March to your closet and pull out your pink! The date of the Almond Blossom Festival in Gimmeldingen occurs weekend March 23-24, and a note on the organizer's website suggests that guests come clad in a rose-hued shade to complement their surroundings. Now wouldn't that make for a pretty picture? Prost the opening of the wine fest season in Germany! We've made it through the dark and cold, and the best months of the year are now upon us. Sign up to receive travel tips, local event details, restaurant reviews, recipes, community news, and more every week from Stripes Europe. 20247:00 PM UTCHere comes Santa ClausSanta makes appearances all over the world leading up to Christmas [1/23]Members of the "Riding Santas" Harley Davidson club take part in their 10th ride to distribute sweets to children and collect money for a children's hospice in Jockgrim REUTERS/Kai PfaffenbachNEUSTADT AN DER WEINSTRASSE embraces children during a Christmas celebration organized by the NGO Favela Mundo for giving importance to diversity and inclusion at a school in Cidade de Deus slum in Rio de Janeiro [3/23]A man dressed as Santa Claus waves during the 98th Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City [5/23]A diver dressed as Santa Claus swims among sea life within the Window on Washington Waters habitat while a child poses for photographs at the Seattle Aquarium in Seattle [6/23]Hundreds of people parade dressed as Santa Claus on their motorcycles through Barcelona Vardinoyiannis” Oncology unit of the Aghia Sofia Children’s Hospital in Athens [8/23]Runners dressed in Santa Claus red costumes warm up before taking part in Mexico City's Santa Claus Race [9/23]A man carries a model of the film character E.T as hundreds of BMX cyclists dressed in festive-themed outfits take part in an annual charity ride called ‘Santa Cruise’ to raise funds for Evelina Children's Hospital Heart Organisation [10/23]People take part in a half-naked Santa run in Budapest [11/23]A popcorn vendor dressed as Santa Claus works during Christmas season celebrations at the Esplanade of Ministries in Brasilia [12/23]A man dressed as Santa Claus greets children during Christmas celebrations at the Esplanade of Ministries in Brasilia [13/23]A man dressed as Santa Claus gestures as children from St Joseph's nursery sing with Lucan Gospel Choir at a live animal Christmas nativity crib [14/23]People take part in a half-naked Santa run in Budapest [15/23]Participants wearing Santa Claus-themed outfits take part in a charity run [16/23]Men dressed as Santa Claus and Grinch react before Santa Fun Run charity event in Riga [17/23]Revellers dressed as Santa take part in the annual SantaCon celebration in New York City [18/23]Members of the "Riding Santas" Harley Davidson club take part in their 10th ride to distribute sweets to children and collect money for a children's hospice in Jockgrim [19/23]Hundreds of BMX cyclists dressed in festive themed outfits pause at Buckingham Palace as they take part in an annual charity ride called ‘Santa Cruise’ to raise funds for Evelina Children's Hospital Heart Organisation hand over Christmas gifts to young patients of the “Marianna V [21/23]A man dressed as Santa Claus greets a child during Christmas season celebrations at the Esplanade of Ministries in Brasilia [22/23]A man dressed as Santa Claus plays trumpet before Santa Fun Run charity event in Riga [23/23]A diver dressed as Santa Claus swims inside a fish tank at the Tropicarium aquarium in Budapest , opens new tab Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. , opens new tabScreen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. © 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved So much so that there is even a collection point at the recycling depot for dead animals "People bring their dead dogs here," says Stefan Weiss as he steps into a refrigerated shed and opens the lid on a wheelie bin containing a deer's head recently deposited by a local hunter "All these animals get rendered down at a nearby facility for their fat It then gets used to produce things like this." Weiss pulls a tube of lip balm from his pocket Located in the south-western state of Rheinland-Pfalz and set in the heart of Palatinate wine-growing region medieval town of Neustadt boasts the best recycling rates in Germany the town has nurtured and refined a system that means it now recycles about 70% of its waste – 16% higher than the state target UK recycling rates average about 40% – up from just 5% in the mid-1990s The reason for Neustadt's success is simple "It's all about providing financial incentives and education We don't charge citizens anything for the recycled waste they leave out And the less waste you put out for incineration – we've had no landfill in Germany since 2005 – the less you pay "Having no incentive to reduce waste is poisonous to your aims visible fee that is intentionally not embedded within a local tax." the majority of Neustadt's 28,000 households opt for a 60-litre bin for their non-recycled waste This is collected once a fortnight and costs the household €6.60 in collection fees if they opt for a 240l bin (the standard wheelie bin volume in the UK) If they produce higher than expected waste due to they can buy special 60l plastic sacks for €3 and leave them out by their bins for collection householders are asked to sort their items and bag them into three groupings: paper/cardboard; glass; and plastics/foils/cans The latter grouping goes into a yellow bag and can include anything from Styrofoam and yoghurt pots through to aluminium foil and Tetrapaks Compost bins are provided for those with gardens to dispose of organic waste dead pets — must be taken to the recycling depot a mile or so from the town centre Larger loads of waste – debris from a house renovation say – can be dumped at the depot for a fee of €5 for loads up to 100kg although households are limited to one load a week Bigger loads command much higher commercial fees a calendar is provided each year to households marking pick-up days for different types of waste or private firms are available to take away waste on demand for a fee "We started this simple fee system in 2006 and we find it works," says Weiss "We have been sorting our waste since the early 1980s, but in 1989 we joined up with other towns in the region and formed our own waste company to process the waste more efficiently Our waste costs are actually lower now than when we started and we even turn a slight profit some years when the commodity prices are high Further proof that the system works is provided by neighbouring regions which use different systems one charges according to the number of people who live in the home whereas another offers one option: a weekly collection of a 100l bin "These regions both produce 100kg more waste per person per year than we do here," says Weiss But he also believes that Neustadt has probably gone as far as it can with maximising recycling There are behavioural issues such as those few people who still mix up their waste there is a fixed percentage of people who live in high-density housing without access to gardens or outside storage." Gabrielle Stahl lives on a hill overlooking the town in the leafy suburb of Hambach She didn't even know Neustadt boasted Germany's best recycling rates but isn't surprised: "We are all very normalised to the system here There is no controversy or debate whatsoever about our rubbish." who lives with her husband and shares bins with her mother who lives next door opens the cupboard beneath her sink to reveal two waste caddies containing vegetable peelings and non-recyclable domestic waste the family stores its bottles and "yellow bag" material They have paid extra to have a dedicated wheelie bin for their paper and card outside "The bags kept splitting," she explains four lorries pull up outside Stahl's home to separately collect each waste stream you just ring them up and a car comes back to collect it I will drive down to the depot and get rid of things like old furniture or a broken appliance I buy a chemical patch from the supermarket to stick on the inside of the bin to kill the flies and maggots "The only thing that could be improved is that I would like a separate collection for organic waste as sometimes I produce too much for my compost heap." Stefan Weiss moves on to the subject of enforcement we have the power to fine people if they don't sort their waste But we never do this because it costs too much to investigate And we just don't have an issue with flytipping because we make the system so cheap and easy to use We still get the odd complaint about the move to fortnightly collections A car towing a trailer full of construction waste pulls up at the weigh-station by the entrance gate Weiss wanders over to inspect the contents Or if the car owner sorts it into separate types of waste — timber plasterboard etc — it will cost him just €17 We provide a major incentive to recycle." Germany's Deutsche Weinstrasse is the world's oldest wine trail The trail was originally founded by the local Nazi party chief to attract wine tourists A new generation of winemakers is reviving interest in the trail which passes through 37 towns and villages '+n.escapeExpression("function"==typeof(o=null!=(o=r(e,"eyebrowText")||(null!=l?r(l,"eyebrowText"):l))?o:n.hooks.helperMissing)?o.call(null!=l?l:n.nullContext||{},{name:"eyebrowText",hash:{},data:t,loc:{start:{line:28,column:63},end:{line:28,column:78}}}):o)+" \n '+(null!=(o=c(e,"if").call(r,null!=l?c(l,"cta2PreText"):l,{name:"if",hash:{},fn:n.program(32,t,0),inverse:n.noop,data:t,loc:{start:{line:63,column:20},end:{line:63,column:61}}}))?o:"")+"\n"+(null!=(o=(c(e,"ifAll")||l&&c(l,"ifAll")||n.hooks.helperMissing).call(r,null!=l?c(l,"cta2Text"):l,null!=l?c(l,"cta2Link"):l,{name:"ifAll",hash:{},fn:n.program(34,t,0),inverse:n.noop,data:t,loc:{start:{line:64,column:20},end:{line:70,column:30}}}))?o:"")+" One of the best ways to explore the region is to follow the 85-kilometre-long Wine Route between the villages of Schweigen-Rechtenbach and Bockenheim you will get a chance to stop at some of Germany’s best vineyards Here are the top ten things to do and see along the way the German Wine Gate marks the southern end of the Wine Route in Schweigen-Rechtenbach When wine prices plummeted after an above-average vintage in 1934 the Wine Route and the gate with it were created it in an attempt to promote the wine region and spur the economy and the on-site restaurant is the perfect spot for your first glass of wine en-route Deutsches Weintor Restaurant, Weinstraße 4, Schweigen-Rechtenbach, Germany Neustadt might be the dreamiest town along the Wine Route – cobblestoned streets, timber-framed houses and vineyards all around exude a nostalgic atmosphere. The town offers Michelin-starred restaurants hidden in cosy vaulted cellar rooms and, of course, a number of wine bars that serve award-winning Rieslings by the glass Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, Germany | © erge / Pixabay Schloss Villa Ludwigshöhe Once a summer residence of Ludwig I of Bavaria this beautiful villa near Edenkoben is one of the not-to-miss sights along the route Ludwig I specifically asked for his new country house to be built in an Italian style Backed by the Palatinate forest and surrounded by vineyards the four-wing mansion along with the twin-storey loggia does spread a hint of a Tuscan flair Guided tours of the estate are available if you’re interested in learning more you can go off and explore the villa on your own Schloss Villa Ludwigshöhe, Villastraße 64, Edenkoben, Germany Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $800 on our unique trips See privacy policy Landeck Castle Just south of Landau you find the ruins of a former knight’s castle The tumbling walls trace back to the early 1200s and today provide the backdrop for medieval markets and other cultural events A small restaurant provides food and drinks year-round to those who come here for the panoramic views from the tower and the small archaeological exhibition Landeck Castle, Klingenmünster, Germany | © Rolohauck / WikiCommons Villa Rustica Weilberg Winemaking was introduced to the region by the Romans more than 2,000 years ago A relic of that time is the Roman vineyard in Bad Dürkheim that was unearthed by archaeologists in 1981 The site encompasses the remains of a large manor house Villa Rustica Weilberg, Bad Dürkheim, Germany Perched on a hill near Neustadt an der Weinstraße sits Hambach Castle – a definite must-see when you’re in the region The 11th-century castle is one the most important symbols of German democracy This association goes back to the 1832 Hambach Festival when members of the public marched on the castle demanding unity and freedom – a milestone event in the country’s democratic history the castle houses a fascinating museum about the event and its consequences Hambacher Schloss, Schlossstraße, Neustadt, Germany | © tomkevicius / Pixabay Villa Rustica Wachenheim The ruins of the Roman Villa Rustica in Wachenheim were discovered by pure chance in 1980 Archaeological findings date the origin of the country estate back to 20 AD and have shown that the complex continuously grew over the following centuries the estate was composed of a large main building two bathhouses equipped with the Roman predecessor model of an underfloor heating system Villa Rustica Wachenheim, Wachenheim, Germany Bad Dürkheim, Germany | © goellner880 / Pixabay Haus der Deutschen Weinstraße, Weinstraße 91b, Bockenheim an der Weinstraße, Germany The historic city centre is dotted with romantic taverns Landau in der Pfalz, Germany | © hpgruesen / Pixabay If you click on a link in this story All recommendations have been independently sourced by Culture Trip Read Next See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in October See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in July Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in November Design The Most Beautiful Churches in Berlin See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Summer See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Autumn Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in December See & Do A Guide to River Cruises in Germany: What to Know See & Do The Best Weekend Trips From Heidelberg See & Do Germany's Most Beautiful Abbeys and Monasteries See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in September Art 10 Masterpieces You Can Only See in Munich US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000 tripssupport@theculturetrip.com © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd a small town in the middle of the Pfalz wine region is most famous for its many wine taverns and thousands of acres of vineyards isn’t the only beverage worth sipping when visiting Neustadt about 25 miles southeast of Kaiserslautern on the German Wine Route Anyone who loves coffee should stop at Blank Roast for a satisfying cup of joe that beats anything with caffeine from Barbarossa or McCafe A hulking machine made in the 1930s and fitted with state-of-the-art controls hums loudly in the corner The coffee beans are roasted and then cooled and spun in an open vat Blank has been at the helm of the shop’s coffee-making since 2007 Blank’s methods are unique; during the roasting process he adds organic grapevines from the region which add moisture and bring out more aroma from the beans almond and cinnamon are among the flavor notes created during roasting “We are roasting the coffee beans very long On a recent morning I saw Blank checking on the beans as they cooled Customers get a front-row view of the cafe’s open workspace What this also means is that getting lost in one’s thoughts or holding a conversation over a cup of coffee may be disrupted by the noise of the roaster firing up But the tradeoff is enjoying the fragrant smell of roasting beans coupled with a hearty cappuccino Daily breakfast options are listed on a board and it’s best to ask about those choices when ordering at the counter A selection of cakes and pastries and pre-made sandwiches are available all day You can order coffee by type of bean and aroma as described on a chalkboard by the register Also available are shots of two kinds of espresso from local wines and jams to cooking oils and holiday cookies Stars and Stripes reporter Marcus Kloeckner contributed to this report Prices: Coffee drinks cost from 2.50 euros to 3.80 euros (about $2.90 to $4.35) depending on the size of drink and type of bean Large cappuccinos and latte macchiatos cost 4 euros Other options such as cake and pastries start at about 1.50 euros People are sitting around little tables on the grass and enjoying the sunny October weather They are listening to the laid-back beats of a jazz band playing on the square in front of them What better way to relax and enjoy a drop of the local wine and the culture that goes hand and hand with it The German Wine Festival in Neustadt an der Weinstraße provides the perfect atmosphere for everyone Next to the Mediterranean garden with palm and fig trees on Hetzelplatz a historic ‘Spiegelpalast’ marquee is set up complete with a ‘Bon Vivant’ lounge and two magnificent bars where staff serve more than 100 different wines from Neustadt the Palatinate region and all over the world You can enjoy them in peace in one of the cosy booths between the wooden columns and order a selection of fine cheeses to go with them Things get livelier as you head towards the station There is a merry-go-round on the festival square and the little half-timbered stalls provide sustenance for visitors in the form of local specialities plenty of sausages and no shortage of drinks Big groups of people stand around chatting while others are dressed up in their finery as they head over the square towards the town hall which is the venue for a special wine tasting every year and also where the German Wine Queen is crowned The wine festival in Neustadt is just one of many celebrated in the Palatinate region They are all lively occasions and visitors from outside are always welcome the more people are sitting around a table and chats about life in this lovely area in general and about the local wines Rides on the fair at the German Wine Festival in "Neustadt an der Weinstrasse" Enjoy wine at "Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt" in Bad Dürkheim The oldest wine festival in the Palatinate has a name that could confuse visitors: the roots of the Wurstmarkt which literally translates as the ‘sausage market’ The locals entertained the pilgrims and festival-goers who had travelled to the pilgrimage church on the Michaelsberg outside of town for the church consecration festival 600,000 visitors now head to the Brühlwiese to celebrate the Wurstmarkt one of the largest wine festivals in the world There is also a big funfair and plenty of opportunities to taste various rieslings from the Palatinate region and other products from local winemakers ‘Kerwe’ is a local term for church consecration, which is where the Weinkerwe in Deidesheim gets its name with winemakers and cooperatives given permission to serve wine in the Weingasse and it is now considered one of the most important festivals in the region the season begins with the almond blossom festival in Gimmeldingen a district of Neustadt an der Weinstraße.  As of March the pink blossom of the almond trees can be seen all over the Palatinate region giving the landscape a colourful new face and marking the end of the cold winter months this is celebrated with the crowning of an almond blossom queen and a glass of wine the first of the year enjoyed in the open air Blooming almond trees at Neustadt an der Weinstrasse there are then a series of lively wine festivals culminating in events held in various villages in October in honour of the year’s new wine known as Federweisser or Rauscher.  This grape must speciality is drunk half way through the process of turning grape juice into wine if you happen to chance upon one of these wine festivals you will not regret deviating from your original plans and sitting down for a while to enjoy a glass of fine wine and some good company Find out everything you need to know on events attractions and other destinations in the Palatinate at the Pfalz.Touristik The wine festivals in Romantic Germany are a pure pleasure as diverse as the grapes that are grown and pressed here Enjoy an "all-inclusive" holiday with the Palatinate Card: You can use the local public transport and enjoy more than 100 attractions throughout the region free of charge for your entire stay Imperial city in the Palatinate with Mediterranean flair: The impressive romanesque architecture of the Speyer Cathedral dominates the city skyline you can expect a hearty feast at the end of the day relatively flat routes for relaxed or more demanding days out Explore the Palatinate on its most beautiful cycle routes Relaxed cycling through the river valleys in the Palatinate uplands sporty tours in the Palatinate Forest or leisurely cycling along the… the vine-framed red sandstone façades of vintner houses in the summer fig trees in the gardens and ripe chestnuts in the autumn The Pfalz region around Neustadt an der Weinstraße sits between the Haardt mountains the Palatinate Forest and the Upper Rhine Plain and has a charm all its own Some people call it the Palatinate feeling It’s a good mood born of ample sunshine and a balmy breeze from the vineyards laden with Riesling And if you raise a glass in a toast in Hambach, you will inevitably be drinking to democracy. Hambach Castle still towers high above the town The ‘cradle of German democracy’ really made its mark on political history on 27 June 1832 students and winemakers marched up to the castle from the marketplace in Neustadt A procession of more than 20,000 people wove its way up towards the ruins of what was once a knights’ castle on the Kastanienberg The protests continued for six days and the castle became the stronghold of the struggle for democracy in Germany because the Bavarian government had banned the political demonstration announced by publicists Johann Georg August and Philipp Jakob Siebenpfeiffer Hambach Castle near Neustadt an der Weinstraße in the Palatinate The patriotic procession also passed the Naegele estate in the Schlossgasse The wine estate founded by Georg Naegele in 1796 is still a family tradition today There is a complex of baroque buildings making up the Oberzehntkeller belonging to the former prince-bishops of Hambach and the inner courtyard and state rooms are the highlights If you take the 37 acres of vineyards and add the select grapes delivered by friendly estates to the castle winery every year Enjoy the view from the flag tower of Hambach Castle in Neustadt an der Weinstraße surrounded by vineyards near Neustadt an der Weinstraße The Hambach Castle winery is based in what was the Lichtenberger estate house where King Ludwig I of Bavaria celebrated the birthday of his wife The estate house was also built in the same style as the Bavarian king’s Villa Ludwigshöhe The winemakers bought it in 1902 for 20,000 gold marks but it was loaned to them by the local pastor the castle winery is the smallest independent winemaking cooperative in the Palatinate and the oldest in Germany It markets around 60 premium wines and sparkling wines produced from Burgundy and red wine grapes one particularly special Dornfelder dry red wine is known as ‘Cuvée Siebenpfeiffer’ it has a wealth of berry and sour cherry on the nose and fine vanilla notes but is still delicate and playful with a really long finish the Palatinate gifted the building to Bavarian Crown Prince Maximilian whose ambitious plans to build a reproduction of Hohenschwangau Castle were not destined to succeed the former ruins were rebuilt and are now brightly lit up at night and visible all the way down in the Upper Rhine Plain The castle’s links to winemaking have also been preserved and many delicious Palatinate and Hambach wines can be enjoyed in the castle restaurant Delicious wine tasting at the Winning estate Hambach Castle rises majestically above the sea of vines in the southern Palatinate a real jewel in the treasure trove that is Rhineland-Palatinate Inside the walls of the cradle of German democracy you can find out all about its exciting history and the protagonists of the Hambach Festival Enjoy a personal tour and find out the secrets of this fascinating place enjoy the wonderful views from the castle tower and experience the values that were brought to life here: freedom Taste a large variety of wines at the stylish wine bars in our wine regions Hambach Castle rises majestically above the sea of vines in the southern Palatinate you can find out all about its exciting history A convivial wine tasting with close friends or family is a great opportunity to get to know the best wines produced by individual vintners But if you really want to delve deep into the culture and the flavours of a whole wine-growing region then there is no better place to start than the wine festivals in the villages and towns of Rhineland‑Palatinate Although even the smallest of places take to the streets squares and alleyways every year to celebrate the grape harvest there are a few communities who prefer to think a little bigger put on magnificent processions and hire local music groups and sometimes there are even fairground rides and fireworks to showcase the local wine and We are happy to show you the best places to enjoy these Rhineland‑Palatinate event highlights between August and October We start with what is probably the largest wine festival in the world, the confusingly named Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt in the Palatinate For nine days and nights from early to mid-September the otherwise sleepy spa town on the German Wine Route puts on an impressive programme with groups in traditional costume parading through the streets alongside marching brass bands while the town’s dignitaries and regional wine royalty teem around the festival square near the graduation tower the melodious live music from the bands starts to merge with the friendly chatter and the thousands of bright lights from the market stalls there are stalls plying regional Palatinate specialities not to mention some 300 still and sparkling wines from the whole region There is bound to be a tipple or two for you to enjoy as you admire the evening’s spectacular of music and fireworks Toast with the traditional "Dubbeglas" at the Dürkheimer Wurstmarkt in Bad Dürkheim German Weinlesefest in Neustadt an der Weinstraße The festival in Bad Dürkheim is barely packing up before the next big event dedicated to the liquid gold of the Palatinate opens its doors in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse. From the end of September to the middle of October, it is time for the German Weinlesefest the w.i.n.e.FESTival and even the traditional coronation of the German Wine Queen from among the 13 candidates vying for the crown from all the wine-growing regions in Germany countless traditional and minstrel groups accompany spectacular floats and carriages through the town in the largest wine festival procession anywhere in Germany Our tip: As most of the programme takes place near the railway station Wine enjoyment at the w.i.n.e.FESTival as part of the German Weinlesefest in Neustadt an der Weinstrasse In mid-September, between the two big events in Bad Dürkheim and Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, there is time to head to the Landauer Herbstmarkt in a traditional winemaking village in the south of the Palatinate this fair is really all about the famous Palatinate hospitality All the Palatinate festivals are completely accessible so everyone can join in with the fun The roads taken up by the fair are jokingly known as ‘Fressgasse’ or ‘scoffing street’ offering original and modern interpretations of hearty Palatinate cuisine while the region’s winemakers are only too happy to ply the exquisite results of their hard labour The Südliche Weinstrasse boasts a whole host of different varieties Müller-Thurgau and Rivaner among the 71 white and 52 red grape varieties cultivated here – just the right level of diversity for a discerning palate View over the Herbstmarkt in Landau with wine village which is one of the "Palatinate festivals for everyone" Weinfest der Mittelmosel in Bernkastel-Kues It is not just in the Palatinate that they know how to celebrate grapes Wine festivals are a constant feature of the late summer on the Moselle too One example is the Weinfest der Mittelmosel in the charming wine-growing town of Bernkastel-Kues famous for its picture-postcard market square and its ancient half-timbered houses The five-day festival includes a procession It is definitely worth taking a diversion along the 300-metre wine road where winemakers from more than 20 different areas offer their Riesling wines for tasting You can soak it up with all sorts of different refined and rustic dishes while the bands and music clubs add their traditional or modern sounds to round off the mood Traditional high-altitude fireworks over Bernkastel-Kues for the Weinfest der Mittelmosel The Moselle Festival in Winningen is said to be the oldest wine-making festival in Germany and is an absolute must for wine lovers It takes place on the Moselle from the last week of August to the first week of September This pretty village full of tradition and local colour is surrounded by terraced vineyards and is the ideal spot to experience the history of the region close-up the narrow streets and open squares are flooded with visitors from all over the world enjoying a morning tipple by or even on the water listening to tales from the locals in the afternoon and partying into the night with the concerts and live music the river is lit up by magical lights as the fireworks shoot up from the hills above the water towards the skies The wine majesties of Winningen with traditional costume group at the Moselle Festival in Winningen While you can enjoy the historic ambience of the half-timbered villages along the Moselle Rhine-Hesse invites you to the Weinmarkt im Stadtpark in the lush green park at the heart of Mainz tents and stalls that are full of regional winemakers and exhibitors showcasing their wares The craft market in the charming atmosphere of the rose garden boasts handmade jewellery The walkabout wine tasting is a popular option for new arrivals at the wine market You can stroll around the park at your leisure and sample nine selected wines from winemakers at different stands There is a short programme of events including a classic car rally ensuring your time in the green of the Mainz Stadtpark is both interesting and relaxing Cozy atmosphere at the Weinmarkt im Stadtpark at Mainz Not far from the regional capital is the little town of Ingelheim, whose Rotweinfest AUSGEZEICHNET set against the historic backdrop of the floodlit mountain church is one of the loveliest wine festivals in Rhine-Hesse and perhaps even in the whole state Over nine days towards the end of September the winemakers of Ingelheim showcase the year’s best wines inside the walls of the medieval castle complex featuring varied but always catchy live music heart-stopping rides and a range of different stands allowing you to sample the local food and wines the highlight of the festival is the Lord Mayor’s Pinot wine tasting where 15 selected Pinot wines are perfectly paired with wonderful dishes and served in the festival marquee At the castle church in Ingelheim traditionally the Rotweinfest AUSGEZEICHNET The Binger Winzerfest at the intersection of the Rhine and the Nahe is another Rheinhessen-AUSGEZEICHNET event the people of Bingen celebrate the skills of their winemakers and showcase the best of the local wine estates for a whole 11 days making it the longest wine festival on the Rhine But there is an extensive programme of events to ensure time just flies by with lots of firework displays lighting up both Klopp Castle and the banks of the Nahe and a traditional procession rolling gently and elegantly through the town centre There is even a funfair promising entertainment and adventure near the Hindenburg-Anlage stalls serving Rhine-Hesse specialities on the market square and the festival wine tasting You could almost forget that it is all about the liquid gold from the grapes but the winemakers of Bingen have thought about that too and put on one of the largest open-air wine tastings in Rhine-Hesse giving you ample opportunity to discover your new favourite wine Socializing and enjoying wine at the Winzerfest in Bingen the gateway to the Upper Middle Rhine Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site the next step is to Oberwesel in the heart of the romantic river valley steep slopes and awe-inspiring rock formations At the traditional Oberweseler Weinmarkt you can stand amid the vine leaves around the historic market square with more than 150 different wines sparkling wines and spirits to choose from plus a wide range of local delicacies to enjoy But early September is not just the time for wine in Oberwesel While enjoying the treats for the taste buds on the market square you can also admire the famous Rhine in Flames over the waters of the Rhine with inspirational music seeming to ring out through the whole valley and an extravagant top-notch firework display from the hilltops above the Middle Rhine Valley rows of trees and vines are bathed in almost mystical light and this spectacular view becomes even more unforgettable with a glass of wine in your hand the Rhine in Flames event with fantastic fireworks takes place in Oberwesel Ahrweiler Weinwochen in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler A little less famous but no less popular are the Ahrweiler Weinwochen in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler which take place in the town centre in the first two weeks of September The elegant marketplace in the shadow of the imposing parish church becomes a pure paradise for the taste buds especially for those who enjoy a drop of red as the Ahr valley is the largest contiguous red wine-growing region in Germany and Ahrweiler is considered the red wine capital of the region even the wine queen here is called Burgundia in a nod to the valley’s favourite varietal You can enjoy not only the outstanding wines but also the fabulous winemakers’ procession snaking through the streets of the town centre past cafés some of them in wonderfully preserved half-timbered houses It is a lovely way to enjoy what Rhineland‑Palatinate has to offer Delicious wine tasting at the Ahrweiler Weinwochen in Bad Neuenahr-Ahrweiler Find out here in which 'Tourism for All' certified wineries and vinotheques you can taste excellent wines even with a walker