77th Fellbacher Herbst — Thanksgiving and Wine Festival

77 Years of Swabian Celebration

The Fellbacher Herbst is one of the most traditional and largest wine festivals in the Stuttgart region — the second largest Thanksgiving festival in Southern Germany after Cannstatter Wasen. Since 1950, Fellbach has celebrated its autumn at Kappelberg, which traditionally originated from the Thanksgiving for the grape harvest and has developed into a four-day major event. The 77th edition in 2026 runs from Friday, October 9th to Monday, October 12th — four days of festival activities for up to 200,000 visitors from the entire region.

Schwabenlandhalle, Guntram-Palm-Platz, and Rathaushof

The festival weekend spans several squares in Fellbach's town center. The main axis is the Schwabenlandhalle, Fellbach's congress center at Guntram-Palm-Platz 1 — this is where the large wine cellars, festival tents, and the main stage program take place. From the Rathaushof to the Schwabenlandhalle stretches the famous Weinsträßle, an avenue with stands from Fellbach's vintners, the Weingärtner eG, and independent wineries. The wine fountain — a tradition since the 1960s — dispenses Fellbach wine to visitors for hours.

Thursday: Grand Wine Tasting by Weingärtner eG

The festival opening on Thursday evening is dedicated to the Grand Wine Tasting by Fellbacher Weingärtner eG — one of Württemberg's oldest winegrower cooperatives, founded in 1894. Over 30 wines from the Kappelberg, Goldberg, and Schmidener Vorderhang vineyards will be presented: Trollinger, Lemberger, Riesling, Müller-Thurgau, Kerner, Spätburgunder, Pinot Blanc, Sauvignon Blanc. The tasting takes place in the main hall of the Schwabenlandhalle, starting at 7:00 PM, with an embedded presentation by the cellar master about the current vintage.

Saturday: Grand Parade

The highlight of the entire festival is the parade on Saturday, October 10th, starting at 2:00 PM through Fellbach's town center. Over 100 groups — traditional costume associations, music bands, float groups, historical rider squadrons, wine princesses, showmen — march from the Rathaushof through the city center. A jury judges the most beautiful groups and the most creative floats, with prizes awarded afterward. The parade attracts tens of thousands of spectators along the route each year; many families reserve their spots hours in advance.

Sunday: Music Fireworks from the Roof

Sunday evening brings the visual highlight: the music fireworks from the roof of the Schwabenlandhalle. Pyrotechnicians ignite a 15-minute spectacle over the rooftops of Fellbach in precise choreography, accompanied by a specially composed music sequence. Thousands of spectators gather on the Guntram-Palm-Platz and in the Rathaushof; the atmosphere is familiar and festive. Afterward, the festival tents continue — Sunday evening is traditionally the most exuberant night of the weekend.

Sunday and Monday: Open for Shopping and Family Day

Sunday is also an open-for-shopping Sunday in Fellbach, with shops opening in the afternoon. Monday, October 12th, is the family finale: in a comparatively quieter atmosphere, a lantern parade for families, followed by the festival finale parade. More than 20 food stalls offer regional Swabian classics (Maultaschen, Käsespätzle, Schäufele, vegan options, Schwarzwald-Bratwurst, game from Schurwald) and, of course, Fellbach wines. Amusement rides and carousels attract families; a Ferris wheel offers views over the festival grounds.