OKTOBERKERWE
OCT. 17 – 27, MESSEPLATZ, KAISERSLAUTERN
Visit the largest fair in the region and enjoy turbulent rides and live music in several tents. Food, beverages, games, sweets and fun for the whole family. The fair will end with fireworks on Monday, Oct. 27 at about 9:30 p.m. Shops will be open on Sunday, Oct. 19, 1 – 6 p.m.
KÜRBISAUSSTELLUNG ”FEUER“ (PUMPKIN EXHIBITION “FIRE”)
UNTIL OCT. 31, NEUMÜHLEPARK/GARTENSCHAU, KAISERSLAUTERN
With over 45,000 pumpkins of various kinds, unique works of art were created at this year’s pumpkin exhibition under the theme of “Fire.” In addition to lionfish, fire salamanders, and jellyfish, a volcanic landscape can be admired in pumpkin garb. Younger fans are sure to enjoy “Fireman Sam,” Jim Button with his steam engine Emma, and Fred Flintstone. The eight-person assembly team attached each individual pumpkin to wooden and wire frames. To give the figures their colorful appearance, a variety of pumpkins were used. The colors ranged from white to classic orange decorative pumpkins to blue pumpkins.
HALLOWEEN AT EIFELPARK
OCT. 10 – 27, 10 A.M.-5 P.M./EVENING, EIFELPARK/GONDORF
Over a thousand pumpkins and wonderfully goory decorations make a visit to the Eifel Park a spooky autumn treat! FiLu and Mr. Baldo: “There’s something spooky here…”: A wonderfully funny show for the whole family! And, fearless ghost hunters will be on the move throughout the Eifel Park. On Saturdays and Sundays, a life-sized 4.50-meter long dino will stomp through the park, visitors can watch Russfuss Zitterbein on stilts, but should be beware of Grim Reaper Todd, a three-legged creature. There will be a puppet theater, pumpkin carving, Halloween face painting with all attractions open until 5 p.m. On Oct. 10, 11, 17, 18, 24 and 25 the attractions will be extended until the evening hours. Don’t miss out on the spooky fun!
BIATHLON DEUTSCHLAND-TOUR
ZU GAST IN ZELL
OCT. 12, 11 A.M. – 6 P.M. ZELL/MOSEL
Experience an exciting hands-on event for everyone and the thrilling Biathlon City Championship in Zell! You will you have the opportunity to immerse yourself in the world of biathlon on the market square in Zell. The event will culminate in thrilling competitions where you can cheer on the teams or get involved yourself. A special highlight for all participants is the goosebump-inducing winner’s prize: The stage winners and their companions will be invited to an exclusive adventure weekend in February 2026 in the Biathlon World Cup resort of Oberhof, where the tour finale will take place. https://www.biathlon-tour.de/12-oktober-2025-zell-mosel/
TIME TRAVEL – EXPERIENCE HISTORY – VR TOUR INTO THE MIDDLE AGES
OCT 18, 2.30/4.30 P.M., CITY CENTER,
OTTERBERG
Experience a “Time Travel” tour, a unique experience that brings history to life in a fascinating way. Participants are enthusiastic about this incomparable journey through time, which combines tradition and modernity in a unique way. Time Travel – experience history with all your senses on your special holiday. Bookable online at https://www.otterbach-otterberg.de/tourismus-freizeit/gaestefuehrungen/time-travel/
HERBSTMESSE (AUTUMN FAIR)
OCT 24 – NOV. 2, FESTPLATZ, SPEYER
The festival site will transform into a colorful trade fair hustle and bustle. In addition to the large number of rides, visitors can expect a wealth of culinary offerings. Experience a family-friendly ride on the Ferris wheel. The round rides and automatic scooter offer driving fun for young and old. If you’re looking for a thrill, try a ride on the high-rise attraction. In addition to numerous booths that make children’s hearts beat faster, an amusement facility will ensure lots of fun and a good mood. There are also many opportunities to put your skills to the test at the many ball/dart throwing, lottery and ring throwing booths or with fishing games and shooting carts. Beer gardens and snack bars invite you to linger. For dessert, there are sweets, ice cream and crepe carts with plenty of options for snacking.
HALLOWEEN AT BURG SATZVEY
OCT. 25, 3 P.M./6 P.M., CASTLE SATZVEY, MECHERNICH/EIFEL
Ghostly creatures will crawl out of every corner of the extensive castle grounds and terrify anyone who approaches. A particular horror highlight is the course of terror in the dark castle park – definitely not for the faint-hearted! This year a new child-friendly program for families will start at 3:00 p.m. Those who stay longer can go into the castle park from 5:00 p.m. But be careful, dark figures and monsters will soon be leaving their hiding places. From 6:00 p.m. the spooky ferryman will silently greet his guests on the castle lake – goory figures will terrify many a visitor. Who dares to enter the castle courtyard, which lies eerily in the twilight? A course of terror awaits the particularly brave. Those who dare can go in, but will you be able to get out again? The entrance opens at 7:00 p.m., while the disco starts at 10:00 p.m. Costumes are welcome! Details: https://www.burgsatzvey.de/veranstaltungen/halloween-2025-1/
TIME CHANGE
OCT. 26, 2:00 A.M., GERMANY/EUROPE-WIDE
Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour to regular Central European Time.
WENDELINUSMARKT (FALL MARKET)
OCT. 26, MARKET SQUARE, RAMSTEIN
Enjoy a colorful market, with over 50 vendors selling seasonable merchandise and deco, meet new friends and neighbors with live music, entertainment and shopping on Sunday.
HALLOWEEN AT THE ZOO
OCT. 31, 5 P.M. – 8:30 P.M.,
ZOO SIEGELBACH
Who has the courage to enter the “house of horrors?” Who is brave enough to encounter the “monsters of the sky?” Who is courageous enough to watch the “feeding of the dwarves and giants?” Afterwards all young and older visitors are invited to a “creepy dinner!”
SAMHAIN FESTIVAL
OCT. 31, KELTENDORF, STEINBACH
The Celtic village in Steinbach will top off the season with a traditional Samhain festival. The event has its origins 2,000 years ago and marks the end of the year and beginning of winter. Celts then ate, drank and celebrated the occasion together. The village will offer displays, bonfires, activities for kids and a walk with torches to the circle of spooky Celtic statues at the garden nearby, where guests will receive information about Celtic traditions at the large bonfire. Don’t miss out on this very special and different “Halloween” event. Visitors are requested to carpool, as parking is limited in the small village. For details, see: http://www.keltendorf-steinbach.de/
ALLERHEILIGEN (ALL SAINTS‘ DAY),
NOV. 1, PUBLIC HOLIDAY IN RHEINLAND-PFALZ/SAARLAND
Saturday, Nov 1, is a public holiday with a religious background. A modern tradition is to decorate graves of deceased with dried-flower bouquets, wreaths or flower bowls and cover existing plants with fir branches to protect against frost. So-called grave or eternal lights with candles are also placed on graves in memory of beloved family members. All stores and offices will be closed to observe the occasion in Rheinland-Pfalz, Saarland, Nordrhein-Westfalen, Baden-Württemberg and Bavaria. Please note that there is no holiday in Hessen and Berlin. The northern states and Hessen observe Reformation Day on Friday, Oct 31 as a public holiday.
HOMBURG FLEA AND ANTIQUES MARKET
OCT. 10, 8 A.M. – 4 P.M., AM FORUM,
HOMBURG
The biggest flea and antiques market in southwest Germany, takes place on the first Saturday of the month, in the area known as the Forum, in front of the Homburg Rathaus (town hall) and the Landratsamt. The flea market was launched in 1975 and has developed into the largest in southwest Germany. Next dates: Nov. 8 and Dec. 6 (Christmas Flea Market).
QUIRNBACH PFERDEMARKT
NOV. 12, 9.45 A.M. UNTIL EVENING,
QUIRNBACH
A festival for horse lovers and tradition enthusiasts – the Quirnbach Horse Market. Every year on the second Wednesday in November, the tranquil town in the West Palatinate region transforms into a lively meeting place. This is when the 500-person village literally gets its hooves churning. In the middle of the week, animal lovers, market visitors, and revelers from near and far flock to the town. The traditional Quirnbach Horse Market has a long history – since 1876, it has attracted around 15,000 visitors annually, making it one of the most important horse markets in Rhineland-Palatinate. The market begins early in the morning with the main attraction: the horse awards ceremony. Here, owners present their magnificent horses – donkeys are also welcome – to a jury of experienced judges. This event is particularly interesting for recreational riders. In addition, the awards ceremony is complemented by show acts to make the program as diverse as possible. Numerous stalls at the flea market invite you to stroll, discover, and enjoy everything from regional products to handicrafts to culinary specialties. Another highlight of the market is the traditional lottery, where attractive prizes can be won. The large festival tent provides a cozy atmosphere, where people celebrate together with music, Palatinate specialties, and drinks. The mornings are more traditional. Then, with brass music playing, the tent becomes a brunch-like affair. In the evening, there’s a lively party atmosphere. The Horse Market is more than just a market – it’s a place of living traditions where history, conviviality, and rural culture come together. The event is ideal for families, nature lovers, and culture enthusiasts who enjoy authentic Palatinate experiences in a rural atmosphere. It’s worth a visit – not just for equestrian fans!
ST. MARTIN FESTS AND PARADES
ON/ABOUT NOV. 11, VILLAGES IN THE KMC
St. Martin might ride through your town on a white horse and bring joy to children. Many villages offer parades, music and children cheerfully singing and carrying colorful hand-made lanterns. There may be bonfires with food and drinks as well as pretzels for kids. Check your local “Amtsblatt” for exact dates and times in your individual community.
MIXERY ELECTRIC STADIUM FESTIVAL
NOV. 15, 6 P.M. – NOV. 16, 4 A.M.,
FRITZ-WALTER-STADION, KAISERSLAUTERN
The Mixery Electric Stadium Festival is entering its next round and promises an unforgettable experience for all lovers of driving beats, hypnotic light shows, and an electrifying atmosphere.
The festival brings top national and international acts from the electronic music scene to the stage. From pulsating techno to driving electro, visitors can expect a carefully selected lineup that ensures musical diversity and energetic highs.
The unique location, where football history is usually made, with its artistic architecture and emotional stadium backdrop, offers the perfect setting for this extraordinary event. State-of-the-art lighting and sound systems ensure an immersive festival experience in one of the region’s most traditional venues. The Electric Stadium Festival is aimed at everyone who wants to not just hear electronic music, but feel it. Adults only, admission 18+. Tickets: https://gastro.fck.de/MiXery-Electric-Stadium-Festival-2025
FASTNACHT/KARNEVAL START,
NOV. 11, NATIONWIDE
Nov. 11 marks the beginning of the Karneval season in Germany. Some cities such as Cologne, Düsseldorf and Mainz have colorful festivities and street events to kick off the season. The day is not a public holiday and all offices and stores are open for business, but you may encounter people in silly costumes.
