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© #visitfrankfurt, Holger Ullmann

Wäldchestag 

Frankfurt Forest Festival 
22.05. – 26.05.2026

🐝 Back to the roots! Programme FAQ

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A unique tradition

Frankfurt's unofficial national holiday

When Frankfurt's city forest fills up over the long Whitsun weekend, one of the city's favourite traditions begins: Wäldchestag. Generations come together among the trees, fairground rides and music.

‘Wäldchestag is our city's national holiday and has a long tradition. Frankfurters visit the city forest during the long Whitsun weekend and enjoy a festival for the whole family in a unique atmosphere,’ says Mike Josef (Mayor of Frankfurt am Main).

The exact origin is not entirely clear. Usually, on the Tuesday after Pentecost, many residents were granted an additional holiday to visit the festival grounds in the city forest. Even though only a few companies still observe the free Tuesday today, more and more Frankfurters are rediscovering the tradition – and making their way to the city forest together. Come with us back to the roots and rediscover the history of the festival on one of our tours!

frankfurt.feiert.feste

Opening hours

Friday: 5:00 pm – 01:00 am
Saturday and Sunday: 12:00 pm – 01:00 am
Monday and Tuesday: 12:00 pm – 12:00 am

 

Address

Stadtwald (urban forest)
Am Oberforsthaus
60528 Frankfurt am Main

Anreise mit Google Maps
  • A glowing chain carousel at Frankfurt's Wäldchestag. People float in the air against a blue sky and green trees.
    © #visitfrankfurt, Holger Ullmann
  • Many different attractions with people in the forest
    © #visitfrankfurt, Holger Ullmann
  • People at a festival in the forest with colorful stalls and trees.
    © #visitfrankfurt, Holger Ullmann
  • Chain carousel with happy people and in the background the forest and stalls
    © #visitfrankfurt, Holger Ullmann
  • Wäldchestag visitors stroll through the festival, look at the rides and enjoy themselves
    © #visitfrankfurt, Holger Ullmann
  • Visitors stroll through the forest and visit the various attractions
    © #visitfrankfurt, Holger Ullmann
  • Children stand at a can throwing stand and look at the prizes.
    © #visitfrankfurt, Holger Ullmann
  • Guests sit on beer tent sets at a catering stand at Wäldchestag
    © #visitfrankfurt, Holger Ullmann
  • Guests sit on beer tent sets at a catering stand at Wäldchestag
    © #visitfrankfurt, Holger Ullmann
  • Guests sit on beer tent sets at a catering stand at Wäldchestag
    © #visitfrankfurt, Holger Ullmann

How it all started

The history 
of the Wäldchestag

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

Traditionally, the craftsmen of Frankfurt held their large, festive processions at Whitsun, and numerous craftsmen's festivals were held during spring, mostly, it is believed, due to the fact that the administrative year in the free imperial city ran from 01 May to 30 April, a fact that was not changed until 1729. The term of office of the guild leaders began with the new administrative year, which was also a reason for extended celebrations and merriment.

It is possible that the beginning of the third Whitsun holiday may also be validated by the custom of driving the cattle out to pasture for the first time after Whitsun, with farmhands and maids going out with them to feast on "food and drink". Frankfurt street names such as "Pfingstweide" (Whitsun Meadow), which were mentioned as early as 1300, still bear witness to this old Whitsun tradition today.

Even if nowadays only a few people get the day off on Wäldchestag in a metropolis like Frankfurt, as would have been the old tradition, a visit to the city forest on the Whitsun weekend and especially on Tuesday - Wäldchestag - is obligatory for most Frankfurt locals. Those who aren;t granted time off from their company simply meet up with their colleagues for an after-work forest party in one of the festival's beer gardens or enjoy a cool glass of wine in the shade of the trees at the weekend.

Back to the roots!

Back to the forest! Back to the community!

Back to the forest! Back to the community! It used to be a matter of course: offices and shops closed at midday on Whit Tuesday. Then it was time to get out of the city and into the countryside! Colleagues, friends and families met up in the city forest to celebrate, feast and enjoy life together. It was a lively sign of togetherness and joy - in the middle of nature.

In recent years, this special tradition has been somewhat forgotten. But now we are opening the next chapter: With our ‘Back to the roots’ campaign, we are calling on all Frankfurters to rekindle the old love for Wäldchestag!

We invite you: Leave everyday life behind you and celebrate a real piece of Frankfurt with us. Whether it's a cosy get-together with Ebbelwei and Worscht in the summer garden or a spontaneous after-work party under the trees - the city forest is waiting for you.

 

© #visitfrankfurt, Holger Ullmann

Programme

Information about the programme will follow in good time before the start of the festival.

FAQs 

Frequently asked questions about the Wäldchestag

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