Michelstadt Bee Market

70 Years of Bee Market in the Odenwald

In 2026, the Michelstadt Bee Market celebrates 70 years of tradition and is considered one of the largest Pentecost folk festivals in Hesse. Since the 1950s, the festival has been celebrated in Michelstadt – one of the most beautiful half-timbered towns in the Odenwald – for ten days between Ascension Day and the Monday after Pentecost. The City of Michelstadt is the organizer, hosting the event together with the Odenwald Beekeepers' Association.

The Queen Bee Auction

The namesake and unique feature: the Queen Bee Auction. On the last day of the market, the Odenwald Beekeepers' Association auctions queen bees at 10 a.m. in the Erwin-Hasenzahl-Halle – a rare tradition in Germany where beekeepers from all over southern Germany purchase purebred queens for their colonies. This makes the Bee Market not only a folk festival but also a real trade fair for beekeeping.

Rides and the New "Hypnotizer"

Around 40 rides operate on the large festival grounds: the Ferris wheel "Juwel", bumper cars, the XXL slide "Happy Slide", a newly built mini bumper car ride, and the children's play area "Pirates Adventure". New for 2026: the pendulum ride "Hypnotizer" with high speeds and outward-rotating gondolas.

Beer Tents, Crafts, and Market

Several large beer tents and wine stands provide atmosphere in the evenings with live bands and DJ sets. In the craft and flea market along the old town streets, around 50 exhibitors sell clothing, jewelry, gifts, and regional specialties. Beekeepers and bee products have their own dedicated stalls at the market.

Program Highlights

Fixed program points are spread over ten days: the Children's Day on the first Wednesday with a rally through the old town (3–5 p.m.), Family Day on Thursday with reduced ride prices, the 41st Michelstadt City Run on May 29th (organized by TSV Weiten-Gesäß) with an awards ceremony afterward, the Grand Fireworks on May 29th at 10:30 p.m., the Flower Parade on Whit Monday at 1:30 p.m. through the city streets, and the Queen Bee Auction.

Arrival and Special Services

OREG and Odenwälder Transport Services set up extensive special services on the market weekends: Bus lines 30, 40, 41, 45, and 50 run late into the night, plus additional evening services on CityBus lines 1, 4, and 5. A dedicated Bee Market stop on Wiesenweg is served.