Kohlenbrennerfest Trippstadt

The Kohlenbrennerfest Trippstadt is one of the most remarkable customs festivals in the Palatinate. In the heart of the Palatinate Forest Nature Park, it brings centuries-old charcoal burning craft to life, combining historical education with a lively village festival. From September 5th to 6th, 2026, the festival will be celebrated in Trippstadt – on the first weekend of September, as is traditional.

Charcoal Burning and the Palatinate Forest

Charcoal burning – the production of charcoal in an earth kiln – was one of the defining crafts of the Palatinate Forest for centuries. Charcoal was needed for iron smelting, and Trippstadt, with its Eisenwerk (ironworks), was a center of this industry. The Kohlenbrennerfest commemorates this heritage and makes it visible and tangible for today's generations.

Kiln Burning

The highlight of the festival is the kiln burning. In the days leading up to the festival, a traditional earth kiln is built: logs are carefully stacked in several layers, covered with brushwood and earth, and finally ignited. Over several days, the wood chars into charcoal in an oxygen-deprived environment. Visitors can watch the charcoal burner at work and experience the smell of smoke and earth – a piece of living industrial history.

Blacksmith Festival

Parallel to the kiln burning, the Schmiedefest (blacksmith festival) takes place: female and male blacksmiths demonstrate their craft at the anvil, shaping iron over an open fire and offering their work for sale. The connection between charcoal burning (which provides the energy) and blacksmithing (which shapes the iron) makes the historical context particularly clear.

Service at the Kiln

A spiritual touch is added by the Gottesdienst am Meiler (service at the kiln) on Sunday morning, honoring the religious dimension of the former charcoal burner's everyday life. Charcoal burners often lived in the forest for weeks, far from the villages, and held their services at their workplace – a tradition that the festival revives.

Children's Flea Market and Eisenwerksmuseum

For families, there is a children's flea market where children can sell their toys and books. The Eisenwerksmuseum Trippstadt (Trippstadt Ironworks Museum) offers a special exhibition on charcoal burning and iron smelting. The Musikkapelle Trippstadt provides musical accompaniment with brass band music and Palatinate classics.