I think, the Kieler Woche is the most important event in the city. Every year over a million…read morevisitors watch the spectacular Windjammerparade, enjoy concerts or the delicious food from the international market. Many nations send their official marine-training-sailors, especially the ones from Russia are very impressive! Therefore you can meet a very interesting mixture of different people.
In the past it was really a big deal going to the Kieler Woche, not only because the music-acts are some of the most successful ones in Germany, but also because every concert was free, and in the meantime you can enjoy one of the delicate meals from one of the numerous food-huts. After the official program one can party until twilight in one of the clubs or just on the street (especially Eggerstett-Straße).
By now it is less fun going there (my opinion). Many of the concerts ares not free anymore, the access is regulated, the program is nearly the same from year to year, and once you have tried every single snack, there is nothing more to explore. By the way,the prices are really high, so be sure to have enough money in your pocket!!!
The only thing I really enjoy every year is the firework at the last sunday. I have never seen something more impressive, and I have seen many fireworks in my life ;)