Weinfest Erpel
Traditional Wine Village at the Foot of the Erpeler Ley
2026
About Weinfest Erpel
Weinfest Erpel — edition 2026
The 2026 edition of Weinfest Erpel remains true to its proven concept: four days on the third weekend of September, a wine village on the Rhine promenade, regional vintners, and dedicated clubs. The event traditionally begins on Friday evening with the official opening and ends on Monday with a gradual winding down.
The exact program for 2026 will be published by the organizer in late summer. The structure follows the proven cornerstones of previous years: opening evening on Friday, festival operation on Saturday and Sunday with musical accompaniment, and a quieter festival conclusion on Monday. Experience shows that Saturday evening is the busiest time.
Highlights Weinfest Erpel 2026
- Wine village directly on the Rhine with views of the Siebengebirge and Erpeler Ley
- Regional vintners with Riesling and Spätburgunder from the Middle Rhine
- Club stands with specialties to support local club work
- Live music on the main evenings
Programme Weinfest Erpel 2026
Proven Schedule of the Wine Festival
- Friday, September 18, 2026: Opening of the wine village on the Rhine promenade from late afternoon, initial musical accents, and welcome by the representatives of the local municipality.
- Saturday, September 19, 2026: Main festival day with all-day operation of the vintner stands, culinary offerings from the clubs, and live music in the evening.
- Sunday, September 20, 2026: Family day, traditionally with a quieter midday atmosphere and a festive evening program.
- Monday, September 21, 2026: Festival conclusion, tasting of the last drops, and a cozy end.
The detailed live program will be communicated in late summer 2026 via the local municipality and the city journal.
Prices Weinfest Erpel 2026
Practical information — Weinfest Erpel
Date & Location
The Weinfest Erpel takes place annually on the third weekend in September. The venue is the wine village directly on the Rhine promenade in 53579 Erpel.
Getting There
Erpel is easily accessible via the B 42 (right-bank Rhine road). Erpel train station is on the right-bank railway line and is within walking distance of the festival grounds. Seasonal connections are available via the Middle Rhine fleet. Parking facilities on the outskirts of the town are signposted.
Admission
Admission to the wine village is free. Payment is made directly at the stands and vintner stalls, often using tokens.
Families & Accessibility
The wine village is designed to be family-friendly. The ground-level location on the Rhine promenade is largely accessible with minimal barriers.
A Wine Festival on the Rhine with a Special Backdrop
For decades, the Weinfest Erpel has been an integral part of cultural life on the right bank of the Middle Rhine. For four days, traditionally on the third weekend in September, the historic village center of the small wine town opens its doors for a festival that combines conviviality, regional wine culture, and its unique location on the Rhine. The imposing Erpeler Ley, a 191-meter-high basalt rock, forms the natural backdrop for this characteristic wine village.
Vintners, Clubs, and Culinary Diversity
The focus is on the local vintners who offer their Middle Rhine wines for tasting in a relaxed atmosphere. Riesling, Spätburgunder, and other varieties from the steep slopes around Erpel are served here directly by the producer. This oenological offering is complemented by numerous club stands serving Palatinate specialties, Flammkuchen, Reibekuchen (potato pancakes), and hearty classics. The proceeds from the club stands traditionally benefit volunteer club work in Erpel.
Nestled Between the Rhine and the Ley
The festival owes its special atmosphere to its location between the Rhine river and the towering basalt massif of the Erpeler Ley. When the sun sets behind the opposite heights of the Siebengebirge and the festival lights reflect in the water, an ambiance is created that carries the reputation of the Erpel Wine Festival far beyond the Unkel administrative district. Strolls along the towpath, a climb up the rock, and a visit to the wine village can be wonderfully combined on a festival day.
Live Music and Sociability
Throughout all days, live bands and musical performances provide entertainment in the wine village. The program ranges from cover and party music on the main evening to quieter musical accompaniments on the weekend. Families find a relaxed environment during the day, while the festival gains festive energy in the evening. Guests come from the surrounding towns of Unkel, Linz, Bad Honnef, as well as from the Westerwald and the Bonn region.
Where it takes place Weinfest Erpel
Weinfest Erpel at a glance
Festivals similar to Weinfest Erpel
Festival-goer reviews
No comments yet. Be the first!. be the first!
No rating yet
Were you there?
Share your experience with the community.
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 photos
No photos yet. Share yours!
Max. 5 photos, 5 MB per photo (JPG, PNG, WebP)
Published by Valentin Contard, festival listings writer. Reviewed, corrected and approved by Christophe Contard, editor-in-chief. .