Name: Merzig Apple Wine Festival 2026
Start: 2026-10-03T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-10-03T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Innenstadt Merzig

Merzig Viezfest

About Merzig Viezfest

The Merzig Viezfest is the oldest and largest apple wine festival on the Saar. On German Unity Day (October 3, 2026), the 55th edition transforms Merzig's city center into a Viez mile – three stages, 35 club stands, and 30,000 visitors celebrate apple wine and regional specialties.

Dates 03 Oct — 03 Oct 2026

Venue Merzig (10042)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Merzig Viezfest — edition 2026

The 55th edition of the Merzig Viezfest falls on German Unity Day, October 3, 2026. Three stages, around 35 club stands, 30,000 visitors. Opening at 10:30 AM on the Town Hall steps with Viez royalty Laura IV., Jolina, and Margarete.

The 55th edition in 2026 falls on German Unity Day, Saturday, October 3, 2026. The organizer is the city of Merzig.

Opening at 10:30 AM on the Town Hall steps with the mayor's address and an appearance by the Viez royalty. Afterwards, all-day festival activities with three stages and 35 club stands.

Highlights Merzig Viezfest 2026

55th anniversary edition
Three stages with different music genres
35 club stands with Saarland specialties
Appearance of the Viez royalty
Train connection directly from Saarbrücken

Programme Merzig Viezfest 2026

Saturday, October 3, 2026 — 55th Merzig Viezfest

10:30 AM — Official Opening on the Town Hall steps with the mayor's address and Viez royalty
11:00 AM — Festival activities begin on the Viez mile
Morning — Frühschoppen (morning pint) with brass music on the Market Square
Afternoon — Program on the three stages:
– Town Hall Stage: Regional acts and Schlager music
– Market Square Stage: Brass music and traditional music
– Trierer Straße: Cover bands and pop
Evening — Highlight concerts on the Town Hall Stage
Late Evening — Wind down with live DJ and dancing

Viez Royalty 2025/2026

Viez Queen Laura IV.
Princess Jolina
Princess Margarete

The full stage program will be published on merzig.de in September 2026.

Prices Merzig Viezfest 2026

Admission free. Viez approx. €2.50–€4, food and drinks at folk festival prices. Viez glass deposit €5.

Practical information

Practical information — Merzig Viezfest

Getting There

By train: RB from Saarbrücken (30 min) to Merzig – directly at the festival grounds. By car: A8 exit Merzig, parking garages in the city center. Road closures on festival days – public transport recommended.

Admission

Admission to the festival grounds is free. Viez glass deposit and food at usual folk festival prices.

Accommodation

Hotels in Merzig-Mitte or across the border in Schengen (LU, 25 km). Tip: Farmhouse or winery accommodation in Perl on the Moselle.

Tip

Try the full spectrum of Viez: a hot Viez with honey after sunset, a classic dry one with Schwenker, a sweet Viez with apple strudel – the variety is surprising.

Largest Apple Wine Festival on the Saar

As October 3rd approaches, the city center of Merzig transforms into a single Viez mile. The Merzig Apple Wine Festival is the oldest and largest apple wine festival on the Saar – the 55th edition in 2026 marks an anniversary year for an event that has been an integral part of the Saarland's cultural calendar since 1970.

Viez – the Saarland Apple Wine

Viez is more than just apple wine – it is a cultural heritage. On the Saar, in the Eifel, and in Luxembourg, this specialty has been cultivated for generations: made from regional cider apples, fermented in wooden barrels, and served in Bembeln (traditional jugs). At the Viezfest, it is available in all variations: dry or sweet, warm or cold, often refined with honey or spices. Regional fruit brandies and, of course, draft beer are also served.

Three Stages for All-Day Atmosphere

The festival grounds are spread across the city center of Merzig with three main stages:

Rathausplatz (Town Hall Square) – Opening stage with ceremonies and major acts
Marktplatz (Market Square) – Regional bands and brass music
Trierer Straße – Schlager, pop, and cover bands

Around 35 stands run by local clubs offer visitors Saarland specialties: Schwenker (grilled meat skewers), Lyoner (sausage), Bratwurst (sausage), Käsespätzle (cheese noodles), crêpes, coffee, and cake. The clubs operate independently – proceeds go to club activities.

Opening with Viez Royalty

The festival begins at 10:30 AM with the official opening on the Town Hall steps. The highlight is the appearance of the reigning Viez royalty – in 2025/2026, these are Viez Queen Laura IV. and Princesses Jolina and Margarete. They are crowned annually at the Market of Delicacies in mid-September and represent the Saarland and Viez culture throughout the year.

30,000 Visitors and National Attention

With around 30,000 visitors from all over Germany and the neighboring countries of Luxembourg and France, the Viezfest is one of the largest folk festivals in the Saarland. Merzig train station is reachable from Saarbrücken in 30 minutes via RB connections – perfect for a day trip.

Merzig and the Saarschleife

Those visiting the Viezfest should plan an excursion to the nearby Saarschleife (8 km away) – Germany's most famous river bend is just a short drive away and is one of Germany's most photographed landscapes. The Villeroy & Boch town of Mettlach with Saareck Castle and the Keravision experience center is also worth a visit.