Weinheimer Kerwe — Altstadtfest 2026

Weinheim — City of Two Castles on the Bergstraße

The city of Weinheim (approx. 46,000 inhabitants, Rhein-Neckar district) is located between Heidelberg and Darmstadt on the Bergstraße — the famous axis of enjoyment and tourism between the Odenwald forest and the Rhine plain. Weinheim is the City of Two Castles: Windeck Castle (now a ruin) and Weinheim Castle (17th-century city palace with castle park) shape the cityscape. The picturesque old town with its market square, half-timbered houses, and the Gerberbach district — the old tanners' quarter with the stream flowing through the row of houses — is considered one of the most beautiful on the Bergstraße.

Four Days of Old Town Festival, August 7–10, 2026

The Weinheimer Kerwe / Altstadtfest 2026 runs from Friday, August 7th, to Monday, August 10th, 2026. Four festival days will take place in the market square, the castle park, and the Gerberbach district — an unusually well-distributed festival area that organically guides visitors through the entire old town. It is one of the largest old town festivals on the Bergstraße and attracts visitors from Heidelberg, Mannheim, Darmstadt, and the Odenwald.

Opening Friday 4:30 PM at the Old Town Hall

The official opening will take place on Friday, August 7th, 2026, at 4:30 PM at the Old Town Hall (today the city museum) — by the mayor, board members of the participating associations, and representatives of the city marketing. The festival will start with a keg tapping and opening speech, after which the stalls will open and the stage at the market square will be set up.

"Night of a Thousand Lights" — Saturday 7 PM

The highlight of the festival weekend is the "Night of a Thousand Lights" on Saturday, August 8th, 2026, starting at 7:00 PM: Weinheim Castle Park will be illuminated with thousands of lights, fairy lights, candles, illuminated sculptures, and light installations. Citizens and guests stroll through the magically lit park landscape — one of the most atmospheric events in the region. In the park, there will also be live music (often classical or jazz in a atmospheric setting) and wine served by local vintners.

Stadtkapelle Concert Sunday 4 PM

On Sunday, August 9th, 2026, at 4:00 PM, the Stadtkapelle Weinheim will play a traditional concert on the market square stage. Program: brass music classics, waltzes, polkas, and modern big band pieces. A classic Sunday afternoon program that attracts a family audience.

Gerberbach Regatta Monday 3 PM

One of Weinheim's most charming traditions: the Gerberbach Regatta on Monday, August 10th, 2026, at 3:00 PM. In the run-up, children build small boats from cardboard, wood scraps, plastic bottles, corks, and other materials — and launch them for the regatta on the Gerberbach stream. The boats drift down the stream through the Gerberbach district, and a jury judges creativity and seaworthiness. A unique event that delights children and makes adults smile.

Arts and Crafts Market and Catering

An arts and crafts market runs continuously through the narrow old town streets — ceramics, jewelry, leather goods, wood crafts, textiles from the region. Catering by local associations and Weinheim's gastronomy with Palatinate and Odenwald specialties, Bergstraße wines, and draft beer.