Photo: Sarah Rønholt
Photo: Sarah Rønholt
Herring Festival
In Hvide Sande, the last weekend of April each year is dedicated to herring. Over three days, April 24-26, 2026, local associations and businesses host the traditional Herring Festival, where participants compete in the art of catching the most herring, while the festival area is filled with music, cozy atmosphere, and activities for the whole family.
Hvide Sande stands out due to the unique circumstance that in the spring, herring migrate through the drainage sluice to spawn in Ringkøbing Fjord. This makes the area around the lock and the Sportsfiskercenter a true mecca for people from both near and far, who on good days stand shoulder to shoulder.
Photo: Sarah Rønholt
History
The first Herring Festival took place in 1995 under the auspices of Holmsland Klit Tourist Association, and the community spirit is still alive and well today. Countless volunteers are involved in the planning and execution of the event, which is (yet another) example of how initiatives in Hvide Sande are driven forward by people pulling together in a common cause.
Fishing competitions with great prizes.
Live music in the tent.
Food experiences, focusing on local fish dishes.
Activities for children and children at heart.
Demonstration of herring smoking and cooking.
Large Balut tournament.
See the full program below
The full program will be shared here on the page as soon as it's ready.
Fredag den 24. april
17:00
Fredagsbaren og køkkenet åbner
— og du kan købe fiskefrikadeller, fiskefileter, grillpølser, og drikkevarer i HVAK-teltet
17:00
Varde Garden spiller op (fra Æ Karklud)
— optog med start ved Æ Karklud, gennem byen, over sluserne til festivalpladsen, i spidsen for balut-turneringen Hvide Sande Opens parade
17:20
Varden Garden ankommer
— og spiller op til fest foran Sildefestival teltet.
17:30
Indregistrering til firmafiskekonkurrence
— deltagere til firma-sildefiskekonkurrencerne indregistreres (tilmeld til leif@hkt.dk)
18:00
Firma-sildefiskekonkurrence
— hvor det endegyldigt bliver afgjort hvilken virksomhed der bærer førertrøjen (og vinder håneretten), når det gælder kunsten at fange flest mulig forårssild
19:00
Musik - Volf Duo live
— med de kendte og elskede syng med-sange, og alle hitsene håndspillet på scenen i det hyggelige HVAK-telt
21:00
DJ i teltet
— bærer festen videre ind i de sene aftentimer, indtil folk skal hjem og se dyner, og udskænkningen i teltet lukker senest klokken 01:00
Forbehold for eventuelle ændringer, fejl og aflysninger
Practical information
The festival site at Fiskeriets Hus and the area around the drainage sluice in Hvide Sande
April 23–25, 2027
Free parking at Fiskeriets Hus and at the harbor parking lots
Find apartments and cottages in Hvide Sande here
Sign up for the fishing competition
Subject to any changes, errors and cancellations
Price: 150 DKK for adults, 75 DKK for children, and 100 DKK for juniors
Prizes awarded in multiple categories
Fishing license included in the entry fee
Webcam livestream
On the live stream from Hvide Sande Sportsfisker Center below, you can get a good sense of the current fishing conditions at the drainage sluice in Hvide Sande.
Contact
If you have any questions about the competition or feedback and ideas, feel free to contact us via the form below.We look forward to seeing you in Hvide Sande!