Steinfurth Rose Festival

Steinfurth — Germany's Oldest Rose Village

In the Wetterau district of Hesse, a few kilometers north of Frankfurt, lies the Bad Nauheim district of Steinfurth. What sets this place apart from other Wetterau villages is its special connection to rose cultivation: In 1868, Heinrich Schultheis brought rose cultivation techniques from England to his hometown. Since then, Steinfurth has developed into the oldest rose village in Germany – a place where rose cultivation has been a family business standard for over five generations.

Over 100,000 Roses — A Grown Tradition

The annual planting in Steinfurth amounts to over 100,000 roses, many of them special varieties not found anywhere else in Germany in such diversity. This foundation is the basis for the Steinfurth Rose Festival – a celebration that honors the region's rose cultivation and attracts thousands of rose enthusiasts and garden lovers from all over Germany and abroad.

Biennial Tradition Since 1912

First organized in 1912 as a cut rose exhibition, the Rose Festival has evolved over the decades into a major biennial event. The festival takes place every two years in even-numbered years. The 2026 edition marks the 49th. Around 40,000 visitors typically attend the festival weekend.

Rose Exhibition, Rose Museum, and Rose Church

Throughout the festival weekend, Steinfurth's central rose institutions open their doors to visitors: The Rose Exhibition presents hundreds of rose varieties with expert labeling – a walk through international varietal diversity. The Rose Museum documents the historical and cultural significance of the rose, from antiquity to the present day. The Rose Church – with artfully arranged rose installations – is one of the most atmospherically impressive experiences of the festival.

The „Rosenband“ and Lectures

The „Rosenband“ (Rose Ribbon) winds through the village: a market stroll with stalls, hands-on activities, and live music among Steinfurth's half-timbered houses and romantic courtyards. Here, rose growers sell directly from the pot, alongside rose water, rose essence, rose soaps, and culinary rose products. Expert lectures by rose specialists are part of the cultural accompanying program.

Highlight: The Rose Parade on Sunday

The absolute highlight of the festival is the grand Rose Parade on Sunday. Floats, decorated with thousands of fresh rose blossoms, accompanied by music bands and traditional costume groups, parade through Steinfurth. The most popular float carries the Steinfurth Rose Queen with her two ladies-in-waiting – an image that is a staple of any German rose festival. The parade is the culmination of weeks of preparation, during which entire clubs meticulously hand-decorate the floats with thousands of rose blossoms.