Lenneper Summer and Wine Festival

Lennep — the Jewel of Bergisches Land

When you hear Remscheid, you think of industry. When you experience Lennep, you think differently: The district belonging to the city of Remscheid is one of the most beautiful listed historic town ensembles in the Bergisches Land — an intact slate-facade town with half-timbering, narrow alleys, the striking Alter Markt, and the characteristic white windows on black slate. It is precisely in this setting that the Summer and Wine Festival has been taking place for decades — an event that combines the tourist appeal of Lennep with local club culture.

17 Winegrowers — Three Days of Wine Culture

The festival concept is clear: 17 winegrowers from German wine-growing regions — predominantly Mosel, Pfalz, Rheingau, Ahr, Baden — present their wines directly at their stands. In addition, there are sparkling wines and liqueurs. Each winery stall gets its own location in the alleys around Alter Markt; visitors move from stall to stall, tasting, buying, and enjoying. Food is available alongside — matching snacks (Flammkuchen, Bergisches cheese, Spundekäs') complement the concept.

Organizer: The Carnival Society

The organizer of the festival is the Lenneper Karnevalsgesellschaft (LKG) — which may sound unusual at first, but makes sense upon reflection: Carnival societies in the Rhineland and Bergisches Land are often the organized center of civic club life. They understand the logistics of large festivals and have the volunteer manpower for a three-day event. In summer, the Carnival Society becomes a festival society — and brings winegrowers to Bergisches Land.

Tickets — Accessible

Admission itself is free, but to taste wine, you need a ticket: In previous years, it cost around €7 and usually included your own glass plus tasting tokens. This allows for extensive tasting without the festival becoming a tourist trap. The pricing structure for 2026 is likely to remain similar — final prices will be announced on Radio RSG and in the city's press release.

Three Days of Program

Dates 2026: Friday, July 31, to Sunday, August 2. Friday and Saturday feature live music at Alter Markt (bands, occasional acoustic acts in the alleys). Sunday is a bit quieter, traditionally with a morning pint (Frühschoppen) and a musical closing program. Specific program details will be published in advance in the Remscheid local press.

Remscheid and the Wine Heritage of Bergisches Land

Remscheid is not a wine region — but Lennep has been a trading hub for centuries and, through the Bergisches Land, had connections to the West German wine-growing areas. The Wine Festival builds on these historical trade relations and turns a weakness (no local wine) into a strength: curated selection instead of regional monoculture.