Volksfest Willstätter Jahrmarkt
Traditional market on the third September weekend in the Ortenau region — farmers' market, flea market, and folk festival
About Willstätter Jahrmarkt
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Willstätter Jahrmarkt al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Traditional Festival on the Kinzig River
The Willstätter Jahrmarkt is one of the defining events of the northern Ortenau region. Organized by the Community of Willstätt, it takes place annually on the third weekend in September — a reliable constant in the festival calendar. The community, with just under 10,000 inhabitants, transforms into a three-day folk festival destination, attracting thousands of visitors from the Ortenau, Alsace, and Switzerland.
Four Components — from Market to Stage
The concept of the Willstätter Jahrmarkt combines four clearly defined festival components:
- Farmers' and Creative Market on the Mühlplatz in front of the town hall — regional food products (cheese, sausage, honey, bread), creative artisans (ceramics, felt, jewelry), horticultural specialties
- Flea Market along the main streets — around 80 stalls with fashion, jewelry, household items, toys, leather goods — the typical German traveling market
- Open-Air Stage in the central festival area — live music (cover bands, Schlager duos, brass bands), show acts, dance groups
- Amusement Park with bumper cars, children's carousel, and game stalls — the classic fairground atmosphere
Additionally: Art exhibition in the town hall, neighborhood flea market in some private gardens of residents, and the Musiker-Schuppen (musicians' shed) with its own program, music, and catering.
Willstätt — Ortenau Community on the Kinzig River
Willstätt is located in the Ortenau district (AGS 08317), between Kehl (on the Rhine) and Offenburg, traversed by the Kinzig river. The community comprises the main town of Willstätt and several districts, including Eckartsweier and Sand. With its close proximity to Alsace (Strasbourg is only 15 minutes away), the area has a bilingual, cross-border culture — which is also reflected in the Willstätter Jahrmarkt: many visitors come from Strasbourg and Alsace.
Schedule of a Weekend
The market follows a classic, predictable schedule:
- Friday from 6 PM: Festival opening with catering stalls and amusement park
- Saturday from 10 AM: Farmers' market, flea market, and all attractions in full swing
- Sunday from 10 AM: Main market day with Sunday opening hours for shops in the town center
Connection Between Tradition and Modernity
What distinguishes the Willstätter Jahrmarkt from purely commercial markets: the combination of folk festival character (amusement park, live music, catering) with curated culture (farmers' market with regional producers, creative market, art exhibition in the town hall). This mix explains why the market is also appreciated by the culturally interested public from Offenburg and Strasbourg, not just as a folk festival, but as a day-trip destination.
Willstätter Jahrmarkt — edition 2026
Weekend Schedule 2026
The program follows the proven format of the Willstätter Jahrmarkt:
Friday, September 18, 2026 — from 6 PM
- 6:00 PM: Festival opening — catering stalls and amusement park open
- 7:00 PM: Official opening by the mayor on the main stage
- 7:30 PM: First live band on the open-air stage
- 10:00 PM–1:00 AM: Dance and disco program
Saturday, September 19, 2026 — from 10 AM
- 10:00 AM: Full operation — farmers' market on Mühlplatz, flea market in the streets, amusement park
- 10:00 AM–6:00 PM: Art exhibition open in the town hall
- 2:00 PM: Children's program — carousel, face painting, game activities
- 4:00 PM: Show acts and dance groups on stage
- 7:00 PM–12:00 AM: Live concerts on the main stage
- 12:00 AM–1:00 AM: Dance program
Sunday, September 20, 2026 — from 10 AM
- 10:00 AM: Main market day with all attractions in full swing
- 10:00 AM–5:00 PM: Sunday opening hours for shops in the town center (shops open)
- 11:00 AM: Morning pint with brass music
- 2:00 PM: Sunday show program on stage
- 4:00 PM: Demonstrations by local clubs
- 7:00 PM: Festival finale with the last live band
- 8:00 PM: Official festival end
Available throughout (all three days)
- Farmers' and creative market on the Mühlplatz (Sat+Sun from 10 AM)
- Flea market along the main streets (Sat+Sun)
- Open-air stage (evenings daily)
- Amusement park with bumper cars, children's carousel, game stalls
- Art exhibition in the town hall
- Musiker-Schuppen with its own program
- Neighborhood flea markets in private gardens
- Catering by Willstätt clubs
Programme Willstätter Jahrmarkt 2026
Willstätter Jahrmarkt 2026 — Daily Schedule
Friday, September 18, 2026 — from 6 PM
- 6:00 PM — Festival opening; catering and amusement park start
- 7:00 PM — Official opening by the mayor on the main stage
- 7:30 PM–10:00 PM — First live band on the open-air stage (Cover Pop / Rock)
- 10:00 PM–1:00 AM — Dance and disco program
Saturday, September 19, 2026 — from 10 AM
- 10:00 AM — Full operation: Farmers' market on Mühlplatz, flea market in the streets, amusement park
- 10:00 AM–6:00 PM — Art exhibition in the town hall
- 2:00 PM–5:00 PM — Family afternoon with children's program
- 4:00 PM — Show acts and dance groups on stage
- 7:00 PM–12:00 AM — Live concerts on the main stage
- 12:00 AM–1:00 AM — Dance program
Sunday, September 20, 2026 — from 10 AM
- 10:00 AM — Main market day — all stalls, Sunday opening hours for shops
- 11:00 AM — Morning pint with brass music
- 2:00 PM — Sunday show program on stage
- 4:00 PM — Demonstrations by local clubs
- 7:00 PM — Festival finale with the last live band
- 8:00 PM — Festival end
Permanent (all three days)
- Farmers' and creative market at Mühlplatz
- Flea market along the main streets
- Amusement park (bumper cars, children's carousel, game stalls)
- Art exhibition in the town hall
- Musiker-Schuppen with its own program
- Neighborhood flea markets in private gardens
- Catering by Willstätt clubs
Detailed program and band confirmations from August 2026 on willstaett.de and ortenaukultur.de.
Highlights Willstätter Jahrmarkt 2026
- Farmers' market with regional producers
- Flea market with ~80 stalls
- Open-air stage with live music
- Amusement park (bumper cars, carousel)
- Art exhibition in the town hall
- Sunday opening hours for shops in the town center
- Neighborhood flea markets in private gardens
- Cross-border audience from Alsace
Prices Willstätter Jahrmarkt 2026
Free admission. Bumper cars approx. €4, children's carousel approx. €2 per ride, game stalls individually. Food and drinks at club and catering stalls: Bratwurst €3.50, steak €6, Maultaschen €6, draft beer €4 (0.3 l), wine €4.50. Market sales at the farmers' and flea markets: individual prices per vendor.
Practical information — Willstätter Jahrmarkt
Getting There
By train: to Kehl (Rhine) or Offenburg, then bus to Willstätt (lines of SVK Ortenau). By car: A5 exit Appenweier or Offenburg, then B28 towards Kehl. Parking spaces are designated around the town center — expect congestion during the festival weekend, Park & Ride is recommended.
Opening Hours 2026
Friday, September 18, 2026, from 6 PM — Festival opening with catering and amusement park. Saturday, September 19, 2026, from 10 AM — Full operation (farmers' market, flea market, stage, amusement park). Sunday, September 20, 2026, from 10 AM — Main market day with Sunday opening hours for shops.
Admission
Free admission to the entire festival grounds. Amusement park rides have separate prices (bumper cars approx. €4, children's carousel approx. €2). Food and drinks available at club and catering stalls.
Tip
Sunday is the main market day with the most visitors. If you prefer peace and quiet: Saturday morning — the market is already open, less hustle and bustle. Restaurants nearby: upscale for the region.
Festival-goer photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Share your photos
Max. 5 photos, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Spotted an error or missing information?
Help us keep this listing up to date. Each suggestion is reviewed by our team before being published.
Festival-goer reviews
No rating yet — be the first!
No comments yet. Be the first!
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Willstätter Jahrmarkt al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Willstätter Jahrmarkt
Mühlplatz und Ortskern Willstätt
Am Mühlplatz 1, 77731 Willstätt