© #visitfrankfurt, Holger Ullmann

Wäldchestag 

Frankfurt Forest Festival
17.05. – 21.05.2024

A unique tradition

Bank holidays 
of the metropolis on the Main

The exact origins of the festival are not clear, but many residents of Frankfurt were usually 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 has a 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).

 

How it startet

The history 
of the Wäldchestag

The history of Wäldchestag cannot be clearly established. In the absence of documentary evidence, two variants of the origin are considered possible.

Traditionally, the craftsmen held their large, festive processions at Whitsun, and numerous craftsmen's festivals were not least due to the fact that the administrative year in the free imperial city was counted from 1 May to 30 April 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 can also be seen in the custom of driving the cattle out to pasture for the first time after Whitsun, with servants and maids going out with them to feast on "food and drink". Frankfurt street names such as "Pfingstweide", which were mentioned as early as 1300, still bear witness to this old Whitsun tradition today.

Even if today in an international city like Frankfurt only a few people get the day off on Wäldchestag, as would be the tradition, a visit to the city forest on Whitsun weekend and especially on Tuesday - Wäldchestag - is obligatory for most Frankfurters. Those who don't get time off at their international company simply meet up with their colleagues for an after-work forest party in the beer garden or simply enjoy a cool glass of wine under the treetops at the weekend.

© #visitfrankfurt, Holger Ullmann

Programme

is offered on the following stages: 

  • Festhalle Hausmann Open Air
  • WE LOVE FRANKFURT Stage
  • REGENBOGENAREA 

Stage program of the Festhalle Hausmann Open Air

(reservation not possible)

Date Time Act
Friday, 17.05. 7:00 pm Die Quietschboys - Comedy Rockmusik aus Frankfurt
Saturday, 18.05. 6:00 pm Alan Best Band
Sunday, 19.05. 1:00 pm Vereinsschoppen mit Samantha Maxim - Comedyacts und Tänzen der Frankfurter Fastnacht
Sunday, 19.05. 7:00 pm Harri Bo! & die Gummibärchen - 100pro Deutsch, 100pro live, 100pro Party!
Monday, 20.05. 12:00 pm Louissiana - Country- & Linedanceband
Monday, 20.05. 3:00 pm The Goodtimers
Monday, 20.05. 6:00 pm Rosa Montag mit Tante Gladice - Wandalitos und weiteren Überraschungen
Tuesday, 21.05. 6:00 pm Roy Hammer & die Pralineés - Schlager mitten ins Gesicht
© #visitfrankfurt, Holger Ullmann

WE LOVE FRANKFURT stage

near the Ferris wheel

Date Time Act
Friday, 17.05. 5:00 - 7:00 pm Mike Evera
Friday, 17.05. 7:00 - 9:00 pm Nico Willius
Friday, 17.05. 9:00 - 11:00 pm Leo Yamane
Friday, 17.05. 11:00 pm - 1:00 am Markus Bela
Saturday, 18.05. 12:00 pm - 2:00 pm Pau-Lee
Saturday, 18.05. 2:00 - 4:00 pm Markus Bela
Saturday, 18.05. 4:00 - 6:00 pm INQ
Saturday, 18.05. 6:00 - 8:00 pm Sven Jordan
Saturday, 18.05. 8:00 - 10:00 pm Markus Haase
Saturday, 18.05. 10:00 pm - 1:00 am Tim Gray & Ben G Alo
Sunday, 19.05. 12:00 - 3:00 pm Nico Willius
Sunday, 19.05. 3:00 - 5:00 pm Leo Yamane
Sunday, 19.05. 5:00 - 7:00 pm Pau-Lee
Sunday, 19.05. 7:00 - 9:00 pm Swen Baez
Sunday, 19.05. 9:00 - 11:00 pm Ichsageja
Sunday, 19.05. 11:00 pm - 1:00 am Simon Fava
Monday, 20.05. 12:00 - 4:00 pm Alex Ackermann
Monday, 20.05. 4:00 - 6:00 pm Ben G Alo
Monday, 20.05. 6:00 - 8:00 pm Sven Jordan
Monday, 20.05. 8:00 - 10:00 pm INQ
Monday, 20.05. 10:00 pm - 1:00 am FR3DO & Justin Hahn
Tuesday, 21.05. 12:00 - 3:00 pm Ben G Alo
Tuesday, 21.05. 3:00 - 6:00 pm Alex Ackermann
Tuesday, 21.05. 6:00 - 9:00 pm Tim Gray
Tuesday, 21.05. 9:00 pm - 1:00 am Olen
© #visitfrankfurt, Holger Ullmann

REGENBOGENAREA

For reservations, please contact Regenbogenarea@posteo.de directly

Date Time Act
Friday, 17.05. 5:00 pm Opening Wald Party with DJ MEGGY (Pop, Disco, House, Classics) und Special Guest DJ JULIAN SMITH (Pop, House, R&B)
Saturday, 18.05. 12:00 pm Frühschoppen (morning pint)
Saturday, 18.05. 1:00 pm Karaoke with Dennis J - Be a Star under the Rainbow
Saturday, 18.05. from 5:00 pm Waldparty with DENNY VENTURA (GRIND / House) and DJ HILDEGARD (Xtremeties /HMM / BLUFIN / SUNSHINE LIVE / House & Electro)
Sunday, 19.05. 12:00 pm Frühschoppen (morning pint)
Sunday, 19.05. 1:00 pm Karaoke with Dennis J - Be a Star under the Rainbow
Sunday, 19.05. 5:00 pm Travesty with TRUDE TRASH, GINA COLADA & GLINDA GLANZ
Sunday, 19.05. 6:30 pm Waldparty with CHRIS WAKUP (YOU FM / House, RnB, Pop, Mixed Music), MISS THUNDERPUSSY (Xtremeties) House & Electro) and DOMMY DEAN (GRIND / House & Electro)
Monday, 20.05. 12:00 pm Frühschoppen (morning pint)
Monday, 20.05. 1:00 pm Karaoke with Dennis J - Be a Star under the Rainbow
Monday, 20.05. 5:00 pm Travesty with KELLY HILTON & MAXIMA LOVE
Monday, 20.05. 6:00 pm Live: AGNETHA´S AFFAIR (A Tribute to Abba)
Monday, 20.05. 8:30 pm Waldparty – Disco Nights with DJ DIRK VOXX (Club 78) Classics, Pop, Disco All in the Mix
Tuesday, 21.05. 12:00 pm Frühschoppen (morning pint) with Happy Hour for beer and apple wine
Tuesday, 21.05. 1:30 pm Live: FRANCA MORGANO & FRIENDS
Tuesday, 21.05. 5:00 pm Live: EINE BAND NAMENS WANDA - Von A wie Abba bis Z wie Zappa
Tuesday, 21.05. 9:00 pm Closing Party with DJane KARY (House, Electro, Pop & Dance House)

FAQ 

Frequently asked questions about Wäldchestag