from Friday to Monday. With numerous attractions, a festive parade and fireworks, it draws visitors from across the region.
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Osterholz-Scharmbeck
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ℹ️Practical info — Osterholz-Scharmbeck
▾
🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Book a traditional Torfkahn (peat boat) tour to explore the nearby Teufelsmoor from the water.
- The flat landscape is excellent for cycling; rent a bike to reach the moor villages.
- Visit the Klosterkirche (monastery church), an impressive remnant of the town's founding days.
- Parking is generally easy, but check for free municipal lots slightly outside the immediate shopping streets.
🍽 Food
🍽
Knipp
A traditional local oat-and-meat sausage, served crispy pan-fried in rural inns.
🍽
Butterkuchen
Enjoy a slice of this sweet yeast dough pastry at local bakeries with an afternoon coffee.
🍽
Regional Asparagus
If visiting in spring, order dishes with fresh regional asparagus at restaurants in the center.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Weekly Market
Visit the local market for fresh regional produce and regional moor specialties.
🛍
Regional Farm Shops
Look out for small farm shops on the outskirts selling homemade jams and products from the Teufelsmoor.
🧘
Klosterholz
A serene forest area near the former monastery, well-suited for a quiet walk under ancient trees.
🧘
Teufelsmoor Nature Reserve
Head out to the moor edges at sunrise or sunset for incredible light and absolute silence.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
1
Osterholz-Scharmbeck is located just north of Bremen, bordering the enigmatic Teufelsmoor (Devil's Moor). The city was formed by the union of two distinct settlements: the market town of Scharmbeck and the monastic village of Osterholz. Scharmbeck's history is characterized by a strong tradition of cloth-making and trade, while Osterholz developed around a Benedictine nunnery founded in 1182. The Romanesque abbey church stands as a testament to its medieval spiritual importance. Today, the city is the administrative and educational hub of the Osterholz district. Its strategic location serves as a gateway for tourists exploring the Teufelsmoor and the nearby world-famous artists' colony of Worpswede. The local environment is defined by expansive marshlands and historical peat canals, creating a unique North German atmosphere. The annual Scharmbeck Autumn Market, one of the region's oldest livestock fairs, continues to be a major social and economic highlight.
- Location: Lower Saxony, Germany
- Top sights: St. Mary's Monastery Church · Osterholz-Scharmbeck Museum Complex · Gut Sandbeck
- Nearby: Vegesack (13 km)
- Population: ~30.717
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | 1 | 2 | 4 | 9 | 13 | 16 | 18 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 6 | 2 |
| Rain mm | 73 | 55 | 51 | 39 | 55 | 64 | 80 | 74 | 58 | 63 | 66 | 73 |
Geography
Facts
- Area: 107.07 square kilometers.
- Elevation: 11 meters above sea level.
- Foundation: Osterholz Abbey was established in 1182.
- Economy: Central service provider for the surrounding moorland.
- Tradition: The Scharmbeck cattle market is over 250 years old.
- Status: Administrative capital of the Osterholz district.
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
Only stops with (optional):
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Sights in the town Osterholz-Scharmbeck (8)
Allwetterbad👨👩👧 family
Allwetterbad in Osterholz-Scharmbeck gives year-round swimming with indoor and outdoor pools.
🌐 allwetterbad.de🕒 Mo-Fr 06:30-21:00; Sa,Su,PH 09:00-18:00; Dec 24,Dec 25,Dec 3
Frequently asked questions
What is the Teufelsmoor?
It is a vast bog landscape north of Bremen. Osterholz-Scharmbeck is a well-suited starting point for excursions into this natural region.
What can you do at Gut Sandbeck?
The historic estate serves as a cultural center. It regularly hosts concerts, art exhibitions, and theatrical performances.
Is a trip to Worpswede worth it?
Yes, the famous artists' village is only about 10 km away. It is known for its museums, galleries, and the history of its artist colony.
What are peat barge trips?
Historical trips on replicated barges formerly used to transport peat. You can explore the canals of the Teufelsmoor this way.
When is the Scharmbecker Autumn Market?
It is one of the region's largest folk festivals and traditionally takes place in late September or early October.
Osterholz-Scharmbeck: where is it located?
Osterholz-Scharmbeck is located in Lower Saxony, Germany.
Osterholz-Scharmbeck: what is there to see?
Highlights include St. Mary's Monastery Church, Osterholz-Scharmbeck Museum Complex, Gut Sandbeck.
Osterholz-Scharmbeck: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Osterholz-Scharmbeck: why is it worth visiting?
Osterholz-Scharmbeck is located just north of Bremen, bordering the enigmatic Teufelsmoor (Devil's Moor).
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