78th Umstädter Winzerfest Groß-Umstadt

One of Hesse's most traditional wine festivals

The Umstädter Winzerfest has been the largest and most prestigious wine festival in the Odenwald region since 1948 – and one of the oldest of its kind in all of Hesse. 2026 marks the 78th edition, traditionally held on the third weekend in September from September 18 to 21. The venue is the city center of Groß-Umstadt, with the central market square between the historic town hall and the castle serving as the main stage, plus the adjacent festival grounds with rides and showman stalls.

The Odenwald Wine Island

Groß-Umstadt is located in the Darmstadt-Dieburg district and forms the center of the Odenwald wine island. This small but highly renowned wine region, located at the transition from the Odenwald to the Bergstraße climate, is known for Riesling, Müller-Thurgau, Spätburgunder, and Schwarzriesling. What makes it special: The vineyards are like a small island between the major wine regions of Bergstraße and Rheinhessen – with its own microclimate and a very distinct style. The Winzerfest is the annual showcase for these wines.

Four Days of Program

The festival runs for four days. The kick-off on Friday, September 18, begins with the vintners serving wine from 4 p.m. at their stands. The official opening at 9 p.m. by Mayor René Kirch and the reigning Wine Queen marks the symbolic start. Saturday is dedicated to the Coronation Evening, where the new Wine Queen and her princesses are crowned – one of the emotional highlights of the festival, drawing hundreds of guests to the market square.

Festival Parade as the Climax

The undisputed highlight is the grand festival parade on Sunday, September 20, starting at 1:30 p.m. Over 60 floats, music bands, traditional costume groups, and clubs march through the city center of Groß-Umstadt. The floats are elaborately designed, many with historical themes or references to current city life. It is a spectacle that attracts thousands of spectators to the roadside every year – also from the surrounding districts.

Tetra Pak Instead of Glass – the Innovation for 2026

A programmatic innovation for 2026 is causing discussion in advance: For the first time, wine will be served not in glasses, but in Tetra Paks. The background is logistical efficiency and safety – broken glass and shards are a known problem during the festival parade. The traditional Säntis cups will still be available, however, as a limited collector's edition for €5 per cup. Mayor Kirch explains: "By switching to Tetra Paks, we can make the serving process significantly more efficient."

Farmers' Market and Accompanying Program

The main festival is framed by a festival week with a farmers' market (September 12–13), the 82nd Wine Tasting on September 12 (4 p.m.), a Children's Wine Festival on September 19 (2:30 p.m.), and receptions for the partner cities. The accompanying program shows that the Winzerfest is not just a single weekend, but a two-week festive period that sets the rhythm for the entire city life.

Wine, Music, and Tradition

The atmosphere in the market square is classically Southern German-Hessian: wooden benches under sun, then moonlight, vintners behind their stands, live bands and DJs on the stages, with showman stalls in the background. It is a mixture of wine presentation and folk festival that makes the Umstädter Winzerfest unique in this form. Anyone looking for a renowned Hessian wine festival that is both traditional and lively will find one of the most important addresses in Germany here.