Wuppertal-Vohwinkel Wine Festival

Wuppertal-Vohwinkel — the western gateway to the city

Vohwinkel is the westernmost district of Wuppertal — an independent city until 1929, now with around 30,000 inhabitants, it is one of Wuppertal's districts with a distinct character. Known for the Schwebebahn (suspended monorail) terminus in Vohwinkel, the strategically important Vohwinkel station with ICE connections, and a lively shopping street axis around Kaiserstraße. Lienhardplatz is the central square in the district — the venue for weekly markets, district festivals, and the annual wine festival.

Aktion V — the business association behind the festival

The "Aktion V" business association is the union of Vohwinkel's businesses and restaurateurs. It organizes several events throughout the year that shape district life: Spring Festival, Wine Festival, Vohwinkel Open Air, Christmas Market. The Wine Festival is one of its most traditional formats — established as a fixture in the Wuppertal event calendar since the mid-2010s.

2026 Program — three days, three moods

Friday, June 5, 2026 — Opening

The festival opens at 4:00 PM. At 5:30 PM, the official opening by the Vohwinkel district mayor with a keg tapping ceremony on Lienhardplatz. In the evening, live music (oldies, pop) until midnight — the weekend begins relaxed.

Saturday, June 6, 2026 — Main Festival Day

Opening already at 11:00 AM, the festival runs until midnight. Daytime family program, regional market character, in the evening concerts by regional acts (cover bands, Wuppertal pop acts, oldies). Highlight: the live stage in the evening.

Sunday, June 7, 2026 — Jazz Sunday

Opening at 11:00 AM, closing around 6:00 PM. Classically the quieter Sunday slot with jazz concerts in the afternoon, leisurely strolling, wine tasting atmosphere. Brunch-style program for early birds.

Vintners and Culinary Delights

Renowned German vintners present their wines at the festival grounds: Riesling, Spätburgunder, Müller-Thurgau, Grauburgunder, Weißburgunder — the full spectrum of German wine identity (Rheingau, Pfalz, Mosel, Baden, Württemberg, Franken). Those who want to taste openly will find a selection not covered by regular Wuppertal retail.

Culinary accompaniment: Crêpes, grilled specialties, regional bratwurst, smoked salmon, potato spirals — classic German wine festival catering, not overloaded, solid quality.

Live Music as a Common Thread

Unlike pure wine fairs, the Vohwinkel festival strongly emphasizes live music on all three days. Cover bands like "The Black Shadows" (a Wuppertal oldie institution) are regular guests, along with pop and jazz acts from the Bergisches Land region. The festival is thus both a district festival and a concert weekend.

Wuppertal and the Bergisches Land

Visitors to the festival should also explore Wuppertal beyond Vohwinkel: a ride on the Schwebebahn from Vohwinkel across the city to Oberbarmen (one of the most unique means of transport worldwide), the Wuppertal Zoological Garden, the Skulpturenpark Waldfrieden, the Engels House in Barmen, the Von der Heydt Museum. Vohwinkel itself is worth a stroll through Kaiserstraße and a look at the station area.