Freiburg Festivals and Seasonal Events

From: Freiburg im Breisgau, Germany

ABOVE: A parade during Fasnet, Freiburg's carnival celebration.

In Livable Cities Observed, Suzanne H. Crowhurst Lennard and Henry L. Lennard write:

"Celebration and festivity are cherished in Freiburg. Hardly a week goes by without some festival in the center of town or in one of the neighbourhoods. The annual carnival celebration, 'Fasnet,' revives a centuries-old tradition of masked and costumed performances in the streets. Thirty-tree fools' guilds take part in the celebrations, and there is a 'Hemdglunker' procession which leads to the storming of the city hall."

Fasnet (Black Forest dialect for "Fastnacht") takes place in January or February, depending on the year. Another popular event, the twice-yearly Mess, takes place in May and October. It's a hugely popular event with carnival rides, entertainment,  food and drink stands, market stalls, and and other activities.

In late June and early July, the Zelt-Musik-Festival (ZMF, or Tent Music Festival) draws thousands of visitors to the western district of Rieselfeld. Around the same time, on the last weekend in June, Oberlindenhock--a.k.a. the Oberlinden Street Party--takes place in the historic center. A week later comes the Freiburger Weinfest in the Münsterplatz, which began in 1970 during the city's 850th birthday celebration and has been drawing wine fanciers ever since.

Other summer celebrations include the lakeside festival of Seenachtsfest, the Schlossberg-Lichterfest (an outdoor festival of lights with 100,000 candles), and the Weinkost or tasting of wines from the city's own vineyards during the month of August.

Fall brings the autumn edition of the Mess (see above), and then comes the holiday season with the Freiburg im Breisgau Weihnachtsmarkt or Christmas Market. (Advent is a delightful time to visit Freiburg, both for shopping and to enjoy the atmosphere at the holiday booths of the Weihnachtsmarket and the year-round market on the Münsterplatz.)

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