Grape and Hop Festival on the Cologne Rhine Promenade

Wine, Beer, and the Rhine — Culinary Open-Air with a View of Cologne Cathedral

The Grape and Hop Festival on the Rhine promenade is one of the most enjoyable summer events in Cologne's calendar. Along approximately 800 meters of the left-Rhine Konrad-Adenauer-Ufer, between the Hohenzollern Bridge and Bastei, breweries from the Rhineland and the world, as well as wineries from German growing regions, set up their stalls — fostering direct exchange between producers and connoisseurs under the open sky, with a view of Cologne Cathedral.

Three Days of Tasting and Enjoyment

The festival runs from Friday, August 14th to Sunday, August 16th, 2026. It is open daily from approx. 12:00 PM to 10:00 PM (Sunday until approx. 9:00 PM). Free admission — wines are tasted by the glass (between €4 and €8 per sample) and beers (between €3 and €5). Those who wish to try more can collect stamps with the tasting pass and benefit from discounts.

What to Taste

Wineries typically represent producers from Rheinhessen, Pfalz, Mosel, Rheingau, Ahr, and Baden, with occasional international wines from Italy, France, or Austria. At the beer stalls, Kölsch breweries mingle with craft beer manufacturers from the Rhineland and Belgium. The food stalls offer Rievkooche (potato pancakes) with apple sauce, Alsatian-style Flammkuchen, homemade quiches, and cheese platters.

The Rhine Promenade — Cologne's Showcase to the River

The Rhine promenade between Hohenzollern Bridge and Bastei is one of Germany's most visited walking paths. The Grape and Hop Festival uses this already vibrant promenade as its festival area — and the audience reflects this: Cologne locals, tourists, families, seniors, and groups from all over the Rhineland.

Cologne and Rhenish Festival Culture

The independent city of Cologne has a distinct festival and culinary culture. From Carnival to the summer festival at Tanzbrunnen to the Cologne Lights show — events on the Rhine are part of the Kölsch spirit. The Grape and Hop Festival joins this tradition, combining it with one of Central Europe's most beautiful culinary themes.