70 Years of Marquee Culture — The Biggest Oktoberfest in Saarland with Karlsberg Beer, Lederhosen, and Top Acts
Anyone who thinks Oktoberfest is a Bavarian domain hasn't experienced the Merzig Oktoberfest Week yet. Since 1957, the district town of Merzig in the Merzig-Wadern district has been celebrating for ten days in a marquee — in 2026, it's the anniversary edition for its 70th birthday, from September 25th to October 4th. Instead of Munich Hofbräu, Karlsberg beer is tapped here (the Saarland brewery is located in neighboring Homburg), and instead of Bavarians, Saarlanders and people from Lorraine wear Lederhosen — but the atmosphere is classic Wiesn.
The festival week is structured around distinct themed evenings. Classic program:
For years, the Merzig marquee organizers have consistently booked top acts from the German party, Schlager, and Mallorca scene: voXXclub (pop stars from chart shows), Mickie Krause (Ballermann legend), Markus Becker (king of children's hits), Julian Sommer, Ina Colada, Krachleder, Frankenkracher, and local house bands like the Best of Band and the Merchinger Hauskapelle. It's an atmosphere that consciously balances high-energy fun with Lederhosen romance.
In addition to the central marquee, the Oktoberfest Week includes a classic amusement park with rides, an arts and crafts market, a cider festival (Federweißer & co.), and a program that involves the entire city center — the city uses the festival week to showcase its cultural and gastronomic offerings (“Merzig Serves Up”).
What sets Merzig apart from a crude imitation of Bavaria: Here, Lederhosen are worn with Saarland's down-to-earth spirit. Beer comes from Karlsberg, the roast chicken from the local butcher, and Lyoner sausage as a snack. The Saarland dialect mixes with Mallorca Schlager, and there are numerous guests from Lorraine and Luxembourg. The marquee can hold thousands of visitors; on good evenings, it's full but rarely unpleasantly overcrowded.
The anniversary edition celebrating the 70th anniversary promises a particularly ambitious program. The main components remain the marquee, the amusement park with rides, the cider festival, and the arts and crafts market. Live acts will be announced in advance on the Merzig city website; top acts from the German party and Schlager scene are traditionally featured.
The program will be published in good time by the Merzig Cultural Office. Table reservations at [email protected] or 06861/85-490.
Marquee entry is mostly free, with mandatory consumption. For special events (top acts, Mallorca Night), tickets are available via Ticket Regional / Villa Fuchs Stadthalle Merzig. Table reservations via the Cultural Office.
By Car: Take the A8 motorway, exit Merzig, and follow signs to the festival grounds. By Train: Regional train from Saarbrücken to Trier, get off at Merzig station, then a 10-minute walk or shuttle to the marquee. Parking is available around the Stadthalle, with expanded parking areas on festival days.
Reservations for tables in the marquee: via email [email protected] or by phone at 06861/85-490 or 85-492. Book early for the major opening and Mallorca nights — sold-out evenings are not uncommon.
Entry to the marquee is mostly free, with mandatory consumption. For special days (Karlsberg After-Work Party, Mallorca Night, Barrel Tapping), tickets are occasionally available via Ticket Regional or the Villa Fuchs Stadthalle Merzig.
Sunday Kids' Oktoberfest with Markus Becker — Free entry to the marquee, discounted ride prices in the amusement park. Ideal for families with children.
Hotels directly in Merzig (Park-Hotel Merzig, Hotel zum Schwan), guesthouses in the city center, or holiday apartments around the Saarschleife (Mettlach, 15 km away).
During the day, visit the Saarschleife (Cloef viewpoint, treetop walk, 15 min by car), and in the evening, head to the marquee. Luxembourg is also just 30 minutes away — the combination of a day trip and a marquee evening is popular.
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Festzelt Merziger Oktoberfest (Festplatz)
Festplatz, Stadthalle Merzig, 66663 Merzig