KOBLENZ SUMMER FESTIVAL & RHINE IN FLAMES: OUR EXPERIENCE.
If you’re looking for a festive and atmospheric way to experience the Rhine River in summer, Koblenz Summer Festival is a perfect pick. It’s like a summer festival for grown ups, without the warm cider, wellies and camping that you’d find at a UK festival. Pair it with the dazzling Rhine in Flames event, and you’ve got a weekend to remember.
In this blog post, I’ll talk about how our experience of visiting Koblenz during the summer festival unfolded, what you can expect, and how you can plan your own trip.
Where is Koblenz?
Koblenz is a charming city in western Germany found at the point where the Rhine and Moselle Rivers collide. It’s often called the gateway to the Middle Rhine Valley, known for its stunning landscapes, historic castles picturesque villages and of course – wine.
Koblenz is about an hour’s train ride from Cologne or Frankfurt, which means you can easily pop over for the day or settle in for a weekend.
Beyond its convenient location, Koblenz has a lot going for it: a relaxed riverside vibe, a blend of modern and medieval charm, and plenty of green spaces. However, during the summer festival, the city transforms into something even more special.
What is Koblenz summer festival?
The Koblenzer Sommerfest is one of the highlights of the summer season in the Rhineland. It’s held every August and draws thousands of visitors to the city.
The festival takes place along the beautiful Rhine promenade, from the famous Deutsches Eck (German Corner) to the Elector’s Palace, and features a diverse mix of entertainment, food, and activities.
Imagine a sprawling open-air event with beer gardens, wine bars, live music stages, street food stalls, and even fun-fairs for kids.
It’s not just about the drinks and dancing (though there’s plenty of that). The festival also has a distinctly multi-generational feel. Families with toddlers, groups of teenagers, retirees, and everyone in between come together to soak up the festive atmosphere.
One of the best parts? Entry is completely free. You can sample local delicacies, sip on a crisp Riesling from a nearby vineyard, or dance the night away to live music.
Our experience
We arrived to a sticky and hot Koblenz on a Friday evening in August, slightly footsore but exhilarated after completing a leg of the Rheinsteig trail. The festival was setting up as we crossed the water by boat into the city, and the buzz of excitement was already feeling contagious as we made our way to our hotel.
After a shower and quick change out of our hiking gear, we re-emerged looking a little more civilised to find that the festival was well and truly kicking off.
What struck me first was the sheer variety of people. There were families sitting on beer benches, groups of friends laughing over beers, and older couples dancing to live music. Even loads of very well behaved dogs were promenading with owners.
The second thing I noticed, is that the crowd were invariably upmarket. This is the sort of event to dress up for. Everyone looked smart and achingly European, ready to enjoy a proper grown up evening out.
Food and drink
Our first stop was a cosy beer garden, set up especially for the festival. We ordered massive glasses of cold Kölsch beer (although our glasses seemed small in comparison with some of the tankards being consumed). German festivals are nothing without good food, and we were spoiled for choice. Bratwurst stands competed with stalls selling Flammkuchen (a thin, crispy German take on pizza) and sweet treats like Kaiserschmarrn (shredded pancakes dusted with powdered sugar).
For wine lovers, the festival also features pop-up bars showcasing local wines. Koblenz is close to some of Germany’s best wine regions, including the Moselle and Rheingau, so the quality is outstanding. I opted for a glass of chilled Riesling, and it was the perfect accompaniment to the warm summer evening.
Live Music and Entertainment
Music is at the heart of the festival, although there are no famous acts – it’s more about the vibe. We wandered between a couple of stages – bands performing rock tracks one one stage and more upbeat Latin tracks on another. Later Deutsches Eck would play host to a DJ, but this was way past our bedtime so we only saw them setting up.
The Rhine in Flames
The next evening, we experienced something truly magical the Rhine in Flames (Rhein in Flammen), a dazzling display of fireworks that lights up the river and its surroundings. I think we will remember seeing this for a long time to come.
What is the Rhine in Flames?
This annual event takes place in different towns along the Rhine, but the Koblenz edition is arguably the most spectacular. It’s not just about fireworks; it’s a full evening of festivities culminating in a synchronized pyrotechnic show set to music.
From Koblenz, you can join one of the illuminated boats that sail along the Rhine for a front-row view, or you can watch from one of the many vantage points along the riverbanks.
Our Experience in Braubach
As we were walking the Rheinsteig, we weren’t able to hang around in Koblenz for the Rhine in Flames event. It’s fair to say that we left the city with our tails between our legs, because we thought we would miss the whole thing.
What we hadn’t realised, is that you can watch the Rhine in Flames from villages outside of Koblenz.
As luck would have it, we walked to Braubach, a quaint town about 10 km south of Koblenz that day. After supper, we decided to wander to the river, on the off chance that we might catch some of the fireworks in Koblenz. There were so many people gathered that we knew something must be happening.
As it turned out, Braubach is actually where the fireworks and Rhine in Flames boat procession starts and we were fortunate to get a prime spot by the river close to our campsite to watch everything kick off.
Braubach is home to Marksburg Castle, which provides a stunning backdrop for the event. The atmosphere in Braubach was festive yet slightly more relaxed than I expect it would be in Koblenz, with locals and visitors gathering along the riverside with wine and beers.
The fireworks seemed to be synchronized with a dramatic movement of the boats, and the reflections on the river made the scene even more breathtaking. It was one of those moments that made me pause and appreciate the magic of travel. And how lucky we felt to have practically stumbled here on foot.
How you can get involved in 2025
If you’re tempted to experience the Koblenz Summer Festival and Rhine in Flames for yourself, here’s everything you need to know to plan your trip.
Rhine in Flames Boats
To fully immerse yourself in the Rhine in Flames experience, book a spot on one of the illuminated boats. Tickets typically go on sale several months in advance and can be purchased online.
My parents have previously done this and talk very highly about their experience on board a boat in the procession.
You can keep up to date with events and book a Rhine in Flames boat experience here.
If you want to go “all-in” you could also book a three day boat cruise which starts in Strasbourg and reaches Koblenz in time for festivities.
When is the festival?
The Koblenz Summer Festival typically takes place on the second weekend of August, with the Rhine in Flames on Saturday night. For 2025, mark your calendar for the 8th to 10th of August.
Where to stay in Koblenz
Accommodation in Koblenz fills up quickly during the festival, so book seriously early. There’s a range of options, from boutique hotels to budget-friendly guesthouses.
LUXURY: Super 8 is a modern hotel close to the Old Town in Koblenz.
MID-RANGE: Sander Hotel is a decent mid-range hotel with a great city centre location. Close to the summer festival events.
BUDGET: Jugendherberge Festung Ehrenbreitstein (a youth hostel housed in a fortress) is a unique and affordable choice.
There’s also a campsite in Koblenz, just across the river. We tried to stay there but it was completely booked up. So contact them early if you want to secure a space.
How to get there
Koblenz is easily accessible by train, with regular connections from major cities like Cologne, Frankfurt, and Düsseldorf. If you’re driving, there’s ample parking near the city center, but note that some areas may be closed off during the festival.
For a unique arrival, consider taking a river cruise to Koblenz. Many boats operate between the Rhine towns and provide stunning views along the way.
Written by Emma
Wine Lover. Yogi. Hiker. Writer.
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