Rheingau’s zest for life, exceptional Riesling, time with friends, a break from the daily grind! Under the motto “With Riesling to the Scharfenstein,” you can stroll through the vineyards at the Kiedricher Weinsteig on the first weekend in April and enjoy Kiedrich’s fine wines at a total of nine wine stands. Refreshments will also be available at every stop. The event kicks off on Saturday, April 3, at 1 p.m.

Regional wines, regional cuisine, regional specialties—that’s what you can look forward to during the Rheingau Gourmet Weeks. Around 100 winemakers, wine taverns, and restaurants will treat you to the best the Rheingau has to offer. Visit wineries, wine cellars, wine taverns, and estate taverns, and taste your way through the current vintage. Chat with winemakers, join wine walks, and enjoy the festive atmosphere with live music!

During the opening weekend on May 1 and 2, the "May Festival for Everyone" will transform the area in front of the State Theater into a hub for socializing and the arts. The program—free and mostly outdoors—features excerpts from the productions and promises to be a feast for all the senses. For example, the opening opera “Tristan und Isolde” will be streamed live on May 1 and shown on an open-air screen in a picnic-like atmosphere. On May 2, starting at 2 p.m., the family festival awaits you with sing-along opera, workshops, and excerpts from the performances. At the end, around 8 p.m., the giant giraffes of the Compagnie OFF will parade through the streets, led by a singing diva. 

"Celebrate Life" is the theme of the annual Sparkling Wine Day at Henkell Freixenet, where guests gather in the courtyard of Henkell Castle to celebrate with live music and, of course, plenty of sparkling wine. You can take a look behind the scenes on a cellar tour that starts in the Marble Hall and descends seven floors to where the gigantic barrels are stored. The festivities run from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., and admission is free.

From May 13 to 17, the Kranzplatzfest—Wiesbaden’s music festival—will be celebrated around the Kochbrunnen with five days of live music on two stages, a flea market, and great food. The festival kicks off on Wednesday at 5 p.m. At 8 p.m., you can look forward to seeing the “Urban Club Band” on the main stage.

Once a year, Wiesbaden’s “Rue”—Wilhelmstraße—is transformed into a festival hub for three days: At the Wilhelmstraße Festival, thousands of visitors gather between the Kurhaus, Bowling Green, and Taunusstraße to celebrate a festival filled with music, joie de vivre, and enjoyment. Regional and international artists provide top-notch entertainment on multiple stages. Street performers, arts and crafts, culinary delights, and a stylish atmosphere make the festival a unique experience.

When summer really gets going, it’s time for the Sparkling Wine Festival again! Between the banks of the Rhine, the rose garden, and the historic backdrop of the Electoral Castle, Eltville comes alive with summer cheer as people raise their glasses, laugh, and celebrate. From the Sebastian Tower all the way down to the castle, stand after stand lines the streets, and by the time the mayor reaches for the magnum and the first cork flies through the air with a loud pop, one thing is clear: Let the party begin! By the way: Saturday is Biedermeier Festival! That’s when the local Biedermeier Association will showcase their beautiful costumes, and you can take a trip back in time. 

Every August, Wiesbaden’s city center is transformed into the “world’s longest wine bar” for ten days: During Rheingau Wine Week, over 100 booths and more than 1,000 wines and sparkling wines invite visitors to enjoy and celebrate around the Marktkirche, Schlossplatz, and Dern’sches Gelände. Five stages feature the finest live and lounge music.

At the Mill Festival on Sunday, August 30, starting at 11 a.m., you can stroll along the Elsterbach stream (Winkel, Johannisberg, Marienthal) and enjoy a wonderful program of music and food. Seven mills will open their doors—including the Krayers Mill (opens in a new tab), the Ankermühle (opens in a new tab), and the Schamari Mill (opens in a new tab).