Wurstmarkt

Name: Wurstmarkt
Start: 2025-09-11
End: 2025-09-21
Location: Bad Dürkheim

A Celebration of Wine, Sausage, and the Joyful Spirit of the Palatinate

2026/09/10 - 2026/09/20

Every September, the spa town of Bad Dürkheim in Germany’s southwest wine region-the Palatinate (also known as “Pfalz” in German)-comes alive with the energy of the Wurstmarkt. Known as the world’s largest wine festival, this event draws over 600,000 people across two weekends and nine days, all gathering beneath the giant Dürkheimer wine barrel to enjoy local wines, sizzling sausages, music, fireworks, and the excitement of a traveling funfair. Whether you’re a wine lover, foodie, or simply eager to experience the heart of German festival culture, you’ll find true Palatinate hospitality waiting for you here.

The clink of 0.5-liter “Schoppen” wine glasses, the aroma of roast pork and grilled sausages, and laughter echoing from wooden benches-at Wurstmarkt, locals and visitors sit shoulder to shoulder, sharing stories and discovering the genuine charm of one of Germany’s premier wine regions, the Palatinate.

Main Attractions

Wine Stalls, Schubkarchstände, and the Wine Village

The heart of Wurstmarkt is its 36 traditional wine stalls called “Schubkarchstände,” named after the wheelbarrows once used to bring wine barrels to the festival. Locals and visitors squeeze together on long wooden benches, sampling over 300 regional wines-from crisp Riesling to velvety Spätburgunder-in generous half-liter glasses. For a more relaxed and refined atmosphere, head to the Wine Village, where you can enjoy carefully selected whites, reds, and sparkling wines in stemmed glasses, alongside gourmet dishes.

Festival Tent, Live Music, and the Magic of the Funfair

The Hamel Festival Tent is the heart of the party, with live bands, folk music, and dancing that lasts late into the night. Outside, the sounds of brass bands and families’ laughter fill the air, while the Ferris wheel, carousel, and nighttime games and attractions light up the festival grounds. Two spectacular fireworks shows-one at the midpoint and one on the final night-paint the sky above the vineyards. The view from the Ferris wheel or along the Gradierbau is unforgettable.

Traditional Food and Culinary Delights

Wurstmarkt is a paradise for food lovers. Enjoy freshly grilled bratwurst, currywurst, roast bratwurst, and pork knuckles (Haxe) with crispy skin, as well as roast pork with rich gravy. Regional specialties like flammkuchen (tarte flambée), käsespätzle (cheese noodles), and zwiebelkuchen (onion tart) are abundant. Pretzels, potato pancakes, and sauerkraut are festival staples. For those with a sweet tooth, gingerbread hearts, apple strudel, roasted almonds, waffles, and warm dampfnudel with vanilla sauce are must-tries. Local cheeses and grilled fish on a stick round out the feast-all perfectly paired with Palatinate wine.

Cultural and Historical Background

The roots of Wurstmarkt stretch back over 600 years, to 1417, when farmers and winemakers gathered at the foot of Michaelsberg to sell their harvest to pilgrims visiting for St. Michael’s Day. Originally called “Michaelismarkt,” the fair moved to the market square as it grew, and in 1832, it became known as “Wurstmarkt” due to the mountains of sausages sold each year. Over time, it evolved into the region’s greatest celebration of wine, food, and community, and is now the Palatinate’s biggest social event.

Today, Wurstmarkt is more than just a festival-it’s a living tradition and a source of local pride. For locals, it’s known as the “fifth season,” a special time to reunite with old friends, toast new ones, and celebrate the bounty of the land. The festival’s warmth, culinary richness, and open hospitality have been passed down for generations, drawing loyal visitors from across Germany and beyond.

Participant Voices

I came for the wine, but was completely won over by the atmosphere. Sitting beside strangers at a Schubkarchstand, clinking glasses and singing along with the band, I felt instantly welcomed. Watching the fireworks from the Ferris wheel was pure magic-I've never felt so at home at a festival.

Fun Facts

Despite its name (“Sausage Market”), Wurstmarkt is actually the world’s largest wine festival, with over 300 local wines and dozens of food stalls.
Entry is free, but most stalls and rides are cash only-ATMs on site can get crowded.

Festival Dates

The Wurstmarkt is held every year on the second and third weekends of September in Bad Dürkheim (address: Große Allee 504, 67098 Bad Dürkheim), next to the Dürkheimer Riesenfass. For details, visit the official website: www.duerkheimer-wurstmarkt.de.<