Weimar Onion Market

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).