Wäldchestag Frankfurt

Frankfurt's Unofficial National Holiday

If Frankfurt had a "National Holiday" – it would be the Wäldchestag. Traditionally the Tuesday after Pentecost, when city residents used to get a day off to pilgrimage to the city forest to the festival grounds at the Oberforsthaus. Even if hardly any employer grants the day off today, the tradition lives on: The Wäldchestag remains one of Frankfurt's most peculiar city festivals – a Volksfest in the middle of the forest, deeply rooted in local identity.

Five Days in the Forest

In 2026, the Wäldchestag runs from Friday, May 22nd, to Tuesday, May 26th. The festival grounds at the Oberforsthaus are located in the southern Frankfurt city forest (Sachsenhausen), framed by tall oaks and beeches – an unusual festival backdrop amidst trees rather than skyscrapers.

13 Major Attractions

In 2026, the program includes 13 large rides, including a Ferris wheel 45 meters high, towering over the treetops and offering a unique view of the city forest. In addition, there are carousels for children, bumper cars, classic fairground games, candy stalls, and Frankfurt's classic snack stands.

New in 2026: Wine in the Ferris Wheel

A special feature of the 2026 edition: On Sunday, May 24th, there will be a wine tasting in the Ferris wheel – featuring wines from the municipal winery of Frankfurt. The city has owned its own vineyards for centuries (on the Lohrberger Hang in eastern Frankfurt), which few Frankfurt residents know about. This tradition is gaining new attention at the Ferris wheel tasting.

Getting There by Tram 21

A peculiarity of the Wäldchestag: Tram line 21 connects Frankfurt Central Station directly to the festival grounds at the Oberforsthaus. This line is reinforced every year – arriving at the Wäldchestag without public transport is practically impossible, as the nearby forest area has very limited parking.

Tradition Since the Reformation

The roots of the Wäldchestag go back centuries. The day originated in the 18th century from the traditional spring amusements of Frankfurt residents in the then city-adjacent forest. The term "Wäldchen" is Frankfurt dialect for "small forest." In the meantime, Frankfurt's urban area has grown considerably, but the city forest remains one of Germany's largest contiguous urban forest areas with over 4,800 hectares – Wäldchestag included.