Millet Porridge Ride: A Centuries-Old Tradition Stops in Rheinfelden
On Thursday, August 20, 2026, Rheinfelden will be the setting for a very special event: the time-honored Hirsebrei boat parade will make a stop at our boat landing. This historic tradition, which has brought people together along the Limmat, Aare, and Rhine rivers for centuries, dates back to 1456 and has been held every ten years since World War II. We look forward to welcoming the millet porridge boat passengers and numerous guests from near and far to Rheinfelden.
The Millet Porridge Boat Parade is based on an event that took place in 1456. At that time, the city of Zurich wanted to demonstrate its bond with Strasbourg and sent a pot of freshly cooked millet porridge down the Rhine by water. Back then—with no weirs or locks—the journey was quick, and the porridge reached its destination while still warm. This was a symbolic testament to the strong bond between the two cities. To this day, the story of the Millet Porridge Voyage is kept alive and celebrated extensively every ten years as a symbol of friendship and cross-border cooperation.
Rheinfelden as an Official Stage and Overnight Stop
The traditional Millet Porridge Ride will take place this year from August 19 to 23, 2026. We are delighted to once again serve as an official stopover and overnight destination this year and to welcome the Millet Porridge Riders to our city. We, the city of Rheinfelden, will give our guests a warm welcome at the boat landing and then treat them to a fish dinner hosted by the Rhein-Club Rheinfelden, exclusively for the Hirsebreifahrt participants.
This time-honored event is a perfect fit for us—a city shaped by the Rhine that combines its history with openness and hospitality. Furthermore, since our founding in 1876, we at the Rhein-Club Rheinfelden have maintained a friendly relationship with the Limmat-Club Zürich, which has organized this traditional cruise since World War II. Incidentally, we at the Rhein-Club Rheinfelden are the second-oldest boating club in Switzerland, following the Limmat-Club Zürich, which was founded in 1869 as the first boating club. That explains our close ties.
Reception for the Entire Community
The program is as follows: On Thursday, August 20, starting at 6:30 p.m., the public can look forward to a lively celebration at the boat landing. The Rheinfelden City Band will provide musical entertainment before the boats—if the schedule is on track—arrive around 7:00 p.m. and are officially welcomed. Following brief remarks by Aargau State Councilor Markus Dieth, Rheinfelden Mayor Claudia Rohrer, and a representative of the Zurich City Council, the City of Rheinfelden cordially invites all visitors to a public cocktail reception. Around 8:20 p.m., the procession will depart and continue the evening program at the Rhein-Club Rheinfelden. There, we will treat our guests to a culinary feast in the festival tent featuring delicious pike, zander fillets, French fries, and cold drinks.
The event featuring the Hirsebreifahrerinnen and Hirsebreifahrer is the perfect kickoff to our fish festival, which—as a special exception this year—will take place not at the end of June, but from August 21 to 23.
Living and Celebrating Traditions Together
The Hirsebreifahrt is much more than a historical custom—it is a vibrant celebration of community and shared history along the Rhine. The fact that this extraordinary event takes place only once every ten years makes the welcome in Rheinfelden a truly special experience.
As the City of Rheinfelden and the Rhein-Club Rheinfelden, we are proud to have been part of this special, traditional, and historic event for decades.
We look forward to inviting the public to the Schifflände on August 20, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. to celebrate this special festival with us and to welcome the Hirsebreifahrt to our old town and along the Rhine.
For more information, visit www.hirsebreifahrt.ch
Nicolás Schmid, Head of City Marketing for the City of Rheinfelden
Stefan Wartmann, Vice President of the Rhein-Club Rheinfelden
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