Speyer Bretzelfest (Stacy Roman)
Every July, the city of Speyer is transformed into a love letter to the humble Bretzel. Raucous floats rumble along the cobblestone streets to the soundtrack of live brass oompah bands. However, it isn’t your usual sit-back-and-watch-demurely kind of parade. After all, what kind of Brezelfest would it be if giant pretzels weren’t thrown from the floats?
This festival is dedicated to the unofficial German national food, the pretzel. There are plenty of flying pretzels and enough produce thrown from parade floats to make a small side salad. However, I don’t recommend eating the thrown pretzels. They make better weapons than food. Instead, hit one of the local pop-up Brezel stands. Most offer a variety of hot, fresh, doughy goodness. My favorite was the Käsebrezel, or cheese pretzel, which was as big as my head. If you need a good brew to wash it down, Eichbaum is an excellent choice.
Pretzel’s as big as your head at the Speyer Bretzelfest (Stacy Roman)
Although Speyer is an easy day trip from Wiesbaden and Kaiserslautern, take your time and enjoy this enchanting city with a weekend stay. Hotel Domhof is a charming hotel in the heart of the Altstadt near the Speyer Cathedral. The accommodations are quite comfortable and feature air conditioning, a plus in the stifling July heat. However, the proximity to the cathedral equates to loud bells ringing all day and night.
Hotel Speyer am Technik Museum is a wonderful, family-friendly choice. Located on the museum grounds, visitors can book a package deal that includes tickets to the nearby museum and SEA LIFE Speyer.
Fun at the Speyer Bretzelfest (Stacy Roman)
After being stationed in Louisiana, Mardi Gras ruined us. That multi-week affair consisted of overindulgence in king cake and gumbo, extravagant balls hosted by local Krewes, and a parade filled with fabulous floats, marching bands, and an impressive haul of plastic beads and foam toys. It wasn’t until we moved to Germany five years later that our faith in parades and festivals was renewed when, needing a break from unpacking our sea of cardboard boxes, we made our way to Brezelfest in Speyer.
There is so much to love about Speyer and Brezelfest! Constructed in the 11th century, the Speyer Cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is the final resting place of former German emperors. The nearby Technik Museum pays homage to the technical marvels of the past century. Visitors can walk through the Boeing 747 aircraft precariously perched above the museum and slide back down to the ground. For budding marine biologists, take a visit to SEA LIFE Speyer. This aquarium features a vast array of coral from around the globe and an exhibit dedicated to aquatic life in the North Sea.
However, the Brezelfest funfair and parade are the true highlights. The parade typically begins later in the afternoon, leaving plenty of time for rides, games and delicious German fair food! Once you’ve had your fill, stake your spot along the parade route in the Altstadt and prepare to be peppered with pretzels!
In 2024, the Speyer Brezelfest takes place July 11-16. For more information, visit www.speyerer-brezelfest.de.
Plenty of pretzels at the Speyer Bretzelfest (Stacy Roman)
