Erntefest Nortrup 2026

Harvest Tradition Since 1894

The Ernteverein Nortrup was founded in 1894, making it one of the oldest harvest associations in the northern Osnabrück district. The annual harvest festival is its central club event and, at the same time, one of the most important traditional festivals in the region — a tradition that has been continuously maintained for over 130 years.

Second Weekend of August 2026

As tradition dictates, the harvest festival takes place on the second weekend of August 2026. The exact date will be published by the Ernteverein in the summer. The venue is the festival grounds in Nortrup — the municipality belongs to the Artland collective municipality and is located in the northern Osnabrück district.

Grand Parade on Sunday

The highlight is the grand parade on Sunday. With lovingly decorated harvest wagons, horse-drawn carriages, riders, music bands, shooting clubs, and traditional costume wearers, a colorful procession moves through Nortrup. The citizens line the streets, making the parade a vibrant folk festival. Harvest crowns made of braided ears of grain are carried along — a symbol of the completed harvest season.

Festive Evening with Dancing

Starting on Saturday evening, the festival begins with the traditional festive evening in the marquee. Live bands provide a lively atmosphere for dancing, and the shooting and harvest associations meet, with beer flowing. A convivial atmosphere that marks the prelude to Sunday's highlight.

Classic Harvest Festival Program

In addition to the parade and the evening dance, the program includes parades by shooting clubs, music from local bands, a family program with children's entertainment, a cake buffet, hearty food, and a morning pint (Frühschoppen) on Sunday morning. This makes the festival a cross-generational family event.

Nortrup in the Artland

Nortrup is a municipality in the Artland collective municipality and is characterized by agriculture. Here, as everywhere in the rural region, the harvest festival is the most important traditional festival of late summer — the moment when the harvest work is honored and celebrated.