Luther's Wedding Festival

What Luther's Wedding is

Luthers Hochzeit is a historical city festival in Lutherstadt Wittenberg, commemorating the wedding of Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora in 1525. The old town becomes a living stage: a festive procession, themed areas, markets, music and costumed performers bring the early 16th century back into the streets. It is one of the best-known events in Saxony-Anhalt and a natural fit for anyone interested in the Reformation.

The wedding itself took place on 13 June 1525, and the festival is held around that date each June.

Dates in 2027 and status

The planner shows Friday 11 June to Sunday 13 June 2027 and marks it as estimated. In 2026 the festival ran from 12 to 14 June, and the 2027 window follows the same pattern of a weekend around 13 June, the day of the wedding. In 2027 that anniversary falls on the Sunday itself, which fits neatly. The organisers have not yet confirmed 2027, so check the Luther museums' site and the city's announcements before you book travel.

Programme details, procession times and ticket arrangements are normally published a few weeks beforehand.

History and character

Wittenberg is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its Reformation memorials, including the Luther House and the castle church. The festival turns this history into a popular event: residents and guests wear period dress, and craftspeople, musicians and food stalls fill the old town between the Schlosskirche and the Stadtkirche.

The tone is playful and festive, but it rests on real local history. If you want to understand the setting, plan a visit to the Lutherhaus and the Melanchthonhaus on a separate morning.

What to see, do and eat

Beyond the festival, walk the main street between the two churches, see the Cranach courtyards, and visit the Lutherhaus museum, the world's largest Reformation museum by its own description. Food at the festival includes roast meat, bread, beer and honey products, and Saxony-Anhalt specialties like Baumkuchen are sold across the region.

The Elbe is close, and the Elbe cycle path passes through, so an afternoon bike ride is an easy addition.

Getting there and where to stay

Wittenberg station lies on the line between Berlin and Halle and Leipzig, with regional and some long-distance trains; the journey from Berlin takes roughly an hour, but check the current timetable. The old town is a short walk from the station. During the festival, parts of the centre are closed to cars, so arriving by train is the simplest option.

Rooms in the town are limited, so book early or look at nearby places with train links. Keep free cancellation until the date is confirmed.

Holidays and bridge days in Saxony-Anhalt, 2027

There is no public holiday in Saxony-Anhalt between 11 and 13 June 2027. Whit Monday was 17 May, and Corpus Christi is not a holiday in this state. A Friday to Sunday trip costs one vacation day, Friday 11 June, or none if you only come for the Saturday and Sunday. Reformation Day, 31 October, is a public holiday in Saxony-Anhalt, but in 2027 it falls on a Sunday.

Summer school holidays in Saxony-Anhalt may start soon, and the state education ministry publishes them; check them if you travel with children.

Tips and who it suits

The festival suits families, history lovers and groups of friends. Go early on Saturday for the procession, wear comfortable shoes for the cobbles, and carry water. Because the 2027 date is only estimated, hold off on non-refundable bookings until the organisers confirm it.