Name: 12th Schmalkalden Wine Festival 2026 2026
Start: 2026-05-15T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-05-17T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Altmarkt Schmalkalden

Schmalkalden Wine Festival

About Schmalkalden Wine Festival

From May 15th to 17th, 2026, the historic Altmarkt in Schmalkalden will transform into a paradise for wine lovers for the twelfth time. Winemakers from Franconia, Pfalz, Rheinhessen, and Saale-Unstrut will present their finest wines, complemented by Flammkuchen, crêpes, burgers, grilled specialties, and sweet treats. The Altmarkt stage will feature a mix of live bands, DJs, and regional artists; Sunday will include a children's carousel, games, and a flea market for kids. Free admission.

Dates 15 May — 17 May 2026

Venue Schmalkalden (16066)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Schmalkalden Wine Festival — edition 2026

The 12th Schmalkalden Wine Festival 2026 runs from May 15th to 17th on the historic Altmarkt. Opening on Friday at 5 PM with Mayor Thomas Kaminski and Wine Princess Juliana Lutz. Music by DJ Tommy, Die Rossinis, Duo Comeback, and Kapo Akustik. Winemakers from Franconia, Pfalz, Rheinhessen, and Saale-Unstrut. Sunday is Family Day with children's program and flea market. Free admission.

2026 Edition — Anniversary Spirit in the 12th Year

The twelfth edition sticks to the proven formula: three days of wine enjoyment, live music, street food, and family activities. The festival opens on Friday at 5 PM with Mayor Thomas Kaminski and Wine Princess Juliana Lutz. Free admission, tasting glasses for a small deposit.

Highlights Schmalkalden Wine Festival 2026

12th edition on the historic Altmarkt
Winemakers from Franconia, Pfalz, Rheinhessen, Saale-Unstrut
Live Music: Die Rossinis (Fri), Duo Comeback (Sat), Kapo Akustik (Sat), DJ Tommy (Fri/Sat)
Opening Friday 5 PM with Wine Princess Juliana Lutz
Sunday Family Day with children's carousel and flea market
Free admission

Programme Schmalkalden Wine Festival 2026

Friday, May 15, 2026 (5 PM - 12 AM)

5:00 PM — Official opening with Mayor Thomas Kaminski and Wine Princess Juliana Lutz
5:30 PM - 6:30 PM — DJ Tommy
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM — Die Rossinis (Live Band)

Saturday, May 16, 2026 (11 AM - 12 AM)

11:00 AM - 1:00 PM — DJ Tommy
2:00 PM - 6:00 PM — Duo Comeback (Acoustic Duo)
7:00 PM - 11:00 PM — Kapo Akustik

Sunday, May 17, 2026 — Family Day

Children's carousel on the Altmarkt
Play activities and craft workshops
Children's flea market
Family menus at the food stands

Ongoing Offers (All Three Days)

Wine stands from Franconia, Pfalz, Rheinhessen, Saale-Unstrut
Flammkuchen, Crêpes, Burgers, Grilled items
Sweet specialties and cheese platters

Prices Schmalkalden Wine Festival 2026

Admission to the festival grounds is free. Wine prices per glass at the stand (typically €3-6), food €5-12. Tasting glasses with deposit. Payment at the stand. Further information from the Schmalkalden Cultural Office (+49 3683 667550) or schmalkalden.de.

Practical information

Practical information — Schmalkalden Wine Festival

Date 2026

Friday, May 15th to Sunday, May 17th, 2026.

Opening Hours

Friday 5 PM-12 AM, Saturday 11 AM-12 AM, Sunday (Family Day) Morning to Evening.

Location

Altmarkt, 98574 Schmalkalden (City Center, in front of the Town Hall).

Getting There

Train: Schmalkalden Station (Süd-Thüringen-Bahn) approx. 20 minutes walk to the Altmarkt. Car: A71 exit Meiningen-Nord, then L1140 to Schmalkalden. Parking in the city center (paid parking garages).

Admission

Free. Payment for wine and food at the stands. Tasting glasses with deposit.

Accommodation

Hotels and guesthouses in Schmalkalden, Meiningen (15 km), Bad Liebenstein (20 km).

Wine Festival in the Historic Old Town of Schmalkalden

The Schmalkalden Wine Festival is one of Thuringia's most popular spring wine events. For three days, the historic Altmarkt — framed by the imposing town hall and magnificent half-timbered houses — transforms into an open mile of wine and enjoyment. In 2026, the 12th edition will take place from May 15th to 17th. Free admission.

Winemakers from Four Wine Regions

Characteristic of the Schmalkalden Wine Festival is the diversity of the wine regions represented: Franconia (Silvaner, Bocksbeutel), Pfalz (Riesling, Dornfelder), Rheinhessen (Spätburgunder, Müller-Thurgau), and the central German Saale-Unstrut region (Weißburgunder, Traminer). The winemakers are present at their stands, offering advice on vineyard sites, vintages, and winemaking styles — a small open-air wine academy. Tasting glasses are available for a deposit.

Culinary Delights, Music, and Family Activities

The gastronomic offerings range from Flammkuchen and Crêpes to Burgers and grilled items, as well as sweet specialties and cheese platters. The stage program features a rotation of live bands, DJs, and regional artists — in 2026, including DJ Tommy, Die Rossinis, Duo Comeback, and Kapo Akustik. On Sunday, the festival also caters to families: a children's carousel, play activities, and a flea market for children on the Altmarkt make Sunday afternoon a family gathering point.

Schmalkalden — A Half-Timbered Town with World History

The historic half-timbered town of Schmalkalden in the Schmalkalden-Meiningen district (state of Thuringia) is famous for the Schmalkalden League (1531) and the Renaissance-era Wilhelmsburg Castle. The Altmarkt — the venue for the wine festival — is one of the most beautiful market squares in Central Germany; half-timbered houses from the 16th and 17th centuries line the square. During the wine festival, it becomes a vibrant open-air theater.