Name: Schriesheimer Mathaisemarkt 2026
Start: 2026-03-13T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-03-22T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Festplatz Schriesheim / historische Innenstadt

Schriesheimer Mathaisemarkt

About Schriesheimer Mathaisemarkt

When the first almond blossoms appear on the Bergstraße in March, Germany's oldest wine festival begins in Schriesheim. The Schriesheimer Mathaisemarkt dates back to 1580 and will celebrate its 445th edition in 2026 – a wine festival that combines over four centuries of tradition with the start of the festival season on the Badische Bergstraße. Over ten festival days (with an extension on the following weekend), the festival grounds and the historic town center transform into a vibrant festival backdrop: a giant parade on Sunday, March 15th, with 50 themed floats under the motto "Schriesheimer Sehenswürdigkeiten" (Schriesheim Sights), a large festival tent, an amusement park, the art exhibition "Dem Leben nahe" (Close to Life) by Schriesheim artist Elsbeth Lang – and of course, the wines of the Bergstraße. Over 100,000 visitors make the Mathaisemarkt one of the largest wine festivals in Southern Germany.

Dates 13 Mar — 22 Mar 2026

Venue Schriesheim (08226)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Schriesheimer Mathaisemarkt — edition 2026

The 445th Schriesheimer Mathaisemarkt 2026 runs from March 13 to 17 and from March 20 to 22. Highlight: the grand parade on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 2 PM with 50 floats and walking groups under the motto "Schriesheimer Sehenswürdigkeiten". Festival tent, amusement park, Bergstraße wines, art exhibition "Dem Leben nahe" by Elsbeth Lang.

From March 13 to 17, 2026, and a second festival weekend from March 20 to 22, 2026, Schriesheim will celebrate the 445th edition of Germany's oldest wine festival. The absolute highlight: the grand parade on Sunday, March 15, 2026, at 2 PM. Under the motto "Schriesheimer Sehenswürdigkeiten", 50 themed floats and walking groups will parade through the historic town center – a unique spectacle that attracts tens of thousands of onlookers annually. In the festival tent, the wines of the Badische Bergstraße – Riesling, Spätburgunder, Müller-Thurgau – from the Schriesheim and neighboring wineries will flow over the ten festival days. The amusement park, the art exhibition "Dem Leben nahe" by local artist Elsbeth Lang, and live music in the festival tent and town center complete the program. Over 100,000 visitors make the Mathaisemarkt one of the largest wine festivals in Southern Germany.

Highlights Schriesheimer Mathaisemarkt 2026

445th edition since 1580 — Germany's oldest wine festival
Over 100,000 visitors
Parade with 50 themed floats
Bergstraße wines in the festival tent
Elsbeth Lang art exhibition
Start of the festival season on the Bergstraße

Programme Schriesheimer Mathaisemarkt 2026

Main Festival Week March 13–17, 2026

Festival tent with catering and live music
Amusement park with rides
Wine sales by Bergstraße wineries
Sunday, March 15, 2 PM — Grand Parade with 50 floats
Motto: "Schriesheimer Sehenswürdigkeiten"

Festival Finale March 20–22, 2026

"Bockfreitag" weekend
Festival tent and amusement park remain open
Open Sundays for shopping

Accompanying Program

Art exhibition "Dem Leben nahe" by Elsbeth Lang
Live music in the festival tent and town center
Open Sundays for shopping

Prices Schriesheimer Mathaisemarkt 2026

Free admission. Food and drinks in the festival tent, rides, and wine at usual prices. Festival tent reservations via the City of Schriesheim. Grandstand seats for the parade via official ticket outlets.

Practical information

Practical information — Schriesheimer Mathaisemarkt

Getting There

Schriesheim is located on the B3 between Heidelberg and Mannheim. By tram: OEG line 5 from Heidelberg/Mannheim, stop Schriesheim. By car via the A5 (Frankfurt–Karlsruhe), exit Schwetzingen or Heidelberg. Festival ground parking is very limited – public transport recommended.

Admission

Free admission. Festival tent reservations via the City of Schriesheim.

Parade

Sunday, March 15, 2026, 2 PM. Grandstand seats available through official ticket outlets.

Tip

Book accommodation early – Schriesheim is traditionally fully booked during the Mathaisemarkt. Alternatives in Heidelberg, Weinheim, or Mannheim.

Germany's Oldest Wine Festival

The Schriesheimer Mathaisemarkt is an institution. It is considered the oldest wine festival in Germany – documented since the year 1580. In 2026, the 445th edition will be held. Schriesheim, the small wine town on the Bergstraße (Rhein-Neckar district, state of Baden-Württemberg), located north of Heidelberg, has nurtured the market over many generations and made it one of the largest wine festivals in Southern Germany.

Tradition Since 1580

The name "Mathaisemarkt" goes back to Saint Matthias – one of the apostles whose feast day falls in February in the Catholic tradition. Originally, the Mathaisemarkt was a classic spring market that brought together farmers, traders, and citizens of the Bergstraße for joint trade. Over time, the market became increasingly associated with the region's wine tradition and developed into today's major festival.

Over 100,000 Visitors

Today, the Mathaisemarkt regularly attracts over 100,000 visitors over the ten festival days. This makes it one of the largest wine festivals in Southern Germany and an important economic factor for Schriesheim and the entire Rhine-Neckar region.

Program Highlights

Grand Parade on Sunday, March 15, 2026, 2 PM — 50 themed floats and walking groups under the motto "Schriesheimer Sehenswürdigkeiten"
Festival Tent with catering throughout the ten festival days
Amusement Park with rides, showmen, food stalls
Art Exhibition "Dem Leben nahe" by Schriesheim artist Elsbeth Lang
Wine Sales by Bergstraße wineries with Riesling, Spätburgunder, Müller-Thurgau
Live music in the festival tent and town center
Open Sundays for shopping in the town center

The Two-Weekend Structure

A special feature of the Mathaisemarkt is its two-part structure: The main festival week runs from March 13 to 17, 2026, with the grand parade Sunday on March 15th. A second festival phase follows from March 20 to 22, 2026, the so-called "Bockfreitag" weekend, which marks the end of the market. This means the market extends over a total of ten festival days.

Bergstraße Wines at the Core

The Badische Bergstraße is one of Germany's northernmost and smallest wine-growing regions. Riesling, Spätburgunder, Müller-Thurgau, and Weißburgunder grow on the sun-drenched slopes on the edge of the Rhine plain. Wineries from Schriesheim, Heidelberg-Schlierbach, Bensheim, and Heppenheim present themselves at the Mathaisemarkt – anyone looking for an overview of Bergstraße wine culture will find it here.

Schriesheim — Wine Town on the Bergstraße

The town of Schriesheim (~15,000 inhabitants) is located directly on the Bergstraße, that traditional connecting road between Heidelberg and Darmstadt. Due to the early almond blossoms, the Bergstraße is known as "Germany's Spring Walk." Visitors to the Mathaisemarkt can combine their stay with a hike through the Schriesheim vineyards or a trip to Heidelberg (~15 km).