The Black Forest, quite famous for its beautiful cuckoo clocks, is a wooded mountain range located in the southwest corner of Germany in the German federal state of Baden-Württemberg. Situated on the border triangle between Germany, France and Switzerland, it extends along the Rhine River for about 100 miles. The Black Forest (in German language “Schwarzwald”) is one of the most popular tourist places in Germany and has much more to offer besides cuckoo clocks. Apart from its beautiful lakes and attractive sites, the Black Forest is well known throughout the rest of the country for its variety of cultural events and festivals.
A Year of Festivals In The Black Forest
The whole year, the Black Forest is busy celebrating festivals. There is a lot of variety ranging from culinary festivals, to flower festivals and wine and mill festivals. During summer season, Black Forest residents celebrate culinary festivals such as the “Oberkircher Erdbeerfest” (Strawberry Festival) on June 25-26 and the “Kaiserstühler Kirschenfest” (Cherry Festival) in Königsschaffhausen from May 24-27. Enzklösterle, a village in the northern part of the Black Forest, is famous for its wild blueberries – also known as “blue gold”. Here, the locals celebrate a traditional “Blueberry Festival” on the July 20-21. The “Bühler Zwetschgenfest” (Plum Festival) celebrated in Bühl from September 6-9, is also dedicated to the sweet, blue regional fruit.
From October 10th to November 11th, the city of Lahr turns into a marvelous colorful sea of flowers composed of glowing chrysanthemums on the occasion of the “Chrysanthema” festival.
Black Forest Wine Festivals
The Black Forest region is famous for its wines and the best Baden wines come from the western edge of the Black Forest. It is wonderful to visit one of the many “Winzerhocks” (wine-grower’s festivals) and wine festivals. There are many wine festivals but the most important among these are the “Freiburger Weinfest” (Wine Festival) from the July 4-9, the “Markgräfler Weinfest” (Wine Festival) in Staufen from August 2-5, the “Breisgauer Weinfest” (Wine Festival) in Emmendingen from the August 16-19, the “Weinfest Kaiserstuhl-Tuniberg” (Wine Festival) in Breisach from the August 30th to September 2nd and the “Ortenauer Weinfest” in Offenburg on September 28-29. At the north-eastern edge of the Black Forest, Pforzheim is going to celebrate its traditional wine festival “Oechslefest” from August 23rd to September 8th with wines from Baden and Württemberg.
Yet another festival to be celebrated in the Black Forest on May 20th is The “Deutsche Mühlentag” (German Mills‘ Day). This is a traditional event and theme day dedicated to the mills and milling industry in Germany. In the northern part of the Black Forest, a particularly large number of these picturesque structures form an integral part of the landscape. So, a highly traditional milling festival is celebrated at and around the “Mühlendorf Ottenhöfen”.
The “Heimattage Baden-Württemberg” is one of the most important festivals over the course of the year. Every year, a special emphasis is placed on a different region. Here you can get a detailed knowledge of the customs and culture of the model region in south-western Germany. In 2013, this festival will be organized by the “Neckar-Erlebnis-Tal” (Neckar Event Valley), which is located at the north-eastern edge of the Black Forest. The traditional “Baden-Württemberg-Day”, scheduled on 5th May 4-5, as well as the “Landesfesttage” (Federal State Festival) scheduled on September 6-8 are other highlights in 2013.
Our many Rhine River Cruise as well as Neckar River Cruise itineraries offer excursions into Germany’s Black Forest. So book your holiday on one of these and visit this wonderful place and its unique festivals!