Carneval
Another reason why it is so lovely on the Rhine is the “fifth season”, as the Carnival is lovingly called by the locals. It is one of the most colourful seasons on the Rhine, even though it takes place in the winter, ending on Ash Wednesday before Lent. On the days between the Women’s Carnival Thursday and Ash Wednesday, the streets and halls of Boppard and its suburbs are full of people in their colourful Carnival costumes. Weeks before, there are lots of preparations to be made for the special evenings, where the locals have their “Sitzungen”. This is when they hold their very comical speeches, usually making fun of the local politicians and other local happenings. Costumes have to be made and dances to be practised weeks in advance. On the Sunday before the “Rose Monday”, Boppard has its wonderful Night Parade. Bad Salzig also has a parade on the Saturday afternoon. Oppenhausen has its parade on the most famous of Carnival days “Rose Monday”. These parades offer you colourful costumes and music. Sweets and other goodies are thrown out to the waiting crowds…this is a very traditional and well-loved event.
Walk & Wine in the Vineyards
Walk and Wine in the Vineyards
Here in “Bopparder Hamm” is where it all began…the birthplace of Boppard’s wine culture, where the vineyards have such melodic names as: Mandelstein, Ohlenberg or Feuerlay. This is where the fresh new green of the vines sprouts each year when Spring returns to the Rhine. There is no place is more appropriate to sample the new, lively and aromatic wines of Boppard’s winegrowers…in combination with a walk through the vineyards, stopping at the many stands where you are invited to linger, enjoy and learn. On a distance of 5 kilometres there are rows of wine-tasting stands, together with offers of the local culinary delights. Throughout the whole length of this walk, you will be spoiled by wonderful sights, smells and tastes. Winegrowers and chefs alike await the happy wanderer.
The entrance to the vineyards is at Peternach on the B9. Parking is possible in Boppard or in Spay. There is a free bus service from 10.00 am until 7.00 pm to take you to the entrance from both Boppard and Spay.
Date: Always on the last Sunday in April
May Festival
Musical Market Square
This is a whole weekend with a colourful programme. Starting on the Friday, from 6.00 pm until late at night, the market square becomes a glittering stage for a night of rocking music with bands such as Schmüddel Combo and doubleDEE. On Saturday, Boppard will be celebrating Karneval for a second time round, as everyone is invited to put on their Karneval costumes and dance!!! And for those who have managed to cure their hangover, there is more music on Sunday with the local brass band “Musikfreunden Boppard Weiler” The highlight on Sunday is the Oldtimer Rally which finishes in Boppard’s town centre to the accompaniment of relaxing jazz music in the afternoon.
Rhine Promenade Festival
Enjoyment At Its Best
To see and be seen. This was a favourite pastime at the turn of the 20th. century and continues to be in the present. The Rhine Promenade Festival lures you to stroll along Boppard’s promenade with its shady trees, always with the Rhine in view and with an abundant offer of culinary delights from the local gastronomy. There is the pleasure of strolling but also many reasons to stop and enjoy. To add to the flair of this special summer weekend for locals and guests alike, there is a colourful musical programme on all days. The sound of Samba on Friday evening, a sparkling fireworks display and live music on Saturday and a varied family programme on Sunday from 11.00 a.m. transform the Rhine Allee into a catwalk for summer fun and enjoyment.
Date: (always 3rd weekend in July)
Onion Market
- Boppard's Onion Market
The onion market has a very long tradition in Boppard. It goes back as far as the Middle Ages, when merchants, offering onions from a nearby Rhine island, sold their ware in Boppard. In those days the onions were transported to Boppard in small boats and barges. Nowadays you can still buy onions at the market but there is a wealth of other wares on offer, which makes a visit to Boppard during Onion Market very worthwhile indeed. There is so much to see and lots of interesting goings-on at the stands, which are all situated along the Rhine Allee in front of Boppard’s large hotels and also on the market square. This year the market will continue its long tradition and will be full of interesting surprises for its visitors…old and young alike
Date: 10th. / 11th. September from 10.00 a.m. till 6.00 p.m.
Place: Town centre on the market square and Rhine promenade.
Wine Festival
- Wine Festival
Between Heaven and Bopparder Hamm
A celebration is called for! Never were there so many excellent vintages as in the last 10 years. The warm climate in the Bopparder Hamm boosts the growth of the vines and also promotes an early harvest. The grapes are usually ripe and being harvested when the Wine Festival takes place, giving reason for celebration. The Boppard winegrowers delight in inviting locals and guests to join in the celebration and therefore the Wine Festival is one of the most important highlights of the year. There is a perfect combination of: the romantic setting in the market square, the various wine stands for wine-tasting, the music and entertainment and, last but not least, the spectacular fireworks displays on both Saturday evenings, which can be enjoyed from the Rhine promenade or from one of the many boats taking part. On two weekends the gates to Wine Heaven are opened and you are never so near to Wine Heaven as here in Boppard!
Date: (Always the last weekend in September and the first in October)
Agricultural Market
- Agricultural Market
The traditional Boppard Agricultural Market not only offers you the best products from regional farmers, but also a variety of livestock. Pink piglets (a special attraction for the children), ducks, geese and other feathered friends help make the market a very colourful attraction. The visitor will find a vast arrangement of home products but also a variety of arts and crafts. The Agricultural Market takes place at the end of October and offers all the delights of Autumn, such as juicy red apples and splendid potatoes. You will find wine and schnaps, pottery, wooden toys as well as homemade bread and sausage. This is a show of all the homegrown and hand-made products that the Rhine valley and the hills of the Hunrück have to offer.
Date: (Always the last Sunday in October)
