Öhringer Pferdemarkt 2026

Tradition since 1823 — "Highest Öhringen Holiday"

The Öhringer Pferdemarkt is one of Germany's most traditional horse markets. It was first introduced in 1823 as the "Öhringer Roßmarkt" by royal decree of Württemberg — today, over 200 years later, the tradition continues unbroken. In Öhringen, the horse market is considered the "highest Öhringen holiday" — a designation that shows how deeply the festival is embedded in the city's identity. Schools close, shops decorate, the entire city is in horse market mode. In 2026, the horse market will take place on Sunday, February 15, and Monday, February 16, 2026.

Horse Judging — First time on Sunday in 2026

The centerpiece of the horse market is the horse judging: an evaluation and show event where horses from the categories Warmblood, Coldblood, and Ponies are awarded prizes according to set criteria (mares, foals, families). New for 2026: For the first time, the horse judging will move to Sunday (instead of the traditional Monday) — for greater visibility of the top event. Cash prizes from €20 to €70, as well as special champion awards and youth prizes, reward the best animals. The 2026 judging will be led by Monika Pfau and Patrick Wegener.

Market Stalls — City-wide Market Framework

The market stalls are spread around the historic Öhringen city center: hundreds of stalls with household goods, clothing, leather goods, shoes, toys, confectionery, regional direct marketers, tools, equestrian equipment, and many other product groups. The market extends over several streets and fills the city center.

Agricultural Machinery Show and Pony Rides

Accompanying the horse market, an agricultural machinery show displays current tractors, combine harvesters, and agricultural equipment — a tradition that reflects Hohenlohe's rural roots and attracts farmers from all over the region. For children, there are pony rides — a magical encounter with the smallest horses of the festival, making the market attractive for families.

Traffic Management and Road Closures

Due to the size of the event, the city is implementing extensive road closures from February 14 to 16, 2026. Parking will be redirected to the old sports hall garage and other facilities. Bus and taxi services will be temporarily rerouted to alternative streets. The S-Bahn line S 4 (Karlsruhe–Heilbronn–Öhringen) is expressly recommended to avoid traffic jams.

Öhringen — Hohenlohe Residence City

Öhringen (Hohenlohe district, district 08126, around 25,000 inhabitants) is located in the scenically attractive region of Hohenlohe in northern Baden-Württemberg. For centuries, the city was the residence of the Princely House of Hohenlohe and boasts a beautiful historic old town with a castle, collegiate church, and market square. The rural roots — Hohenlohe is predominantly agricultural — explain the tradition of the horse market, which was originally conceived as a trading market for farmers and horse breeders from the region.