Weimar Onion Market
- 8 October 2027 – 10 October 2027
- Weimar, Thuringia
Estimated. This date could not be independently verified for this year and may change - check the official source before relying on it.
One of Thuringia's oldest markets, with braided onion strings and dried flowers, in its 373rd edition in 2026 on the second weekend of October. The date follows the event's usual pattern and has not yet been officially confirmed.
Source: https://stadt.weimar.de/de/datei/anzeigen/id/76409,48/rk_1225_bf_lowres.pdf · Checked 2026-10-08
What the Weimar Onion Market is
The Weimarer Zwiebelmarkt is an autumn market in the centre of Weimar, the Thuringian city of Goethe and Schiller. According to the event data it is one of the oldest markets in Thuringia and is known for braided onion strings and dried flowers, which farmers and craftspeople sell from stalls in the old town. The 2026 edition was the 373rd, as the event data states.
If the market continues without a break, the 2027 edition would be the 374th, but that is a simple count and not something an organiser has confirmed. The entry for 2027 is an estimate.
Dates for 2027 and the second-weekend rule
The planner shows Friday 8 October to Sunday 10 October 2027. The market is traditionally held on the second weekend of October, and in 2027 the second Saturday is 9 October, which gives this Friday to Sunday block. Because the status is estimated, the official dates have not been announced yet.
Check the City of Weimar or the organiser before travelling. A market of this size usually publishes its programme, parade times and any road closures only a few weeks in advance.
Character and history of a regional market
The core of the Zwiebelmarkt is agricultural and traditional: growers bring onions, which are braided into long strings and often decorated with dried flowers and straw. Alongside these you will find pottery, baskets and other regional crafts, and the offering has grown to include stages with music, a children's area and many food stalls.
The setting adds weight. Weimar's city centre around the Markt, the Frauenplan and the Platz der Demokratie is compact, and the town's classical heritage, including the Goethe house and the Schiller house, forms the backdrop. The old market tradition is not a recent invention, and the edition number alone shows a continuity of several centuries.
What to eat, see and do
The obvious speciality is the Zwiebelkuchen, an onion tart that is a classic autumn dish in many German regions and is often served with new wine. Thuringian bratwurst, roast meats and pastries round out the offer. Check the stalls for local varieties rather than relying on a fixed list.
Take time for the Park an der Ilm, Goethe's garden house, the Anna Amalia Library with its Rococo hall and the Bauhaus Museum, since Weimar's Bauhaus sites are part of a UNESCO World Heritage listing. The Buchenwald Memorial on the Ettersberg above the city is a serious and important place that many visitors include on a longer stay.
Public holidays and bridge days in Thuringia, 2027
The estimated dates cover a standard weekend, so a trip from Friday to Sunday needs one vacation day if you travel on Friday morning and none if you arrive after work. There is no public holiday on or next to 8 to 10 October 2027. German Unity Day on 3 October is a Sunday, and Reformation Day on 31 October, which is a public holiday in Thuringia, is also a Sunday, so neither gives a day off in the week.
If you want a longer autumn break, taking Monday 11 October as well costs one more day and gives you four days away. There is no weekday holiday close enough to create a cheap bridge. School autumn holidays differ by state, so check your own calendar.
Tips and who it suits
The market suits visitors who combine shopping for crafts with culture, couples on an autumn city break and families who like a fair with a rural character. Saturday is the busiest day, and the old town gets crowded around midday.
Arrive by train if you can, because parking near the centre is limited on market days. Dress in layers, since early October mornings in Thuringia can be cool, and wait for the official confirmation before booking non-refundable rooms.
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Written and maintained by Basaveswara Rao. Last reviewed on October 10, 2026.