Haardter Woi- und Quetschekuchekerwe
Palatinate Autumn Festival in Haardt with Large Plum Cake and Plum Stone Spitting Competition
About Quetschekuchekerwe Haardt
The Haardter Woi- und Quetschekuchekerwe is the traditional Palatinate autumn festival of the renowned wine village Haardt. The distinctive double name refers to the two core elements: „Woi" is Palatinate German for wine, „Quetschekuche" is the Palatinate plum cake (from „Quetschen" = damsons). Thus, the festival connects Palatinate wine and baking traditions with the plum harvest season in early autumn.
The 2026 edition takes place from Friday, September 4th to Wednesday, September 9th — the first weekend of September with extended festival operations into the following week. The venue is the festival mile on Mandelring — the same street that becomes the famous almond blossom tunnel in March. By September, the almond blossoms are long gone, but the plums hang ripe on the trees — and Quetschekuche is the seasonal Palatinate baking marvel.
The culinary specialty of the festival is the large plum cake — a giant cake baked together, which is distributed to the festival guests. Quetschekuche is a Palatinate peculiarity: a yeast dough base with densely arranged halved damsons, often refined with cinnamon and streusel.
A special Palatinate tradition is the competition in plum stone spitting: participants try to spit a plum stone as far as possible — an unusual but traditional skill discipline that is fun and guarantees laughs. The winners receive prizes.
Oenologically, the Haardter Kerwe is a Palatinate highlight, as the Haardt top wineries open their courtyards: Müller-Catoir (one of the most renowned Palatinate wineries, VDP member), Oliver Zeter (award-winning Sauvignon Blanc specialist), Weegmüller (highly rated for many years), and Probsthof. This constellation makes the Kerwe particularly attractive oenologically — wines of such caliber are rarely found at a Palatinate folk wine festival.
Palatinate specialties — Saumagen, Bratwurst, Leberknödel, Flammkuchen, and of course Quetschekuche — and live music at several locations complement the program.
Quetschekuchekerwe Haardt — edition 2026
The 2026 edition spans six festival days from September 4th to 9th. The exact program for 2026 will be published by the organizer in spring/summer. The structure follows the proven cornerstones of previous years:
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 Quetschekuchekerwe Haardt 2026
Friday, September 4th, 2026
Festival opening in the evening with the first cut of the large, jointly baked plum cake. Opening of the festival mile on Mandelring, Haardt wineries open their courtyards.
Saturday, September 5th, 2026
Main day of the festival with a full festival mile. Highlight: Plum stone spitting competition — a Palatinate tradition. Live music at several locations in the evening.
Sunday, September 6th, 2026
Family day with morning pint (Frühschoppen), afternoon festival operations. Further cutting of the plum cake.
Monday to Wednesday, September 7th–9th, 2026
Extended festival operations with a quieter weekday atmosphere. Opportunity for relaxed tasting of the top Haardt wines without weekend pressure.
Note
Detailed program with plum stone spitting time and live acts on neustadt.eu shortly before the festival begins.
Highlights Quetschekuchekerwe Haardt 2026
- Large jointly baked plum cake
- Traditional plum stone spitting competition
- Top wineries Müller-Catoir, Zeter, Weegmüller,
- Mandelring festival mile in the exclusive wine village of Haardt
- Six festival days with weekend and weekday atmosphere
Prices Quetschekuchekerwe Haardt 2026
Practical information — Quetschekuchekerwe Haardt
Date
Friday, September 4th to Wednesday, September 9th, 2026 (first weekend of September with extended festival operations).
Location
Festival mile along Mandelring, Haardt district, 67433 Neustadt an der Weinstraße.
Specialties
Large jointly baked plum cake, plum stone spitting competition, Palatinate specialties.
Participating Wineries
Müller-Catoir, Oliver Zeter, Weegmüller, Probsthof, and other top Haardt wineries.
Admission
Free admission. Wines, plum cake, and food directly at the stands.
Getting There
Bus from Neustadt Hbf to the Haardt stop. Public transport or walking through the vineyards is recommended.
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