Gimmeldinger Laurentiuskerwe

The Gimmeldinger Laurentiuskerwe is the traditional Kirchweih (church consecration festival) of the Palatinate wine village of Gimmeldingen, which is known regionally primarily for the large Almond Blossom Festival in spring. While the almond blossoms attract thousands of guests to the wine village, the Laurentiuskerwe is more of a local festival event with a family atmosphere.

The Kerwe dates back to St. Lawrence's Day on August 10 — the feast day of the martyr Lawrence, who is venerated as a patron in many Palatinate and South German parish communities and traditionally provided the occasion for Kirchweih celebrations.

After a multi-year break, the Laurentiuskerwe was revived in 2024/2025 — a welcome development that enriches the Palatinate festival calendar with a genuine tradition. The 2026 edition will be celebrated on the third weekend in August, presumably from August 21 to 23, 2026. For the exact date, please confirm with the local administration of Gimmeldingen — the official festival website and the event directory of the city of Neustadt will announce the binding date shortly before the festival begins.

As with all Palatinate Kerwen, the focus is on the core festival elements: a traditional Kerwe parade, wine service by Gimmeldingen vintners, Palatinate specialties, and live music in the festival tent. Gimmeldingen's location on the edge of the Haardt mountains, overlooking the Rhine plain, lends a special Palatinate ambiance to the festival weekend.

Oenologically, the Kerwe benefits from the renowned Gimmeldingen wineries, which present their selections directly at the festival grounds — Riesling from the great Gimmeldingen vineyards (Mandelgarten, Schlössel, Biengarten), Pinot Blanc, and elegant rosé wines. Palatinate classics such as Saumagen (stuffed pig's stomach), Bratwurst (fried sausage), and Quetschekuche (plum cake) accompany the wines.

The Laurentiuskerwe is a true Palatinate insider event — not a large-scale tourist festival, but an authentic village Kirchweih in one of the most beautiful Palatinate wine villages.