Heidelberg Events
Heidelberger Castle Illuminations
An event highlight every year: the Heidelberg Castle Illuminations © Heidelberg Marketing, photo Tobias Schwerdt
Missed it ? – Never mind – make a date for 2026, we’ll keep you informed.
Dates for 2026 – 11. July. and 5. September.
In 1613, Elector Frederick V had a firework display staged to welcome his newlywed wife Elizabeth Stuart. This firework display laid the foundation for the later light shows over the night sky of Heidelberg.
At the second and last Heidelberg Castle Illumination in 2025 on September 6, thousands of people once again witnessed a truly magical night in Heidelberg. From 10.15 pm, Bengal fires bathed the imposing castle ruins in a mystical red glow, while a fascinating brilliant firework display lit up the sky over the Neckar and the river sparkled.
The fireworks were enjoyed in a particularly atmospheric way from the Neckar meadows, where numerous guests waited for the sky over Heidelberg to be transformed into a sea of lights and the Old Bridge lit up in the colors of the fireworks. You could also get up close to the action on a White Fleet boat. In addition, as always the Philosophenweg on the northern bank of the river offered an excellent view of the spectacle.
Heidelberg Celebrates Autumn
A perennial highlight of the Heidelberg Autumn Festival – the bustling flea market © Heidelberg Marketing, photo Tobias Schwerdt
As temperatures drop in the fall, anticipation rises for the region’s biggest event: the Heidelberg Autumn Festival “Heidelberger Herbst“ on 27 and 28 September 2025.
Along the Hauptstraße, in the side streets, and around the Old Bridge, visitors will find a vibrant mix of attractions: traditional flea markets, art and craft stalls, and plenty of chances to discover unique treasures while browsing. Live music fills the streets with performances on multiple stages, and the popular medieval market is once again an integral part of the program.
Food lovers can look forward to a wide selection of regional specialties, perfect for tasting and enjoying.
A special highlight is Family Sunday: while younger visitors enjoy a varied children’s program, the open-shopping Sunday gives adults a relaxed opportunity to explore Heidelberg’s shops.
Heidelberg Wine Village
Good mood is guaranteed at the Heidelberg Wine Village © Heidelberg Marketing, photo Tobias Schwerdt
The Heidelberg Wine Village has long established itself as a fixed part of the city’s event calendar.
This year it invites visitors from 30 September until 12 October 2025 to enjoyable days at Karlsplatz – in a unique atmosphere, directly at the foot of Heidelberg Castle. Of course, wines from all Heidelberg vintners are available.
The fine wines are served in specially designed collector’s glasses created for the event, while spritzers are poured in the popular, authentic 0.5 l Palatinate “Dubbeglas” mugs. The culinary offerings are rounded out with dishes such as the winemaker’s platter, Handkäse with music, and other regional specialties. On selected days, guests can also enjoy a musical supporting program.
The Heidelberg Wine Village – the festival where romantic flair, culinary variety, and convivial atmosphere combine into a special experience.
Heidelberg’s Neckar Beach is back
A glorious holiday vibe in the heart of Heidelberg © Heidelberg Marketing, photo: Dominik Böhm
Located at the Neckarlauer below the Stadthalle concert hall, the urban beach has once again been created with around 35 tons of sand brought in during a carefully organized effort.
Throughout the summer months, this city beach offers a relaxing spot to unwind, connect, and let your soul breathe. With a beach bar, deck chairs, pallet benches, and sun sails, it’s a welcoming meeting point for all ages. In addition to its laid-back atmosphere, the beach also features a changing program of events.
Whenever the sun is shining, visitors can enjoy food and drinks from the afternoon until 10 p.m. The Neckar Beach, like all other Neckarorte spaces, is operated by dedicated volunteers from the Neckarorte association.
The new Valerieweg footbridge
The newly reconstructed Valeriewegsteg in Heidelberg © Heidelberg Marketing, photo Eva Bruce
After extensive construction work, the Valeriewegsteg near the historic Altes Karlstorbahnhof in Heidelberg’s Old Town has been completely rebuilt and is now open to the public.
This pedestrian bridge, which connects Heidelberg’s Old Town railway station with the Valerieweg and the Königstuhl hill, has been reconstructed to match the original. It now shines in new splendor and stands as a successful example of how tradition and modern infrastructure blend into Heidelberg’s cityscape.
Crossing the bridge takes visitors onto the Valerieweg, following in the footsteps of Valerie, daughter of Austrian Empress Elisabeth (“Sissi”). The path winds its way past rugged granite cliffs, leading uphill to the Schloss-Wolfsbrunnenweg, where it meets the Elisabethenweg.
Empress Elisabeth and her daughter Valerie visited Heidelberg several times for extended stays between 1883 and 1890.
Kleine Freiheit
Kleine Freiheit in front of halle02 © halle02
Urban, open, and relaxed – The Kleine Freiheit in front of halle02 is Heidelberg’s charming summer spot.
Every Thursday to Saturday from 5 p.m., weather permitting, it’s all about enjoying the evening: no entry fee, no dress code, no pressure to buy — just drop by and unwind.
Located in the heart of the Bahnstadt district, this laid-back hangout offers great drinks, chilled beats, and tasty bites ranging from antipasti to hot dogs. Three signature formats — Italiano Sprizz, Vino Vinyl, and Secco Saturday — deliver a holiday vibe, wine culture, and the perfect sparkling start to your weekend.
For years, Kleine Freiheit has stood for diversity, low-barrier access, and a uniquely welcoming atmosphere.
Motto: Drop by — and stay as long as the sun shines.
Forever and ever – weddings at Heidelberg Castle
A wedding ceremony at Heidelberg Castle is incomparable © Heidelberg Marketing, photo Michaela Janetzko
The 2025 wedding dates at Heidelberg Castle can now be booked.
Where could the most important day of your life be celebrated in a more romantic and unforgettable way than in the “most beautiful ruins in the world”? Civil wedding ceremonies take place in the medieval Brunnenstube, a room dating back to the 16th century. Embedded in one of the oldest parts of the castle, it exudes a unique historical charm. Here, where the past and romance come together, every “I do” becomes a magical moment.
Another highlight is the incomparable view: From the Brunnenstube, there is a magnificent view of the idyllic castle courtyard and the impressive facades of the palaces built in different eras.
Did you know …
… that the Bunsen burner was invented in Heidelberg?
Robert Wilhelm Eberhard Bunsen, born on March 30, 1811 in Göttingen, died on August 16, 1899 in Heidelberg, was a German chemist. Together with Gustav Robert Kirchhoff, he discovered caesium and rubidium in 1861 and developed spectral analysis, which can be used to detect chemical elements in a highly specific manner. For this purpose, Bunsen perfected a particular gas torch, which had previously been invented by Michael Faraday and would later be called the Bunsen burner. During his time at the University of Heidelberg, Bunsen taught well over 3,000 students. In his honor, a statue was erected in the anatomy garden.
You can even take a Bunsen tour of Heidelberg.
One of his students was the chemist Henry Roscoe. About Robert Bunsen, he said: “As an investigator, he was great. As a teacher, even greater. As a man and friend, he was greatest.”
Did you know …
Charles Francois de Graimberg (1774 – 1864) in a portrait by Guido Schmitt, 1902 © Kurpfälzisches Museum Heidelberg
… that a Frenchman, Charles de Graimberg, saved the Heidelberg Castle ruins?
Charles de Graimberg came to Heidelberg in 1810 to make copperplate engravings of the castle ruins and the town – and remained in Heidelberg until his death in 1864. Back then, he was shocked to discover that the people of Heidelberg were using the ruins as a quarry for their houses and the castle garden as a potato field. Furthermore, a contract had already been signed with a demolition company.
He campaigned for the preservation of the ruins with personal commitment and his own money, paid guards, even took up residence in the castle and his copperplate engravings made Heidelberg known to a broad public. He was successful.
And so, thanks to Charles de Graimberg, we can still marvel at this world-famous symbol of Romanticism today.
Did you know …
The Heidelberg Town Hall carillon was inaugurated in 1961 © City of Heidelberg
… that Heidelberg’s Town Hall has its own carillon?
The carillon at Heidelberg’s Town Hall is one of the city’s most charming landmarks – a musical symbol and a living piece of local history. Made up of 26 finely cast bronze bells from the renowned Schilling Bell Foundry in Heidelberg, the carillon has been enchanting the Old Town for over 60 years with its distinctive sound.
It was officially inaugurated on 10 December 1961, and since then, it has played a three-minute melody three times a day – at 11:55 a.m., 3:55 p.m., and 6:55 p.m. With a selection of around 50 programmed tunes across five seasonal and thematic categories – summer, Advent, Christmas, „secular“, and a May programme – the carillon is a musical companion throughout the year.
The largest bell weighs 60 kilograms and lays the foundation for the melodies, while the full set of bells together weighs a solid 800 kilograms.
Did you know …
The founding document of Heidelberg University from 1386 © Photo by Steffen Schmid
… that the founding document of Heidelberg University is still preserved?
Prince Elector Rupert I founded Heidelberg University in 1386. He established it with papal approval in his residence city. The founding rector was the Dutchman Marsilius von Inghen, who came to Heidelberg from the University of Paris.
It is now the oldest university in Germany and, at the time, was the third university in the Holy Roman Empire, after Prague and Vienna – but unlike the other two, it was already a full university with faculties of medicine, law, theology, and philosophy.
The founding document, dated October 01, 1386, specified that the new university should be organized after the model of Paris. It has been preserved to this day and is one of the treasures of the University of Heidelberg’s archive.
Did you know …
… that Heidelberg is the most sustainable city in Germany?
The latest city ranking by business magazine WirtschaftsWoche concludes that Heidelberg is the most sustainable and future-oriented city in Germany.
Among other things, Heidelberg impresses with its passive house district Bahnstadt, the new energy storage facility in Pfaffengrund and the lowest youth unemployment rate.
Furthermore, the ranking highlights the high value that science and research, education and training have for Heidelberg. Every fifth euro in the city’s budget is invested for the benefit of children and young people, and around 70% of employees in Heidelberg work in knowledge-intensive services.