Eselshautfest Mußbach — 1st Weekend
First weekend of the Palatinate Summer Wine Festival in the historic Herrenhof Mußbach with donkey parade
About Eselshautfest Mußbach 1st WE
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Eselshautfest Mußbach 1st WE al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
The Eselshautfest Mußbach is one of the most unusual and traditional Palatinate summer wine festivals. Its name refers to the famous vineyard site "Mußbacher Eselshaut" – one of the best Palatinate Riesling sites on the Haardtrand, whose distinctive name is said to originate from the donkeys that used to graze here.
The 2026 edition spans two festival weekends: the first weekend from July 3rd to 5th marks the festive start. The venue is the Herrenhof Mußbach, a historic ensemble of buildings with the Johannitergut, which is one of the oldest wineries in the Palatinate. The roots of the Johannitergut date back to the 12th century when the Order of St. John operated a commandery here.
The festival opening on Friday features one of the most original Palatinate festival traditions: the village crier with a donkey parades through the wine village, calling the people of Mußbach and their guests to the festival. The donkey, as a living mascot, connects tradition with the vineyard name and creates a distinctive identity.
The oenological highlight is the presentation of the experimental wines from the Staatsweingut/Johannitergut. As a scientifically operating winery, the Staatsweingut regularly conducts experiments with grape varieties, vinification methods, and vineyard sites – wines that are not normally commercially available. At the Eselshautfest, visitors have the rare opportunity to taste these specialties.
In addition, the Mußbach vintners and associations present their regular selections – Riesling from the Eselshaut and other Mußbach sites, Weissburgunder and Grauburgunder, Spätburgunder, and Sekt. The culinary offerings take place in the monument-protected Herrenhof: Palatinate classics are served in a medieval ensemble of buildings, creating a unique festival atmosphere.
Eselshautfest Mußbach 1st WE — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of the Eselshautfest comprises two festival weekends, the first of which takes place from July 3rd to 5th. The venue is the historic Herrenhof Mußbach at An der Eselshaut 31.
The exact program for 2026 will be published by the organizer in spring/summer. The structure follows the proven cornerstones of previous years and has been maintained in an identical form for decades.
The event is part of the rich Palatinate festival culture, which attracts thousands of guests to the Neustadt an der Weinstraße region every year. The combination of wine culture, Palatinate hospitality, and established festival traditions forms the unmistakable identity of this Palatinate festival institution.
Programme Eselshautfest Mußbach 1st WE 2026
Friday, July 3rd, 2026 – Festival Opening
Traditional festival opening in the evening with the village crier parade with donkey through the wine village of Mußbach. Opening of the wine service in the Herrenhof. First tastings of Mußbach wines.
Saturday, July 4th, 2026
Full festival operation in the Herrenhof. Presentation of the experimental wines from the Staatsweingut/Johannitergut – a rare opportunity to taste "science wines". Palatinate specialties at the food stalls. Live music in the evening.
Sunday, July 5th, 2026
Family day with "Frühschoppen" (morning pint) and afternoon festival activities. Opportunity to visit the historic Herrenhof ensemble.
Note
Detailed program with times and live acts on eselshaut.de shortly before the festival begins.
Highlights Eselshautfest Mußbach 1st WE 2026
- Village crier opening parade with donkey on Friday
- Experimental wines from Staatsweingut/Johannitergut
- Historic Herrenhof from the 12th century
- Mußbach Riesling from the famous Eselshaut vineyard site
- Monument-protected architectural ensemble as festival backdrop
Prices Eselshautfest Mußbach 1st WE 2026
Practical information — Eselshautfest Mußbach 1st WE
Date
1st Weekend: Friday, July 3rd to Sunday, July 5th, 2026. (2nd Weekend: July 10th–12th, 2026).
Location
Herrenhof Mußbach (Staatsweingut/Johannitergut), An der Eselshaut 31, 67435 Neustadt-Mußbach.
Contact
Tel. 06321 66044. Website eselshaut.de.
Opening
Friday evening: traditional opening parade with the village crier and donkey through the wine village.
Special Feature
Tasting of experimental wines from the Staatsweingut/Johannitergut, one of the oldest wineries in the Palatinate with history dating back to the 12th century.
Getting There
Bus from Neustadt Hbf to Mußbach. Car: Parking in Mußbach is limited – public transport recommended.
Admission
Free admission. Wines and food directly at the Herrenhof.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
Max. 5 photos, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Spotted an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Each suggestion is reviewed by our team before being published.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Eselshautfest Mußbach 1st WE al mejor precio.
Sponsored link