Frankfurt Forest Festival
22.05. – 26.05.2026
A unique tradition
The unofficial bank holiday
of the metropolis on the River Main
The exact origins of this festival are not clear, but many residents of Frankfurt were traditionally granted an additional holiday on the Tuesday after Whitsun to visit the festival grounds. Even though only a few companies still follow this tradition today, Wäldchestag still has a very special significance in Frankfurt.
"Wäldchestag is our city's bank holidays and has a long tradition. Frankfurters visit the city forest on the long Whitsun weekend and experience a festival for the whole family in a unique atmosphere", says Mike Josef, Lord Mayor of the City of Frankfurt am Main.
Opening Times
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.
Programme
Information about the programme will follow in good time before the start of the festival.
FAQs
Frequently asked questions about the Wäldchestag
22nd – 26th May 2026
Friday: 5:00 pm - 1:00 am
Saturday: 12:00 pm - 1:00 am
Sunday: 12:00 pm - 1:00 am
Monday: 12:00 pm - 12:00 am
Tuesday: 12:00 pm - 12:00 am
The opening tour with Lord Mayor Mike Josef will take place on Friday, 22nd May 2026 at 7.00 pm. The start is at the stage at the Schwarzwaldhaus by the fireplace.
The festival's traditional location is the “Oberforsthaus” in Frankfurt's city forest.
Am Oberforsthaus 1
60528 Frankfurt am Main
Card payment is possible at many shops. Please note that the option to pay by card depends on the respective provider.
For those who prefer to pay in cash, ATMs are available on the premises.
Because sustainability is important to us! At Wäldchestag, the motto is: reusable makes all the difference.
That's why you automatically get food and drinks in environmentally friendly reusable containers. A deposit of at least 2 euros is charged for reusable packaging.
Only if you expressly wish to consume your food or drink outside of the Wäldchestag may disposable packaging be used.
Station: Oberforsthaus
The festival site is located in an extensive, natural wooded area, which consists mainly of unpaved paths, meadow areas and slightly uneven ground. Even though we endeavour to make the site as accessible as possible, we would like to point out that it may be difficult for people with limited mobility to walk or drive around.
The following toilet facilities are in operation during opening hours (https://what3words.com):
Toilet trail: ///ankäufe.ausblick.bücher
Dixis bei Schützenhaus: ///behaupten.fertigt.über
Each toilet location is barrier-free and disabled-accessible toilets are available.
Yes, you can park your bike securely in the Bike Area - bike storage station between Am Oberforsthaus and Schützenhaus.
The following items are not permitted on the Wäldchestag and may not be brought along:
Please observe these regulations for a safe and relaxed visit to the festival!
Waldtraut is the little bee that's been flying around on the official Wäldchestag poster for 23 years.The friendly little animal is the mascot of Wäldchestag and you will find her in many places on Wäldchestag. This year she even has her own liqueur. With woodruff flavour, of course. You can buy the Waldmeisterin Waldtraut liqueur on all the stages at Wäldchestag.
If you look closely, you will also spot another insect at Wäldchestag. The butterfly is called Herr von Smetana and is a close friend of Waldtraut.
