Unterwegs – May 22, 2026

TIME TRAVEL – EXPERIENCE HISTORY – VR TOUR IN THE MIDDLE AGES

MAY 22 + 25, 2:30/4:30 P.M., OTTERBERG

In 2026 the City of Otterberg is offering American fellow citizens 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, in English. Time Travel – experience history with all your senses. The Time Travel tour is a unique experience that takes participants deep into the past and allows them to experience history in a completely new and unexpected way. Be there when the new season starts and let yourself be inspired by this fascinating journey through time! Further dates: June 7, July 12. Bookable online at https://www.otterbach-otterberg.de/tourismus-freizeit/gaestefuehrungen/time

REMEMBRANCE MARCH

JUNE 5 – 6, WALDSEE, GERMANY TO FRANCE

100km/24 Remembrance March from Germany to France. The route follows memorials, battle fields, from the Siegfried Line/Westwall to the Finish, the Maginot Line in France. Reenactors are very welcome (German, US) There is a shorter 17k route available (Certificate!), from the border to the Finish. We walk in Remembrance of all Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen and civilians of all nationalities. Start your training and honor all victims of war! Registration at kontakt@ig-heimatforschung.de or erik.wieman@gmail.com Further details: https://www.ig-heimatforschung.de/projekte-allg/100km-world-war-ii-escape-evasion-remembrance-march/

PFINGSTSOMMERFEST MIT KULTURWANDERUNG (PENTECOST SUMMER FESTIVAL WITH HIKE)

MAY 24, TENNISPLATZ, ENKENBACH

On Pentecost Sunday, May 24, 2026, the local community of Enkenbach-Alsenborn, together with participating groups and clubs, will once again host a Pentecost Summer Festival with a cultural hike. Traditionally, it begins with a Weißwurst breakfast before the hiking group sets off to pass through various cultural and culinary stations in the other half of the community, where a large closing festival with the two well-known live bands “Random Delight” and “KVK-Band” will be celebrated in a relaxed manner. There will also be play activities for the younger ones.

PFINGSTMONTAG (PENTECOSTAL MONDAY)

MAY 25, GERMANY-WIDE

Monday, May 25 is a German holiday, as well as in most European countries, based on a religious background. All stores and official offices will be closed for business in observance of the holiday. This year it coincides with U.S. Memorial Day.

GUIDED CEMETERY TOUR

MAY 29, 3 P.M., MAIN CEMETERY/DONNERSBERGSTRASSE,

The guided tour of the Kaiserslautern Main Cemetery, including the old Jewish Cemetery, delivers insight into Kaiserslautern’s cemetery culture and history. The round tour leads to splendid tombstones and important public figures in Kaiserslautern’s town history. Male visitors should not forget to bring headwear. Meeting Point: Entrance Donnersbergstraße, Aussegnungshalle (blessing hall). A registration is required per mail to Touristinformation@kaiserslautern.de or phone +49 (0)631 365 4019. Meeting Point: Entrance Donnersbergstraße, Aussegnungshalle (blessing hall). A registration is required per mail to Touristinformation@kaiserslautern.de or phone +49 (0)631 365 4019.

MAIKERWE (MAY FAIR)

MAY 29 – JUNE 8, MESSEPLATZ, KAISERSLAUTERN

Experience plenty of variety, fun, and excitement at the Kaiserslautern fairgrounds. The Lautrer Kerwe is the largest folk festival in the West Palatinate and is well known far beyond its borders. Fancy a little mini vacation from everyday life? No problem! Whether you want to relax and switch off or rather dive in and let loose – the Lauter festival leaves nothing to be desired! The market organizers will ensure that among the roughly 140 vendors, the classic rides, like the Ferris wheel and chain carousel that simply belong to the fairground feeling, are just as represented as the trendy new attractions. Fascinating fireworks, live music, and plenty of food and drinks. The scent of roasted almonds, gingerbread, crepes, and cotton candy enchants not only sweet tooths, for more savory dishes, there are grilled pork knuckles, crispy chicken, crunchy sausages, steaks, various fish specialties, and much more!

BAUERNMARKT (FARMERS’ MARKET)

MAY 31, NEUER DORFPLATZ, WEILERBACH

Enjoy a colorful farmers’ market with fresh regional produce, artisan display, food and drinks, and start getting into the summer spirit!

SUNDAY SHOPPING

MAY 31, 1 – 6 P.M., CITY CENTER/COMMERCIAL AREA, KAISERSLAUTERN

Shopping pleasure for the whole family. the shopping city of Kaiserslautern invites you to the popular open-for-business Sunday. Numerous shops in the city center as well as in the commercial areas will open their doors and offer visitors a relaxed shopping experience. In addition to the latest fashion and technology trends, attractive offers await visitors. The diverse gastronomy in the city center also invites you to linger. As usual, all public parking spaces in Kaiserslautern can be used free of charge this Sunday.

HOHENECKEN CASTLE TOUR

JUNE 3, 4 P.M., CASTLE PARKING LOT, HOHENECKEN

A walk up to the Hohenecken Castle is exciting: not only to enjoy the panoramic view over the Palatinate Forest, but also to explore the castle from the Hohenstaufen period. It was built out of the local red sandstone in the 12th century and then destroyed in 1688. Come and hear the tales of the buried treasure or Maid Hildegard of Hoheneck. Discover the use of the various chambers with many details from life in the Middle Ages. In collaboration with the Association of Friends of the Hohenecken Castle. Meeting point: Hohenecken Castle Parking: Burgherrenhalle, Forststraße 2a. A registration is required per mail to da-geh-ich-mit@kaiserslautern.de or phone +49 (0)631 365 4019.

FRONLEICHNAM (CORPUS CHRISTI DAY)

JUNE 4, GERMANY-WIDE

Fronleichnam is a German holiday celebrated on Thursday, June 4. Based on a religious background, all stores and official offices will be closed for business in observance of the holiday.

RÖMERFEST (ROMAN FESTIVAL)

JUNE 6 AND 7, CITY CENTER/SCHLOSSPARK, ALZEY

In the beautiful setting of Alzey Castle, 130 performers present Roman civilian life with great attention to detail. There are numerous spectacular events, including gladiator fights, Roman cavalry displays, shooting demonstrations, a bird of prey show, formations, and equestrian demonstrations. Children can discover and try out Roman techniques during hands-on activities. Roman merchants, along with food and drinks, invite visitors to browse and enjoy themselves on Saturday and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tickets for the Roman Festival are available in advance and at the box office. Or, enjoy a Roman City Tour – Salve, Altiaium – “A Trip Through Roman Times” Saturday, June 6 and Sunday, June 7 at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Meeting point: Town Hall forecourt. City tour (approx. 1.5 hours), exclusive guided tour of the Roman camp (approx. 0.5 hours), a glass of Roman wine “Mulsum” & free admission to the Roman Festival.

40 YEARS UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE SITE

VARIOUS DATES, KAISERTHERMEN/AMPHITHEATER, TRIER

The City of Trier is celebrating its 40th anniversary of being a UNESCO World Heritage Site with its Roman ruins. Various special events, such as gladiator fights, Roman cavalry demonstrations, “Food and Drink in the Roman Empire,”, and a Roman military display are taking place throughout the summer. For details and dates visit: www.trier-info.de/40-jahre-welterbe

FRÜHLINGSFEST (SPRING FESTIVAL)

JUNE 13 – 15, CITY CENTER,OTTERBERG

The Spring Festival in Otterberg is held every two years and opens on Saturday, June 13 at 7:00 p.m. on the square in front of the Abbey Church. The mayor and the Spring Queen inaugurate the festival with music from the Otterberg “Harmonie” association, followed by a well‑known regional live band from about 8:30 p.m. At 6:00 a.m. on Sunday cannon shots wake the town and signal a musical parade by the Harmonie club, and everyone is invited to join the march and the subsequent breakfast. The festival’s highlight is a historic parade at 1:00 p.m., featuring over 1,000 participants in period costumes, fanfare bands, Cistercian monks, Walloons, Huguenots, the town’s night watchman, and the Spring Queen in a decorated carriage. Kindergartens, elementary schools, local clubs, businesses, and themed floats add color to the procession. After the parade, participants and guests walk together to the forest festival site about 3 km outside town on the road to Höringen.

ROCK OF AGES MUSICAL

JUNE 13, 8:30 P.M., FREILICHT-BÜHNE, KATZWEILER

ROCK OF AGES: Hairspray, leather, and the greatest rock anthems of the 80s!  Get ready for a journey back in time to the era of glam metal!  The open-air stage in Katzweiler presents the Broadway jukebox musical that makes every rock fan’s heart beat faster: Experience an explosive mix of great love, crazy characters, and unforgettable rock anthems of the 1980s – all under the summery starry sky of Katzweiler. The plot is carried by the greatest hits of the 80s rock giants. Sing and headbang along to immortal classics from: Night Ranger REO Speedwagon Pat Benatar Twisted Sister Poison Foreigner … and many more! Further dates online at www.citykit.plus, www.westpfalz.de, www.kaiserslautern.plus

DIE LANGE NACHT DER KULTUR 2026 (LONG NIGHT OF CULTURE)

JUNE 13 – 14, CITY CENTER, KAISERSLAUTERN

Coordinated by the city’s Department of Culture, the event fills the city center with over 30 venues and hundreds of artists, letting visitors create their own program. Highlights include the Lange‑Nacht‑Bus with Stefano Cattaneo and Carlos Abyazar, plus music, dance, visual art, performance and experimental works — e.g., the Fruchthalle foyer audiovisual and a 360° installation at 42kaiserslautern. Major institutions (Pfalzgalerie, Pfalztheater, music school, city museum) and the independent scene (SUKURA, Kabinett K2 / KunstRaum Westpfalz, UNION‑Studio, Salon Schmitt) and partners like the illuminated Japanese Garden all participate. Full program: https://safe.menlosecurity.com/doc/docview/viewer/docN819B2A9F8501428c81294e8207b657faeed6b1361e430690a0259424f0e4d4dac1fa2bb4e2be

GROUP TOURS IN ENGLISH

VARIOUS DATES, TOURIST INFO, KAISERSLAUTERN

Kaiserslautern is celebrating its 750th anniversary of city rights this year. For group tours in honor of the occasion, such as a city bus tour, guided cemetery tour, guided historic walk, Hohenecken castle, K’town for kids and more, visit: https://www.kaiserslautern.de/tourismus_freizeit_kultur/tourismus/besichtigungstouren/besichtigungstouren_gruppen/index.html.en

MAINZER JOHANNISNACHT

JUNE 19 – 22, RHINE PROMENADE/CITY CENTER, MAINZ

In 1968, the year of the 500th anniversary of Johannes Gutenberg’s death, Karl Delorme, launched the folk festival. Since then, the memory of the great inventor Johannes Gutenberg has been celebrated. Look forward to a grand celebration with a diverse program: Johannisnacht stretches along the banks of the Rhine from the Kaisertor to the Weintor and from Fischtorplatz via Liebfrauenplatz to Schillerplatz. In addition to carousels and other rides, there is an artists’ market along the banks of the Rhine. The market offers handmade products and a variety of creative ideas in the areas of jewelry, clothing, decoration and gifts. Also look forward to an extra-large, colorful program featuring talented artists and more in Rheinland-Pfalz’s capital city. Details: https://www.mainzer-johannisnacht.de/en/