German Wine Harvest and W.I.N.E Festival

The German Wine Harvest and W.I.N.E Festival in Neustadt is one of the highlights of the wine festival season in the Palatinate region. Featuring one of the biggest wine festival processions in Germany, the traditional events are how the city of Neustadt celebrates Erntedankfest (Thanksgiving Harvest festival), a German holiday.

Wine, funfair rides, music and more!

The German Wine Harvest and W.I.N.E Festival, which date back to 1909, take place simultaneously each year. The German Wine Harvest Festival includes a rustic Palatinate wine village "Haiselscher", which is erected in front of the city hall, a colourful funfair that features numerous rides and stalls with German food, some German beer as well as the famous "Winzerfestumzug" procession. 

Visitors can sample hundreds of types of local wines in the wine village while listening to live music, while the funfair offers plenty of entertainment for the whole family. But is it the winemakers' procession, taking place on October 13, that is the real highlight. Featuring over 100 decorated floats which trek through the streets of Germany’s secret wine capital, this vibrant and traditional event draws in more than 100.000 visitors each year. A beautiful firework display marks the end of the festival on October 14.

Two wine festivals running simultaneously

Across the main road, the W.I.N.E Festival takes place, which features two beautiful wine bars where visitors can sample more than 110 different types of wines from Germany and further abroad. The W.I.N.E Festival offers an extensive programme throughout the festival that includes the Sparkling Wine Day, a young winemaker matinee (where innovative wines are showcased), a pinot noir tasting evening and a special event from Barolo and Riesling. 

Both festivals also see the election of the new German and Palatine Wine Queens, who represent and embody the different wine regions of Germany. Following their election, the Queens lead the winemaker parade on October 13.

Attending the German Wine Harvest and W.I.N.E Festival

If you are interested in attending a traditional wine-tasting festival (rather than beer) then this is the festival for you! We do recommend using public transportation whenever possible to get to the festivals to avoid drinking and driving.

For more information on the German Wine Harvest and W.I.N.E Festival, head over to the official Neustadt tourism website.