About Martinus-Weinfest 2026

The Martinus-Weinfest in Sankt Martin is one of the most atmospheric Palatinate wine festivals to round off the wine season. For three days – traditionally Tuesday to Thursday around St. Martin's Day on November 11th – the vintners of the picturesque wine village open their cellars, courtyards, and restaurants, serving the young wines of the freshly harvested vintage. Sankt Martin, with its winding alleys, half-timbered houses, and renowned wineries, is considered one of the picturesque jewels of the Südliche Weinstraße (Southern Wine Route). The Martinus-Weinfest combines this setting with Palatinate club culture, traditional dishes like Saumagen, Leberknödel, and Pfälzer Wurst, and conviviality in an intimate atmosphere. Unlike the region's large weekend festivals, it deliberately focuses on a mid-week format, attracting wine lovers seeking authentic Palatinate atmosphere away from the peak tourist season.

Sankt Martin am Haardtrand

The wine village of Sankt Martin is located on the eastern edge of the Palatinate Forest, nestled between the vineyards of the Südliche Weinstraße and the steep slopes below Kropsburg Castle. For decades, the municipality has been among the most awarded for its village appearance in Germany and, with its restored half-timbered buildings, the historic town hall, and the Gothic St. Martin's Church, it is one of the most beautiful places in the Palatinate. The Martinus-Weinfest takes place here every year.

Three Days Around St. Martin's Day

November 11th – traditionally the feast day of St. Martin – is inextricably linked with wine and the end of the grape harvest in the Palatinate. The Martinus-Weinfest embraces this tradition and distills it into a three-day formula: From Tuesday to Thursday, vintners and restaurateurs open their courtyards, cellars, and taverns in the evenings for wine lovers, regulars, and locals.

Young Wines and Federweißer

On offer are the young wines of the freshly stored vintage – Riesling, white and Pinot Noir, Dornfelder, Gewürztraminer – as well as the last Federweißer (young wine) of the season. The vintners use the festival to give their guests a first impression of the character of the new vintage while also showcasing the last mature wines from the previous year. Palatinate specialties – Saumagen, Leberknödel, Pfälzer Wurst, Zwiebelkuchen (onion cake) – accompany the wine.

Intimate Mid-Week Format

The festival is deliberately held mid-week rather than on the weekend. This attracts a focused audience of wine connoisseurs, regulars, and Palatinate enthusiasts who enjoy the intimate atmosphere of the historic wine cellars and taverns. With strings of lights, lanterns, and torches in the alleys, a unique charm develops in the evenings – the Martinus-Weinfest is considered by connoisseurs to be one of the most beautiful Palatinate season finales.

Martinus-Weinfest 2026 — edition 2026

From November 3rd to 5th, 2026, the vintners and restaurateurs of Sankt Martin will open their cellars and courtyards as part of the Martinus-Weinfest. For three evenings, the young wines of the freshly harvested 2026 vintage will be served, along with Federweißer, and classic Palatinate specialties such as Saumagen, Leberknödel, Pfälzer Wurst, and Zwiebelkuchen. In the winding alleys of the half-timbered village, a special, intimate festival atmosphere develops in the evenings – far from the summer tourist hustle and bustle. The Martinus-Weinfest is considered one of the most beautiful Palatinate season finales and is aimed at wine connoisseurs, regulars, and lovers of typical Palatinate charm.

The dates from November 3rd to 5th, 2026, fall on the Tuesday to Thursday of the week before the traditional St. Martin's Day (November 11th). Thus, the 2026 edition follows the traditional concept: three mid-week days that deliberately break away from the weekend rhythm.

The exact program for 2026, including a list of participating vintners and restaurateurs and their individual opening hours, will be published by the organizer in the autumn. The structure will follow the proven cornerstones of previous years.

Programme Martinus-Weinfest 2026 2026

Program Martinus-Weinfest 2026

The exact program for 2026 will be published by the organizer in spring/summer. The structure will follow the proven cornerstones of previous years:

Tuesday, November 3rd (Evening): Festival opening, first wine cellars and taverns open with young wines and Federweißer.
Wednesday, November 4th (Evening): Full participation of vintners and restaurateurs, focus on Palatinate specialties and tasting of the new vintage.
Thursday, November 5th (Evening): Festival winding down, often combined with club evenings in the taverns.
Throughout Sankt Martin: Atmospheric lighting of the alleys, lanterns, and torches, convivial strolling between the participating courtyards.

Highlights Martinus-Weinfest 2026 2026

Young wines of the 2026 vintage
Historic wine cellars and half-timbered setting
Palatinate specialties and Federweißer
Intimate evening atmosphere during the week

Prices Martinus-Weinfest 2026 2026

Free admission. Tastings and food in the respective courtyards and restaurants are subject to charge.

Practical information — Martinus-Weinfest 2026

Getting to Sankt Martin

By Car: Via the A65, exit Edenkoben or Maikammer, then follow signs to Sankt Martin (approx. 5 kilometers). Parking is available on the outskirts of the village.

By Train: Edenkoben station on the Mannheim–Karlsruhe/Wissembourg line, then take a bus to Sankt Martin or a taxi.

Opening Hours

Generally Tuesday to Thursday, from late afternoon/evening until late at night. Individual wine cellars and restaurants will communicate their specific opening hours.

Notes

Sturdy footwear and warm clothing are recommended (November). Admission to the courtyards is free; tastings and food are subject to charge. Accommodation is available in Sankt Martin and the surrounding area – early booking is recommended.

Festival-goer photos

No photos yet. Share yours!

Share your photos

Max. 5 photos, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)

Spotted an error or missing information?

Help us keep this listing up to date. Each suggestion is reviewed by our team before being published.

Festival-goer reviews

No rating yet — be the first!

No comments yet. Be the first!

Were you there?

Share your experience with the community.

Your rating (optional)

Martinus-Weinfest Sankt Martin