Medieval Market at Gelterswoog Kaiserslautern (Autumn)

Autumn Medieval at the City Lake

The Medieval Market at Gelterswoog Kaiserslautern takes place twice a year: in spring on Easter weekend and in autumn, usually on the first weekend of October. The autumn edition in 2026 runs from Friday, October 2nd to Sunday, October 4th. The early autumn atmosphere with clear weather, beginning foliage, and longer twilight gives this date a different character than the spring edition – more autumnal, with a stronger connection to harvest and subsistence economy in the Middle Ages.

Format Like in Spring

The basic format of the autumn edition is the same as the spring market. Jousting tournaments with lance combat, ground combat, and equestrian techniques are featured multiple times over the three days. The medieval camp around the lake brings together blacksmiths, bow makers, leather workers, textile artisans, bread bakers, and other craftspeople in medieval attire. Reenactment groups demonstrate medieval ways of life, from cooking to weapon maintenance.

Medieval Music

Musically, the market remains true to the tradition of medieval market music. Bagpipes, hurdy-gurdy, shawm, and drums define the sound; groups from southern Germany and France are regularly represented at the market. The typical volume and sound characteristics of this music – which carries through the terrain and also unfolds its effect over the lake’s water – make up the acoustic impression of the market. Groups like Ratz Fatz and Spilldeyvel, as well as other formations, are expected at the autumn market.

Evening Fire Show

With the earlier onset of twilight in October, the fire shows begin accordingly earlier and appear particularly intense in the autumnal darkness. The Lux Art Feuerperformance is a fixed part of the program, delivering performances with fire staffs, fire fans, and fire acrobatics, which gain additional depth in their reflection on the water of Gelterswoog Lake.