Your Moment.
Your Event.
Your Heidelberg.
Where Stories and Experiences Come Together...
Summer nights, music, culture, and encounters – Heidelberg offers events throughout the year that inspire and delight. With great passion and creativity, the city becomes a stage for powerful emotions and small moments of happiness. Whether you’re looking for a specific event or simply want to get inspired, here you’ll find an overview and can start planning right away.
Your Invitation to Heidelberg
The events organized by Heidelberg Marketing are long-standing highlights of the city and shape the event calendar throughout the year. They bring history to life and make the city’s unique atmosphere tangible, bringing people together and making Heidelberg an experience for visitors and locals alike.
Heidelberg’s Events Are Built on Strong Partnerships
Whether as an exhibitor, sponsor, or media partner – together we create unforgettable experiences for guests and participants. Here you’ll find all the important information to become part of our events and present your brand in the inspiring setting of Heidelberg.
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FAQ
Here you'll find frequently asked questions and our corresponding answers.
General Information About Heidelberg Marketing Events
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Heidelberg Marketing GmbH organizes, among others, the following events: Heidelberg Castle Illumination, Heidelberg Autumn Festival, Heidelberg Christmas Market, and Heidelberg Wine Village. As a rule, Heidelberg Marketing GmbH also organizes or supports: Summer by the River, Living Neckar, various district fairs, the German-American Friendship Festival (support), as well as Heidelberg Historic (support). Please note that not all events in Heidelberg are organized by Heidelberg Marketing GmbH. If you have questions about other events, please contact the respective organizer directly or the City of Heidelberg.
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Due to the current budget situation of the City of Heidelberg, the events “Summer by the River” and “Lebendiger Neckar” will be suspended or not held in 2026. Whether and in what form these events will take place in the coming years is currently not yet determined.
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If items are found during one of our events and handed in to us, they will be forwarded to the lost and found office of the City of Heidelberg at the town hall after the event. Please contact the lost and found office of the City of Heidelberg directly.
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Since most of our events take place in Heidelberg’s city center and parking options are limited, we recommend traveling by public transport.
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Various parking garages are available in the Old Town. However, please note that these are often fully occupied during major events. Current information on parking situations and available parking spaces can be found at: https://parken.heidelberg.de/
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Yes, dogs are generally allowed. However, please keep them on a leash and be considerate of other visitors.
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Yes, public toilet facilities for women, men, and people with disabilities are available at our events.
Heidelberg Castle Illumination
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The Heidelberg Castle Illumination will take place in 2026 on the following dates:
July 11, 2026 and September 5, 2026. -
No, admission to the Heidelberg Castle Illumination is free of charge.
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Yes, the event generally takes place even in bad weather. However, in the event of severe weather conditions that could endanger visitor safety, changes or cancellations may occur.
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The Nepomuk Terrace next to the Old Bridge offers a particularly good view of the fireworks. There are also food and drink options as well as music available there.
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The fireworks start at 10:15 p.m. and last about 15 minutes.
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Closure times: from 4:00 p.m. Old Bridge; from 8:45 p.m. Uferstraße and access roads north of the Neckar River; from 9:30 p.m. B37 and access roads south of the Neckar River; from 10:00 p.m. Theodor-Heuss-Brücke. The roads will reopen starting around 11:00 pm in reverse order and in coordination with the police (closure times are subject to change)
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We recommend traveling by public transportation, as parking in the Old Town is limited.
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Parking is available in the parking garages in Heidelberg’s Old Town, but these can fill up quickly. You can find an overview of parking options and current availability at: https://parken.heidelberg.de/
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For boat tours, please contact the Weisse Flotte Heidelberg or the sales department of Heidelberg Marketing GmbH.
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No, table reservations are not possible on the Nepomuk Terrace.
Heidelberg Autumn
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September 26 – 27, 2026.
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Saturday: General admission 11:00 a.m. – 11:00 p.m., vendor stalls from 10:00 a.m., flea market 7:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
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The flyer will be posted on our website approximately two weeks before the event.
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We recommend traveling by public transportation. Suitable stops include Bismarckplatz, the Heidelberg-Altstadt S-Bahn station, and Heidelberg Central Station.
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The Old Town is largely closed to vehicle traffic during the event. Experience has shown that the Old Town’s parking garages fill up quickly. Therefore, please use parking areas outside the Old Town and take advantage of the Park-and-Ride options. You can find current parking information at: https://parken.heidelberg.de/
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At the Heidelberger Herbst, there are safe spaces for individuals affected by sexual violence, located at City Hall, at the German Red Cross booths, and at participating venues. In addition, trained staff is available to assist.
Heidelberg Wine Village
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The Heidelberg Wine Village will take place September 29 – October 11, 2026.
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The Heidelberg Wine Village takes place on Karlsplatz in Heidelberg’s Old Town.
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No, admission is free.
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Daily from 11:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.
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No, table reservations are not possible.
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Yes, beer garden tables and benches are available in a cozy atmosphere.
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We recommend traveling by public transportation.
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There is an underground parking garage at Karlsplatz. However, it fills up quickly. Alternatively, visitors can use other parking garages in the Old Town. You can find current information on parking availability at: https://parken.heidelberg.de/
Heidelberg Christmas Market
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Yes. Clubs, organizations, and schools can apply for the Community Booth. This offers the opportunity to use a booth on the market square for up to three days free of charge, for example for fundraising or informational activities.
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https://www.heidelberg-marketing.de/entdecken/veranstaltungen/bewerbungsformulare
Please send general applications to: events@heidelberg-marketing.de
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Yes. Please send reservation requests to: weihnachtsmarkt@heidelberg.de
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Yes, there are various options for purchasing vouchers. Please specify the number of people in your request. Please send inquiries to: weihnachtsmarkt@heidelberg.de
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The ice rink is not operated by Heidelberg Marketing GmbH. For reservation requests, please contact: weihnachtsmarkt@heidelberg.de
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There is a music area at the Heiliggeistkirche on the Christmas Market. If you’d like to perform there, please send a request with your preferred date to: events@heidelberg-marketing.de
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We recommend walking or taking public transportation. Many visitors travel to Bismarckplatz and explore the Christmas market on foot from there.
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The parking garages in Heidelberg’s Old Town are available, but they are often very full. You can find up-to-date information on parking availability at: https://parken.heidelberg.de/