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Wine festival on the Moselle in Bernkastel again from September 3 to 7, 2026.
In the town of Bernkastel-Kues, the 5 days around the first Sunday in September are something very special every year. This is when one of the most beautiful wine festivals on the Moselle takes place - the Middle Moselle Wine Festival.
The highlights of the five-day wine festival include the coronation of the Mosella, the delightful wine route, the lively carnival, the colorful fireworks and the traditional wine festival parade with countless floats and foot groups. An extensive supporting program with Moselblümchen-meets-Winzerkittel evening, live music and wine tasting evening round off the whole event.
The wine festival in Bernkastel-Kues is a firm favorite for wine connoisseurs from all over the world. Countless visitors come to the Moselle town over the five days of the wine festival, making it one of the largest wine festivals on the entire Moselle.
5
wine-filled days
25
Wine Stands
3
Music stages and 6 music venues
Moselle flower meets winegrower's smock
At the Middle Moselle Wine Festival, the motto is: Women wear Moselle flowers and men dress appropriately in winegrowers' smocks! And all those who appear on the market square in Bernkastel on Thursday evening at 6:30 p.m. in this Moselle costume will receive a gift and a participation ticket for the later raffle! Countless Moselle flowers and winegrowers' costumes will then cavort on the market square, creating a fantastic picture against the backdrop of half-timbered houses. You shouldn't miss out on this.
Wine hike at the wine festival
Experience Moselle wine - with a view, insight and enjoyment.
For the first time as part of the Middle Moselle Wine Festival, a special guided wine hike will take place on September 4 and 5, 2026 at 2:00 pm. The starting point is the Graacher Tor in Bernkastel. From there, the trail leads along a shortened but scenic variant of the "Lizard loves Riesling" themed trail. The route not only offers magnificent views of the Moselle landscape, but also exciting insights into the world of Moselle wine, steep-slope viticulture and the traditional work of winegrowers.
The highlight at the end: two glasses of the legendary Bernkasteler Doctor wine - a real piece of Moselle tradition to enjoy!
👉 Places are limited - book now and experience wine culture up close!
Reception of the Mosella
From 8 p.m., the Friday of the wine festival has always been dominated by the Mosella, the wine queen of the town of Bernkastel-Kues. The historic market square in Bernkastel is then filled with hundreds of spectators when the Mosella arrives with her two princesses on a magnificent carriage. The town's associations, such as the Bernkasteler Bürgerwehr, the Landshut Knights, the medieval group and the music association, traditionally provide the appropriate musical backdrop. In addition, there are over 20 wine queens from numerous Moselle communities with twice as many wine princesses, who walk down the red carpet to the stage. The Bernkasteler Doctor, the cellar master of the Knight of Hunolstein and the herald with his companions, who will announce the wine festival message, will also be there.
Crowned at the 2025 Wine Festival, Mosella Luna I will represent the town, the region and the wine at many public appearances until 2027. Her aim is to inspire wine lovers from other villages and towns to visit Bernkastel-Kues. She will be supported by her wine princesses Mia and Cora.
Would you like a signed autograph card of the Mosella? You can easily order one from our brochure mailing service.
Spectacular fireworks
The fireworks display on Saturday evening at 9 pm is the highlight of the wine festival, captivating young and old alike. For almost half an hour, bright colors, sparkling rain and impressive plays of light illuminate the dark night sky. Find a nice spot on the banks of the Moselle and watch the colorful spectacle in the night sky. Ideally with a glass of delicious Moselle wine in your hand.
New this year: "Sparkling & Snack" — a sparkling wine breakfast on the Wine Route
A Morning Treat, Right in the Heart of the Wine Route.
At this year’s Middle Moselle Wine Festival, a new highlight awaits you—the sparkling wine breakfast on the Wine Route. Between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., five wine stands and three food stands invite you to leisurely make your way from stop to stop and discover the diversity of the Middle Moselle in a relaxed atmosphere.
To make it easy for you to enjoy everything on offer, all guests will receive a“Sparkling Wine Delight Pass.” At each participating wine stand , guests will receive one glass of sparkling wine, and at each participating food stand, a breakfast snack. Redeeming these is easy—just present your pass to get it stamped at each stand. This turns breakfast into a delightful stroll that lets you experience both the wine and food stands in equal measure.
👉 Spots are limited—book now and enjoy the experience!
Traditional parade
With countless groups from Germany and abroad, the parade winds its way through the old town, over the Moselle bridge to Kues from 2 pm on Sunday afternoon. The wine majesties from over 20 Moselle communities will also be there with their unique floats. Music societies and various foot groups such as Winzerkittel, Winzer anno dazumal and Moselblümchen complete the great parade. Find a spot along the route of the procession and watch the colorful hustle and bustle. Or if you would like to find out more about the individual communities with their floats and groups, listen to the presenters in Römerstraße, on the market square or on the bridgehead.
experience 300 meters of pleasure on the wine route
The 300-metre-long wine route is the heart of the Middle Moselle Wine Festival. Numerous villages along the Moselle present their high-quality range of Riesling and other types of wine here over five days. Stroll from wine stall to wine stall in the various villages and enjoy the finest Moselle wines. The many food stalls also tempt you with their fragrant savory and sweet dishes. Tarte flambée, hearty grilled dishes, vegetable dishes, potato pancakes. There is something for every taste. But there is not only pleasure for the palate, but also for the ears on and along the wine route. Numerous music clubs and bands provide atmospheric music. So enjoy a few convivial hours with fine wine, delicious food and rousing music on the wine route and immerse yourself in the unforgettable atmosphere of the wine festival.
To kick off the wine festival on Thursday, the wine tasting evening takes place on the wine route from 5 pm. The wines at the wine stands can then be sampled in slightly smaller quantities (5 cl), allowing you to try a wide variety of wines in all their diversity.
Thrilling music acts on three stages and five music venues
For five days, every evening, atmospheric music acts on the three main stages ensure exuberance, dancing and simply a good mood. But there are not only top musical performances in the evenings. A wide variety of bands and music clubs also play throughout the day on the stages or music squares.
The program over the five days could not be more varied. From pop hits and brass band music to rock, pop and funk. So let yourself go, dance or sing along to the evergreens of yesterday and the hits of tomorrow.
Action at the Fair—Homemade Goods at the Market
The fairgrounds and market on the banks of the Moselle in Kues traditionally serve as a counterpart to the Wine Route on the opposite bank of the river.
For the adventurous, there’s thrills and excitement on a variety of rides—including major highlights like Break Dance, Auto Scooter, Avengers Royal (a high-rise ride), and Marvel Station (a windmill ride). Younger guests will also have a blast: with a children’s carousel, children’s chain swing ride, children’s Ferris wheel, and duck fishing, fun and excitement are guaranteed. Of course, there are also plenty of options for those who prefer to take it easy.
Delicious treats await at numerous food stands—from crêpes and churros to pizza, grilled meats, and fresh vegetables.
While some enjoy the excitement and fun at the amusement park, others can explore the adjacent market to discover all kinds of handmade goods at numerous stalls—a lovely alternative to the hustle and bustle. Look forward to a wide variety of offerings: jewelry, home decor, household goods, delicacies, sewn items, felted goods, woodwork, pillows, plaster figurines, and much more.
Car parking spaces:
- old town parking garage "Forum Alter Bahnhof" (on all days)
Additional parking spaces (7€) from Friday to Sunday:
- Large parking lot on the Kueser Werth
Additional parking spaces (7€) on Saturday & Sunday:
- Moselufer Kues behind miniature golf course
- School center (direction Wehlen)
- Sparkasse Mittelmosel (Cusanusstraße)
- Lidl (Saturday after closing time and Sunday from 10 am)
- Aldi (Saturday after closing time and Sunday from 10 am)
- Rossmann (Saturday after closing time and Sunday from 10 am)
Motorcycle parking spaces (4€)
- can park in the additional car parking spaces mentioned above
Bus parking spaces
- Below the municipal administration (on all days)
- Kueser Werth (12€) (Friday to Sunday)
- School center in the direction of Wehlen (12€) (Saturday and Sunday)
Caravan parking spaces (10€)
- Kueser Werth (Friday to Sunday)
- School center (direction Wehlen) (Saturday to Sunday)
Kiss + Ride zones
The two signposted Kiss & Ride zones can be used for short-term loading and unloading. If you are being taken to the wine festival, you can get off here - a quick kiss and then you can continue your journey - just Kiss & Ride.
- Kiss + Ride Zone 1: Entrance to the Moselle parking lot coming from Graach (with turning possibility!)
- Kiss + Ride Zone 2: Riverside area below the municipality
Bus - Shuttle
Between Kues harbor and Kues goods hall.
Between Kues school center and Kues goods hall.
Free of charge
Every 15 to 20 minutes.
Saturday: from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m. and from 10 p.m. to 2 a.m
Sunday: from 4:30 p.m. to 8 p.m
Ship - Shuttle
Between the Kueser Hafen landing stage and the jetty below the “Verbandsgemeinde”
Saturday: from 4 p.m. to 10 p.m., 9.45 p.m. to 11p.m.
Sunday: from 12 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Cab rides to the wine festival
- Cab rank 1: below the "Alter Moselbahnhof" train station (Bernkastel)
- Cab rank 2: below the association municipality (Bernkastel)
- Cab rank 3: below the association municipality (Kues)
There are staffed cab ranks at these locations to assist you with your journey.
This is the only place where cabs will stop for boarding during the wine festival!
Public transport - by bus to the wine festival
All regular trips of the Trier Region Transport Association (VRT) are offered for the Middle Moselle Wine Festival. You can view these at www.vrt-info.de/fahrplanauskunft-bks or in the "VRT mobil" app.
In addition to the regular trips, there will also be shorter intervals and later special trips during the wine festival.
| Places served | Timetable Line Download |
|---|---|
| Neumagen-Dhron, Piesport, Minheim, Wintrich, Filzen, Brauneberg, Mülheim, Andel, Bernkastel-Kues | Download timetable 330 |
| Veldenz, Burgen, Brauneberg, Mülheim, Lieser, Kesten, Minheim, Piesport, Neumagen-Dhron | Download timetable 332 |
| Veldenz, Mülheim, Andel, Bernkastel-Kues | Download timetable 335 |
| Traben-Trarbach, Wolf, Kröv, Kinheim, Lösnich, Erden, Zeltingen-Rachtig, Wehlen, Graach, Bernkastel-Kues | Download timetable 360 |
| Kröv, Kinheim, Ürzig, Kindel, Lösnich, Erden, Zeltingen-Rachtig, Graach, Wehlen, Bernkastel-Kues | Download timetable 361 |
| Kues, Plateau Bernkastel-Kues | Download timetable 362 |
Saturday:
- from 4 pm the entrance to the city is closed
- from 6 pm to 5 am (the following day) the bridge is closed to vehicles
- from 2 p.m. to 5 a.m. (the following day) it is not possible to drive through the bollards, even for authorized persons
- The castle and Schützenhaus are not accessible all day due to the fireworks. All paths from the former youth hostel towards the Schützenhaus and towards Schlossweg/St. Anna Kapelle are closed - including the vineyard steps. Only the waterfall path will be freely accessible. From Monzelfeld, take the Burg-Olymp Tour to the former youth hostel. The family circular route then leads over the waterfall into the town.
Sunday
- from 12 noon the entrance to the city is closed
- from 12 noon to 5 pm, the Moselle bridge is closed to vehicles of all kinds
- from 12 noon to 5 a.m. (the following day) it is not possible to pass through the bollards, even for authorized persons
Rescue routes and fire department access routes must be kept clear at all times and everywhere without exception! It is not permitted to park on the service and vineyard roads - these roads are intended exclusively for the emergency services. Parking for unauthorized persons is not permitted in restricted areas and special permit areas. Violations will be registered and punished by the local public order office. During the wine festival, checks will be carried out and illegally parked cars will be towed away. The costs are borne by the vehicle owner.
Where is the “Lost and Found Office for Children”?
For parents who have “lost sight of” their children during the wine festival, the Malteser first-aid station in the Güterhalle in Kues is the central contact point.
Where can I get emergency wristbands for children?
At the Wine Festival, parents can equip their children with self-adhesive wristbands for safety, on which they can write their phone number and name. The wristbands are available free of charge at the fairgrounds near the Breakdancer ride, at the Malteser first-aid station, and during business hours at the Mosel Guest Center.
Where is the first-aid station?
The Malteser first-aid station is located in the Güterhalle in Kues.
Are bicycles allowed on the Wine Route?
For safety reasons, bicycles are not permitted on the Wine Route.
Are dogs allowed at the wine festival?
Due to the large crowds and loud noises (fireworks, music, etc.), we ask that you refrain from bringing your dogs to the wine festival for their own sake.
Wine route opening hours
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Thursday, September 3th | from 5 p.m |
| Friday, September 4 | from 12 p.m. |
| Saturday, September 5 | from 11 a.m |
| Sunday, September 6 | from 11 a.m |
| Monday, September 7 | from 12 p.m. |
Opening hours carnival and market
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Friday, September 4 | from 2 pm |
| Saturday, September 5 | from 1 pm |
| Sunday, September 6 | from 11 a.m |
| Monday, September 7 | from 1 pm |
| Tuesday, September 8 | from 1 pm |
Opening hours Tourist Information
| Day | Time |
|---|---|
| Thursday, September 3 | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m |
| Friday, September 4 | 9 a.m. - 5 p.m |
| Saturday, September 5 | 10 a.m. - 3 p.m |
| Sunday, September 6 | 10 a.m. - 2 p.m |
| Monday, September 7 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m |
| Tuesday, September 8 | 9 a.m. - 4 p.m |
