Fall Festivals---Germany, Austria, Northern Italy

Here's two that are well known in Europe, but much less so in the US: Stuttgart's Cannstatter Volksfest. I heard this was similar to Oktoberfest before the frat boys took over. I visited last year, and indeed, it was fun but not overly rowdy. Better atmosphere for families. Bad Dürkheim's Wurstmarkt: Despite the name, wine is the main attraction here. Many towns in the area where I live have their own Weinfest at some time of the year. I wouldn't say any of them are worth scheduling a trip around, but they're enjoyable if you happen to be in the neighborhood. Hessentag is a weeklong event that celebrates the heritage of this region. The exact dates vary, and a different town hosts it each year. Wetzlar (near Marburg) had the honor of hosting this year. I really enjoyed it. This is usually in the spring, however. And then, there's Mannheim's... umm... yearly fall event of note. I have not attended but I see the signs posted every year. For those interested in this sort of thing, the Erotik Messe usually occurs on either the 3rd or 4th weekend of September every year.

Wien Wein Wandertag (Vienna Wine hiking day) is the last weekend of this month. There is a marked trail running through the vineyards and the vintners set up food and wine booths along the way. Some have local musicians playing as well. I always go for the hike, but rarely make it very far! :-) http://www.wien.info/en/shopping-wining-dining/wine/wine-trail

There are wine and harvest festivals happening all over Germany between August and October. Coming up right now are Federweisse Festivals, celebrating the new wine that is still "working". Held locally, and for just a short amount of time, as the wine can't be shipped. Have some onion tart with it. A large Harvest Fest is happening in downtown Frankfurt right now, which is kind of cool, having the many animals and tractors in the middle of the skyscrapers. Lots of farms surrounding the city, selling their wonderful, home made products. My favorite Festival, is the Museums Riverbank Festival in Frankfurt, held the last weekend of Aug. This is the largest cultural fest in Europe, usually attracting about 3 million people over the weekend. I use this website to find festivals for each State in Germany. Though it is in German, it is fairly easy to use. http://www.weinfeste-in-deutschland.de/ Weinfeste = Wine Festivals Dorffeste = Village Festivals Weihnachtsmarkte = Christmas Markets Volksfeste = Folk Festivals Ostern = Easter / Spring Festivals Jahrmarkte = Year Markets, which are traditional markets that trace their roots back to medieval markets. Stadtfeste = City Festivals Kirmes = Carnival type festivals that include having rides

Great! this is a good start. I guess I need to post in to the boot too as I'm looking for Italy festivals too.

Stuttgart also has it's "Wiendorf" - Wine Village, which is a huge wine festival supposedly the largest in Germany, although I also heard Bad Durkheim's was, so who knows? In France (not on your list, but you know) November is of course the time for Beaujolais wine. I'd love to do that some time!

I'm not sure if they still have Bonnfest (I never hear anything about it) but it was great - similar to Oktoberfest but better in a few important ways. It was a local event, so not as insanely crowded. One giant tent rather than a bunch of big tents - no worrying about getting to the "right" tent. The Giant tent had two stages, one an oompah band and the other a rock band, that took turns - so no break in the music. You didn't have to sit down to order a beer, you could go pick one up at the bar and stand around if you like. Less rules to control the crowd - so more fun but also a better behaved crowd (less hard core drunkenness). It also was open all night (we left at 4 am and it was still going strong) unlike Oktoberfest which is completely empty by 10:30.

There are hot air balloon festivals in September and October in various places (changes year to year). Just search-engine "hot air balloon festival, Europe" (or any country), and you may be surprised at how many you find. One I enjoyed was the Ferrara Balloon Festival in Ferrara, Italy....

Lola,
I think someone beat you to it, however, thanks again to our military. Here is the link. It is a webpage for our soldiers and sailers to help them enjoy off duty time in Europe. http://www.buzzoffbase.com/component/eventlist/categoryevents/8-fall-festivals-guide-military-in-germany.html

Federweisser Fest in Frankfurt on the Liebfrauenberg from 3-13 Oct. Jazz Fest on the Römer in Frankfurt on 3 Oct. for Unification Day.

One of the better winefests is the Mosel Winefest in Bernkastel Kues. It is held in September, more a regional winefest than just local area, so it is good sized, lots of wineries, food, parade, crafts, a really great day.

Hi Lola There is a wine festival "festa dell uva" in bardolino on lake garda, usually first week of October. It was fabulous, eat drink and enjoy!!! Went on a sunday, with fireworks over lake as finale. Booked hotel nettuno months in advance. Walk right outside hotel, paid 10 euros (??) for a wine glass holder around neck and strolled all day, food and wine booths, restaurants, booths selling things. Bring plenty of small denominations of cash (euros). there is an atm more in town. lots of people watching, music. BTW the wine is from the bardolino area. Next morning took a short ride to see part of lake, but our time was limited since we drove back to venice. You will have a great time if interested.
Princess Pupule

Up and down the Mosel valley they have Strassenweinfests in the fall on the weekends. The different wine towns trade off weekends so there are never 2 close together on the same weekend. All the local wineries set up booths to sell their wine as well as glasses of federweisser, fresh unfermented wine juice. There are a few brass bands, one will be the town band, but the others are from Holland, and they get really wild and fun with weird costumes. The wineries invite them to play by their booths to drum up a little business and pay them off with glasses of wine. A lot of Dutch tourists come down for the weekend, a sure sign of a good time.

The Alpen Horn Festival is one of my faves. Next year, it will be September 21 in Baad, Austria. This is in the Kleinwalsertal region of Austria (there are 4 towns that make this up). My dad was born in 1 of the 4 towns and my husband and I are going with him and his wife next year. I can't wait to celebrate this again. My dad hasn't been back since he left when he was 10. Picture 77 alpen horns on the mountain playing while others are drinking under the tent. Happy travels!!