Group of young adults at festival ()
You may have thought you were done with fests after Oktoberfest and you could take a breather until the Christmas markets kick off, but you are in for a treat in a way that only Germany can deliver! Get yourself to at least one of these fun events.
Where is the best place to see pumpkins? The Ludwigsburg Pumpkin Festival! Open through Dec. 4, it shows off imaginative pumpkin sculptures, food and fun, all in a family-friendly environment on palace grounds.
The amusement rides, parade, massive food tents and beer gardens and family friendly areas all make it clear that the Cannstatter Volksfest in Stuttgart from Sept. 23 to Oct. 9 is the place to be on a fall day or evening.
Fill your glass through Oct. 10 at Germany’s Neustadt an der Weinstraße in cool fall weather. A parade presided by the Palatinate Wine Queen, live music and dining in the mirror palace checks a bucket list box that no place else could.
Visit a 900-year-old traditional fair, such as Bavaria’s St. Michael´s Fair from Oct. 1 to 12 in Fürth. Grab a glass of eierpunsch or glühwein and browse the market or spin around on the many rides as the sunset brightens the many lights around you.
If you have not lived a day wearing onion-themed attire, what are you doing? Weimar hosts their nationally famed annual Onion Market from Oct. 7 to 9, so if onion quiches, cakes and a carnival paired with apple wine sound intriguing, enjoy the atmosphere here.
In celebration of a successful grazing season, an “Almabtrieb” or cattle drive is led by florally bedecked happy cows in a procession of townsfolk down from the pastures. For a chance to see the Alpine tradition in action, visit Baden-Wurrtemberg’s towns of Oberried on Oct. 8 or in Peterzell (Alpirsbach) on Oct. 30.
Kaiserslautern’s Lautrer Kerwe Oktobermarkt will extend you a hearty welcome at the Messeplatz from Oct. 14 to 24 with days of food and drinks, rides whizzing around all topped with fireworks and music.
Watch the performative clashing of swords and shields at a medieval festival, such as the Fall Festival and Great Battle at Histotainment Park Adventon near Osterburken. Oct. 15 and 16, live craftwork and market stalls will showcase items and skillsets.
If you are looking for something a touch creepier to fill out your October, visit Burg Frankenstein near Darmstadt from Oct. 21 to Nov. 6. There are family friendly times and areas available too, so everyone can don their ghoulish best.
