Wäldchestag

The history of Wäldchestag cannot be clearly established. In the absence of documentary evidence, two variants of its origin are considered possible.

Traditionally, the craftsmen organised their large, festive processions at Whitsun, and numerous craftsmen's festivals were not least due to the fact that the administrative year in the free imperial city was counted from 1 May to 30 April until 1729. The new administrative year thus marked the beginning of the term of office of the guild leaders, which was also a reason for extended celebrations and merriment.

The beginning of the third Whitsun holiday can possibly also be seen in the custom of driving the cattle out to pasture for the first time after Whitsun, with servants and maids going out with them to feast on "food and drink". Frankfurt street names such as "Pfingstweide", which were mentioned as early as 1300, still bear witness to this old Whitsun tradition today.

Even though few people in an international city like Frankfurt still get the traditional day off on Wäldchestag, a visit to the city forest on Whitsun weekend and especially on Tuesday - Wäldchestag - is a must for most Frankfurters. Those who don't get time off at their international company simply meet up with their colleagues for an after-work forest party in the beer garden or simply enjoy a cool glass of wine under the treetops at the weekend.