Erntedank- und Heimatfest Orscholz
Traditional Volksfest at the Saarschleife — Harvest Fun, Farmers' Market, and Grand Parade
About Erntedankfest Orscholz
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A Local Festival at One of Germany's Most Beautiful Viewpoints
The Erntedank- und Heimatfest Orscholz has been celebrated since the late 1950s — the 1960s edition is often cited as the start of the modern tradition. Geographically, the festival is held in a special place: directly at the Cloef-Atrium in Mettlach-Orscholz, the visitor and event center overlooking the Saarschleife — that famous 180-degree bend in the Saar River, considered one of Germany's scenic landmarks.
Harvest Fun and Krachleder
Saturday evening is dedicated to Erntegaudi (harvest fun) in the festival tent at the Cloef-Atrium — a Bavarian-Saarland inspired celebration with folk music, Lederhosen, beer barrels, and dancing late into the night. People dance in Krachleder — the Saarland variant of the Bavarian Wiesn style. Local bands provide the musical program, and the atmosphere is lively and always well-attended.
Parade on Sunday
Sunday marks the highlight: After the celebratory church service, the grand Erntedank parade winds through Orscholz — featuring harvest floats, traditional costume groups, music bands, local clubs, and cultural heritage groups from the Saarschleifenland and the adjacent Moselle region (France/Luxembourg). The parade is watched by thousands of spectators lining the streets.
Farmers' Market and Weißwurst Breakfast
Parallel to the parade, the traditional Bauernmarkt (farmers' market) opens on the forecourt of the Cloef-Atrium, offering regional products: cheese, sausage, honey, jams, liqueurs, bread, apple cider, and wine from the Moselle-Saar region. A Bavarian Weißwurstfrühstück (white sausage breakfast) in the morning with pretzels and Weißbier is the culinary tradition before the parade.
Saarschleifenland and Nature Park
Orscholz is a district of the municipality of Mettlach in the Merzig-Wadern district — a region widely known as Saarschleifenland. The Cloef is the most famous viewpoint over the Saarschleife. The local festival fits into the region's broader calendar, where wine and local festivals play a central role. Mettlach itself is the hometown of the Villeroy & Boch ceramic manufactory and a tourist magnet in the westernmost part of Saarland.
What Makes the Day Special
The combination of traditional customs, spectacular scenery (Saarschleife in the background), regional culinary delights, and a lively festival tent makes the event equally attractive to families, hikers, and cultural travelers. Those who wish to watch the parade from an elevated point should secure a spot early along the main street in the town center.
Erntedankfest Orscholz — edition 2026
The 2026 edition continues the proven two-day format. The Orscholz associations coordinate the program together with the municipality of Mettlach. Confirmed in the Cloef-Atrium event calendar.
Programme Erntedankfest Orscholz 2026
Saturday, September 19, 2026 — Erntegaudi
- From 6:00 PM — Festival tent opens at Cloef-Atrium
- 7:00 PM — Start of Erntegaudi with Lederhosen, Krachleder, and folk music
- 8:00 PM — Live music in the festival tent (lineup to be announced shortly before the date)
- Until 1:00 AM — Dancing and festival
Sunday, September 20, 2026 — Parade and Farmers' Market
- 10:00 AM — Thanksgiving church service at Orscholz parish church
- 10:30 AM — Weißwurst breakfast with pretzels and Weißbier at Cloef-Atrium
- 11:00 AM — Opening of the Bauernmarkt on the Cloef-Atrium forecourt (cheese, sausage, honey, jams, wine, bread, liqueurs)
- 1:30 PM — Parade assembly in the village center
- 2:00 PM — Grand Erntedank Parade through Orscholz with harvest floats, traditional costume groups, music bands, cultural heritage groups
- Afterwards — Festival tent open, farmers' market continues
- 6:00 PM — Farmers' market ends
The detailed 2026 program will be published on erntedankfest-orscholz.de and in the Mettlach municipal gazette.
Highlights Erntedankfest Orscholz 2026
- Erntegaudi on Saturday evening with Krachleder and folk music
- Grand Erntedank parade on Sunday with harvest floats and traditional costume groups
- Farmers' market with regional products
- Weißwurst breakfast on Sunday morning
- Spectacular location at the Cloef-Atrium overlooking the Saarschleife
- Free admission
Prices Erntedankfest Orscholz 2026
Free admission. Food and drinks in the festival tent and at the farmers' market at usual Volksfest prices (beer €4, main course €8–12, farmers' market products vary by vendor).
Practical information — Erntedankfest Orscholz
Getting There
By Car: A8 (Luxembourg–Saarbrücken) exit Merzig or Mettlach, then follow signs for Orscholz/Cloef-Atrium. Parking at Cloef-Atrium is limited — use outer parking lots during the parade and walk towards the village.
By Train: Mettlach station (RE/RB Saarbrücken–Trier), then bus 230 to Orscholz, approx. 20 minutes.
Festival Dates
Saturday, September 19, 2026 — Erntegaudi with Krachleder, evening in the festival tent.
Sunday, September 20, 2026 — Celebratory church service, Weißwurst breakfast, farmers' market, grand parade in the afternoon.
Admission
Free. Food and drinks in the festival tent and at the farmers' market at usual Volksfest prices.
Cloef-Atrium
Before or after the parade, visit the Cloef viewpoint (approx. 800 meters walk from the festival grounds) — the view of the Saarschleife is one of Germany's most famous.
Accommodation
Hotels in Mettlach and Orscholz (often booked up early), otherwise Merzig or the Saarschleifenufer campsite.
Tip
Arrive in hiking boots — the premium hiking trails around the Saarschleife (e.g., Cloef-Pfad, Traumschleife) are a must-do.
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Travel to this festival
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Where it takes place Erntedankfest Orscholz
Cloef-Atrium und Ortskern Orscholz
Cloef-Atrium, Cloefstraße, 66693 Mettlach