Weimar Onion Market
Thuringia's largest folk festival — 373rd edition on the second weekend of October 2026
About Onion Market Weimar
Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Onion Market Weimar al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Thuringia's Largest Folk Festival in Goethe's City
The Weimar Onion Market is not just a market; it's a collective affirmation of Thuringia. Since 1653 — when the market was first documented as «Viehe- und Zippelmarckt» — onion farmers from the Goldene Aue region around Heldrungen and Sömmerda have flocked to Weimar on a weekend in October to sell their harvest. Over the centuries, this sober economic market has evolved into the largest folk festival in the state of Thuringia and one of Germany's oldest annual markets. The 373rd edition in 2026 continues this unbroken tradition.
Onion Strings, Jewelry, and Straw Dolls
The festival's emblem is the onion string — artfully braided from onions weighing up to several kilograms, decorated with strawflowers, sage, lavender, and rosemary. The onion farmers from Heldrungen are the only ones who have passed down this craft through generations; after the festival, their strings can be seen as door decorations throughout half of Thuringia. They also sell onion jewelry (earrings, necklaces, brooches), onion jam, onion cake, and onion schnapps. Approximately 60 Heldrungen families sell around 200 tons of onions at the market each year.
Three Days on the Market Square, Schillerstraße, Frauenplan
The Onion Market covers an area of about 20,000 square meters throughout Weimar's city center: Marktplatz, Theaterplatz, Schillerstraße, Frauenplan, Wielandplatz. Folk music, brass bands, big bands, and pop cover bands alternate on several stages. Amusement rides and carousels for children are located on the outskirts of the city, while the historic center is reserved for market stalls offering arts and crafts, Thuringian bratwurst, and regional specialties. The famous «Weimarer Zwiebelkuchen» — savory with bacon and caraway — can be found here in abundance and at its best.
City Run and Onion Market Queen
Two program points have been part of the festival for decades. On Saturday morning, the «Stadtlauf zum Zwiebelmarkt» (City Run for the Onion Market) starts with around 2,000 runners on an 11-kilometer route through the city center. And on the festival Sunday, the new «Weimarer Zwiebelmarktkönigin» (Weimar Onion Market Queen) is crowned, who will serve as an ambassador for the city and the onion farmers for a year. The Sunday opening for shopping (12–6 PM) on the last market day rounds off the weekend — Weimar's city center shops open, offering a relaxed shopping opportunity, especially for families.
Weimar in October — Classical Music and Market
Anyone visiting the Onion Market should combine it with a visit to the city of poets: Goethe's house on Frauenplan is located directly at the festival grounds, Schiller's house two streets away. The Anna Amalia Library, the Bauhaus Museum, and the City Palace are within sight. The Park an der Ilm connects the city center and Belvedere — a walk on an October morning before the market opens is one of the most beautiful ways to experience Weimar. The city is located in the state of Thuringia, in the independent city of Weimar (AGS 16055).
Onion Market Weimar — edition 2026
373 Times Onion Market
When a market has taken place every year since 1653, 373 editions are not a marketing figure but an unbroken tradition. From October 9th to 11th, 2026, the Weimar Onion Market opens for the 373rd time. Heldrungen onion farmers sell onion strings, jewelry, jam, and schnapps on the market square; around them are carousels, amusement rides, and stages with folk music, brass bands, pop, and big bands.
City Run, Crowning, Sunday Shopping
On Saturday morning, the City Run for the Onion Market takes place through Weimar's city center (approx. 2,000 participants, 11 km). On Sunday, the new Onion Market Queen is crowned. The festival day culminates with the Sunday opening for shopping (12 PM–6 PM) — city center shops are open, and the market runs concurrently.
Programme Onion Market Weimar 2026
Program Highlights 2026
- Friday, October 9th — Opening: Market stalls set up and open in the afternoon; first stage concerts on Marktplatz and Theaterplatz in the evening.
- Saturday, October 10th — Main Market Day: City Run for the Onion Market 11 km with ~2,000 runners (start in the morning at Marktplatz); market open from 10:00 AM; several stages with folk music, brass bands, and cover bands; Children's Onion Market on Theaterplatz with its own stage.
- Sunday, October 11th — Crowning Day: afternoon Crowning of the Onion Market Queen on the main stage; Sunday opening for shopping 12:00 PM–6:00 PM; festival concludes in the evening.
- Accompanying program: Heldrungen onion string sales stands on Marktplatz; Thuringian bratwurst, Rostbrätel, and Weimar onion cake; amusement rides on the outskirts (Schwanseebad).
- Family highlights: carousels, pony rides, Ferris wheel; children's program on Wielandplatz.
The full stage program and route map will be published shortly before the festival on weimar.de.
Highlights Onion Market Weimar 2026
- 373rd edition — one of Germany's oldest annual markets since 1653
- Thuringia's largest folk festival with ~250,000 visitors
- Heldrungen onion strings and onion jewelry on Marktplatz
- City Run for the Onion Market on Saturday (~2,000 participants)
- Crowning of the Onion Market Queen on Sunday
- Sunday opening for shopping October 11th from 12 PM to 6 PM
Prices Onion Market Weimar 2026
Admission to the market is free. Food, drinks, onion strings, and amusement rides are paid for on-site. Participation in the city run requires pre-registration (registration fee depending on distance, online at weimar.de).
Practical information — Onion Market Weimar
Date 2026
Friday, October 9th to Sunday, October 11th, 2026, the second weekend of October. Main market days Saturday and Sunday, setup from Friday afternoon. Sunday opening for shopping October 11th from 12 PM to 6 PM.
Location
Marktplatz, Theaterplatz, Schillerstraße, Frauenplan, Wielandplatz — spread throughout Weimar's entire city center. Postal code 99423 Weimar.
Getting There
By train: Weimar ICE station is a 15-minute walk from the festival grounds; direct ICE connections Frankfurt–Erfurt–Weimar–Leipzig–Berlin. By car: A4 Erfurt–Dresden, Weimar exit, then follow Park & Ride signs. The city center is closed to cars during the festival. Recommended: Travel by train or use P+R at Schwanseebad, Festplatz, Asbachtal.
Admission
The market is freely accessible. Amusement rides and food are paid for on-site.
Accommodation
Book hotel reservations early — the weekend is one of Weimar's peak weekends. Alternatives: Erfurt (15 min by ICE), Apolda (10 min by RB), Bad Berka (20 min by public transport).
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 Onion Market Weimar al mejor precio.
Sponsored link
Where it takes place Onion Market Weimar
Marktplatz und Innenstadt Weimar
Marktplatz und Innenstadt, 99423 Weimar