Nordpfälzer Herbstfest Rockenhausen
Largest wine festival in Nordpfalz in Rockenhausen Castle Park with wine village, parade, marquee, and live music
About Nordpfälzer Herbstfest
The Nordpfälzer Herbstfest in Rockenhausen is the largest wine festival in Nordpfalz and one of the most traditional folk and wine festivals in Rhineland-Palatinate. For four days, the Castle Park, the old town, and the festival grounds offer a program of wine village, parade, marquee, and live music that attracts thousands of visitors annually.
In 2026, the festival celebrates its 77th edition from Friday, September 11th to Monday, September 14th. The parade on Sunday is the highlight, the marquee with live music provides the atmosphere on all days, and the new Dubbeglas edition with the imprint "ROK" is one of the collector's items of the season.
Tradition and Significance
The Nordpfälzer Herbstfest has been celebrated in Rockenhausen since the 1940s and has developed over the decades into the largest wine festival in Nordpfalz. The town in the Donnersbergkreis is the seat of the Nordpfälzer Land association and the cultural center of this region between Donnersberg and Glan. The festival is deeply rooted in the community and is organized by the city together with clubs, vintners, and restaurateurs.
Wine Village in the Castle Park
The wine village in Rockenhausen Castle Park brings together vintners from the three major wine-growing regions of Rhineland-Palatinate: Pfalz, Rheinhessen, and Nahe. The variety of wines offered is impressive – from dry Riesling to fruity sweet Auslese, from Burgundy to Dornfelder, from a tasting glass (Schoppen) to a bottle for home. In 2026, new vintners representing Nahe, Rheinhessen, and Pfalz are also announced.
Parade, Marquee, and Live Music
The parade on Sunday is the traditional highlight of the festival. Clubs, citizens, traditional costume groups, and floats parade through the old town, combining tradition with festivity. Live music is offered in the marquee on all days – in 2026, including the well-known Palatinate dialect rock band "Die Anonyme Giddarischde" on Saturday, September 12th, from 8:30 PM. Cover bands, schlager musicians, and local bands complete the program.
Dubbeglas and Palatinate Tradition
The Dubbeglas is the traditional wine glass of the Pfalz – a 0.5-liter schoppen with indentations called "Dubbe," which sits securely in the hand. At the Nordpfälzer Herbstfest, new Dubbegläser with the festival imprint "ROK" (for Rockenhausen) are issued annually, which have become popular collector's items. Enjoying wine from the Dubbeglas is an essential part of the Palatinate festival experience.
Nordpfälzer Herbstfest — edition 2026
The 77th Nordpfälzer Herbstfest 2026 runs from Friday, September 11th to Monday, September 14th in Rockenhausen. Four days of wine village in the Castle Park, parade on Sunday, marquee with live music (including "Die Anonyme Giddarischde" on Saturday from 8:30 PM) and new vintners from Nahe, Rheinhessen, and Pfalz. New Dubbeglas edition "ROK" as collector's items.
The exact program for 2026 will be published by the organizer in the summer and announced promptly on rockenhausen.de. The structure follows the proven cornerstones of previous years.
Programme Nordpfälzer Herbstfest 2026
The exact program for 2026 will be published by the organizer in the summer. The structure follows the proven cornerstones of previous years:
- Friday 11.09.2026: Festival opening in the evening, wine village start, live music in the marquee
- Saturday 12.09.2026: Wine village all day, live concert "Die Anonyme Giddarischde" from 8:30 PM in the marquee
- Sunday 13.09.2026: Parade in the afternoon, wine village, marquee music
- Monday 14.09.2026: Final festival day, possibly admission fee for marquee program
- Wine Village: Vintners from Pfalz, Rheinhessen, Nahe
- Marquee: Live bands, cover acts, schlager, dialect rock
- Dubbeglas: New edition with ROK imprint as a collector's item
- Culinary: Palatinate specialties, bratwurst, saumagen, leberknödel
Current details and band performances via rockenhausen.de, treffpunkt-pfalz.de, and vielpfalz.de.
Highlights Nordpfälzer Herbstfest 2026
- 77th edition – largest wine festival in Nordpfalz
- Wine village in the Castle Park with vintners from Pfalz, Rheinhessen, Nahe
- Live concert "Die Anonyme Giddarischde" on Saturday
- Traditional parade on Sunday
- New Dubbeglas edition ROK
Prices Nordpfälzer Herbstfest 2026
Wine village and parade are free. Marquee concerts may have an admission fee, especially on the final Monday.
Practical information — Nordpfälzer Herbstfest
Date 2026
Friday, September 11th to Monday, September 14th, 2026 (77th edition).
Location
Schlosspark and city center Rockenhausen, 67806 Rockenhausen, Donnersbergkreis.
Admission
Free entry to the wine village and parade. Marquee entry for live concerts may be subject to a fee (Monday's final entry requires admission).
Getting There
By car via the A63 or B48. Parking is available on the outskirts and at the Donnersberghalle. Public transport: Rockenhausen train station with connections to the Alsenztalbahn.
Recommendations
Summer clothing during the day, warm jacket in the evening. Cash for food and drinks. Take a Dubbeglas souvenir. Overnight stay in Rockenhausen or the surrounding area for multi-day visits.
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