Uetersen Rose Festival

Uetersen — the Rose Town in the Pinneberg District

Uetersen is a small town with just under 19,000 inhabitants in the Pinneberg district, on the outskirts of the Hamburg metropolitan area. Its identity is closely linked to rose cultivation: The Klosterrosen (Monastery Roses) from the medieval Uetersen Monastery are considered the origin of a tradition that culminates worldwide today with the Uetersen Rosarium. With around 900 rose varieties, the Rosarium is Germany's largest rose garden — a status that has earned Uetersen the nickname "Rose Town".

A Town Festival with Floral DNA

The Uetersen Rose Festival uses this identity as a common thread: The entire city center — Market Square, Church Square, Wassermühlenstraße, Schulstraße — transforms into a shopping and event mile centered around the rose. There are:

• Plant and rose stalls from regional nurseries and rose growers
• Arts and crafts with floral motifs, pottery, floristry accessories
• City flea market with bric-a-brac, vintage items, collectibles
• Gastronomy in the market square with bratwurst, crêpes, cocktails, coffee specialties
• Stage program with regional bands, choirs, and dance groups

The Crowning of the Rose Queen

The highlight of the festival is the crowning of the Rose Queen — a ceremonial ritual that appoints a young woman as the official ambassador of the Rose Town for one year. The Queen opens the garden and rose festival together with the city administration and represents Uetersen at events in the region and beyond throughout the year. It is a modern continuation of an old tradition maintained in plant culture centers throughout Germany.

The Rosarium — Botanical Heart of the Festival

Anyone visiting the Rose Festival should plan a trip to the Rosarium. Covering around 9 hectares, the extensive garden displays around 900 rose varieties in a park-like setting. Walks among rose beds, themed guided tours through the Rosarium, and lectures on garden design and plant care complement the city program in the center. The Rosarium is regularly open, and on the festival weekend, it becomes a meeting point for plant enthusiasts.

Sunday Shopping and Family Day

Sunday is a Sunday shopping day: Uetersen's city center shops open their doors, and many restaurateurs expand their offerings. The festival is explicitly designed to be family-friendly — with face painting for children, craft stalls, carousels, and a stage program that also engages younger audiences.

Organizers and Admission

The organizers are the IHG Uetersen (Industry and Trade Association) together with the City of Uetersen. Admission to the town festival and the Rosarium is free. Plants, food, and drinks at the stalls are subject to a charge.