Bocholt Wine Festival

30 Years of Wine from the Lower Rhine

The Bocholt Wine Festival is the 30th summer event that brings the Palatinate to Bocholt every July — a festival tradition initiated in 1997 by dedicated Bocholt citizens, which has developed over three decades into one of the most important city festivals in the Westmünsterland. The venue is St. Georgs-Platz in the heart of Bocholt's inner city — right next to St. Georg's Church and the pedestrian zone. 2026 marks a special anniversary with the 30th edition from July 24th to 26th, 2026.

Seven Palatinate Vintners with Latest Vintages

The concept has remained stable since the first edition: seven vintners from the Palatinate set up their stalls on St. Georgs-Platz and serve the wines of the respective new vintage. The Palatinate is Germany's second-largest wine-growing region, known for Riesling, Müller-Thurgau, Burgundy varieties, and Sekt. The participating vintners are long-term partners — many have been involved since the first edition in 1997. You can find the current list of vintners on wein-on-tour.de, which organizes the vintners' tour as a platform.

Palatinate Specialties to Accompany the Wine

Palatinate wine is inseparable from Palatinate cuisine — and that's exactly what comes to Bocholt. On St. Georgs-Platz, you can get:

• Flammkuchen in several variations — classic with bacon and crème fraîche, vegetarian, sweet
• Saumagen — the hearty Palatinate specialty, often served with sauerkraut
• Palatinate Bratwurst, liver dumplings, pretzels
• Cheese platters and antipasti to go with Riesling
• Sweets like Palatinate yeast dough specialties and seasonal fruits

Live Music on All Three Days

Accompanying stage program every evening: Bands, solo artists, and cover bands from the region and sometimes from the Palatinate itself provide the musical backdrop. Classic Schlager, cover versions, party music — not a concert festival, but background music for drinking and eating together. The atmosphere is reminiscent of a summer evening in Neustadt or Deidesheim — just on the Lower Rhine.

Bocholt — City in the Westmünsterland on the Dutch Border

Bocholt, with around 71,000 inhabitants, is the largest city in the Westmünsterland — right on the border with the Netherlands, which is evident from the many Dutch visitors at the wine festival and in the city in general. The inner city with its historic town hall, St. Georg's Church, and pedestrian zone offers an attractive setting for the festival. The city's attractions include the Textile Museum (Bocholt was a textile city for centuries) and the City Museum. Those who combine the wine festival with a weekend trip can include the nearby Aa See lake (reservoirs for water sports), the Dutch Winterswijk, or Anholt Castle.

Bocholt Werbering as Organizer

The festival is organized by the Bocholt Werbering — the association of inner-city retailers and restaurateurs — in cooperation with the City of Bocholt. This constellation makes the wine festival more than just a special event: it is a locally supported city festival woven into the city's identity, attracting thousands of visitors every year.