Event Details
Middle Moselle Wine Festival 2026 in Bernkastel-Kues
From 3 to 7 September 2026, the Moselle town of Bernkastel-Kues becomes the heart of German wine culture. The Middle Moselle Wine Festival (Weinfest der Mittelmosel) is one of the largest and most traditional wine festivals in Germany, attracting thousands of visitors from around the world to the Moselle Valley. Five unforgettable days of wine, music, a spectacular fireworks display and a magnificent festival procession await between historic half-timbered houses and breathtaking Moselle scenery. Admission to the Weinstraße (wine street) is free of charge.
Highlights at a Glance
- Wine tasting evening on the Weinstraße on Thursday from 5:00 PM
- Moselblümchen meets Winzerkittel costume evening on Thursday at 6:30 PM at Marktplatz
- Opening of the funfair and Moselauenmarkt on Friday from 3:00 PM
- Reception of the Mosella (Wine Queen) on Friday from 8:00 PM at Marktplatz
- Spectacular fireworks display on Saturday at 9:00 PM along the Moselle riverbank
- Traditional festival procession on Sunday from 2:00 PM through the Old Town
- Guided wine hikes on Friday and Saturday at 2:00 PM
- Five days of live music on three main stages and five music spots
- 300-metre Weinstraße with wines from more than 20 Moselle communities
Program Day by Day
Thursday, 3 September 2026: The festival opens at 5:00 PM with the Weinstraße and a traditional wine tasting evening, featuring wines in smaller 5 cl tasting portions so visitors can explore the full range of Moselle wines. At 6:30 PM on Marktplatz, the popular Moselblümchen meets Winzerkittel evening begins. Those wearing the traditional Moselle costume receive a gift and an entry ticket for the prize draw.
Friday, 4 September 2026: The Weinstraße opens from noon; the funfair and Moselauenmarkt open from 2:00 PM. A guided wine hike starts at 2:00 PM from the Graacher Tor. The evening highlights the Mosella reception at 8:00 PM: the Wine Queen of Bernkastel-Kues arrives on a magnificent float, joined by wine queens from more than 20 Moselle communities on the historic Marktplatz.
Saturday, 5 September 2026: The busiest day of the festival. The Weinstraße opens at 11:00 AM; a second guided wine hike starts at 2:00 PM. The absolute highlight of the entire festival is the fireworks display at 9:00 PM on the Moselle riverbank, lasting nearly half an hour. The best viewing spots are along the Moselpromenade and the vineyard lookout points.
Sunday, 6 September 2026: The Weinstraße opens at 11:00 AM. At 2:00 PM, the grand festival procession begins, winding through the Old Town and across the Moselle bridge to Kues. Wine queens from more than 20 Moselle communities parade on elaborate floats, joined by brass bands and groups in traditional Moselle costumes.
Monday, 7 September 2026: The final day of the main wine festival. The Weinstraße opens from noon. The funfair and Moselauenmarkt continue through Tuesday, 8 September 2026 for a relaxed final day of festivities.
The Weinstraße: Heart of the Festival
The 300-metre-long Weinstraße is the centrepiece of the Middle Moselle Wine Festival. More than 20 Moselle communities present their finest Riesling and other grape varieties across five days. Food stalls offer Flammkuchen (tarte flambée), grilled dishes, potato pancakes, burgers and gyros. Brass bands and live acts provide atmosphere along the entire length of the street.
Live Music on Three Stages
Five days of live performances across three main stages and five music spots keep the atmosphere lively from afternoon into the night. The programme spans Schlager, brass band music, rock, pop and funk. The full music programme is published on the official festival website ahead of the event.
Funfair and Moselauenmarkt
On the opposite Kues riverbank, the funfair offers rides and attractions for all ages, while the adjacent Moselauenmarkt with more than 40 stalls sells handmade jewellery, décor, leather goods, delicacies, spirits and spices. The funfair and market open one day after the Weinstraße and continue through Tuesday.
New in 2026: Guided Wine Hike
For the first time as part of the festival, a special guided wine hike takes place on 4 and 5 September 2026 at 2:00 PM. Starting at Graacher Tor in Bernkastel, the route follows a scenic section of the "Eidechse liebt Riesling" theme trail with insights into steep-slope viticulture and Moselle winemaking tradition. The hike concludes with two glasses of the legendary Bernkasteler Doctor wine. Places are limited; booking is available via the Tourist Information experience shop.
Opening Hours of the Weinstraße
- Thursday, 3 September: from 5:00 PM
- Friday, 4 September: from 12:00 noon
- Saturday, 5 September: from 11:00 AM
- Sunday, 6 September: from 11:00 AM
- Monday, 7 September: from 12:00 noon
Getting There & Parking
Arriving by public transport (VRT regional bus network) is strongly recommended. Special festival bus services with extended timetables run on several routes. A free shuttle bus operates on Saturday (3:00 PM to 2:00 AM) and Sunday (4:30 PM to 11:00 PM) between Kueser Hafen and Güterhalle Kues. A boat shuttle also crosses between the two riverbanks on Saturday and Sunday.
Car parking is available at the Altstadtparkhaus "Forum Alter Bahnhof". Additional paid parking (€7) is available from Friday to Sunday at Kueser Werth and other signposted locations. Note: road closures apply from Saturday 4:00 PM and Sunday 12:00 noon; the Moselle bridge is closed to traffic on Saturday evening from 6:00 PM and on Sunday from noon to 5:00 PM.
Visitor Tips
- Arrive early, especially on Saturday, the busiest day of the festival.
- Wear a Moselblümchen (women) or Winzerkittel (men) costume and join the Thursday evening tradition on Marktplatz.
- Secure your spot along the Moselpromenade or vineyard viewpoints early on Saturday evening for the fireworks.
- Bicycles are not permitted on the Weinstraße for safety reasons.
- Dogs are best left at home due to the fireworks and large crowds.
- Free emergency wristbands for children are available at the funfair and DRK first-aid station.
- Book accommodation in the Bernkastel-Kues area as early as possible; availability during the festival is extremely limited.
