Neustadt an der Weinstrasse, one of the principal cities along the German Wine Road, lies about midway between Kaiserslautern and Mannheim. Through Monday, the city celebrates the year’s grape harvest with a variety of high-profile events.
• Through Monday, the city’s Hetzelplatz hosts the German Wine and Sekt Meet. Fest-goers can sample wines from each of the German wine-producing regions, feast on local cuisine and enjoy the sounds of jazz and other styles of live music. Celebrations run late into the evening and close Monday with fireworks at 9:30 p.m.
• Running parallel is the city’s Jahrmarkt, a fun fair with all the requisite rides and attractions set up in front of the city’s main train station.
• The Vintner’s Parade is a highlight and starts at Landauerstrasse on Sunday at 2 p.m. More than 100 floats, marching bands and costumed performing groups take part in the country’s largest parade of its kind. Stands along the parade route ensure no reveler goes hungry or thirsty. Events are within just a few minutes’ walk from the city’s main train station.
• As part of the wine harvest festival, Neustadt is also where the German wine queen is selected. On Sept. 29, Julia Bertram, representing the Ahr growing region, received the crown at Neustadt’s Saalbau. She will be busy throughout the year traveling to wine-related events throughout the country and abroad to promote German wines.
Learn more about how Neustadt celebrates harvest season at www.neustadt.eu/Wein-Tourismus. An English option is available.
