🍯 Honey Festival in Wietzendorf – A Sweet Weekend in the Lüneburg Heath

🍯 Honey Festival in Wietzendorf – A Sweet Weekend in the Lüneburg Heath

Running since 1974, the Honey Festival (Honigfest) in Wietzendorf has grown into one of the region's best-loved local festivals. In 2026 it takes place on 26 and 27 September, with a warm-up party featuring the band Heavy Silence at Pier One on the Südsee-Camp already on Friday, 25 September. It makes an easy, low-effort day trip from Ferienhaus Heidefee.

Quick facts for planning: the festival runs across both days in the town centre of Wietzendorf, right on Hauptstraße/Kampstraße; admission is €4 per day, and children up to and including age 14 get in free. There's no need to book anything in advance – you simply walk in. It combines tradition, craft, music and, of course, honey.

📍 Getting there from Ferienhaus Heidefee

The festival grounds are only about 500 metres from the holiday cottage – perfect for a short walk. Because it's held right in the town, there's no need to plan for a long excursion; it fits comfortably into a relaxed morning or afternoon.

🎪 Programme & Highlights

🎉 Saturday Kick-off

Things get underway on Saturday at 11am with the school choir and hunting-horn players, followed by the ceremonial award of the Harkenorden, an honour for volunteer commitment in Wietzendorf. After that, both days offer a colourful programme of live music, regional specialities, crafts and stalls run by local clubs and associations.

🐝 Crafts & Honey Products

Over 50 exhibitors present handcrafted goods, regional specialities and, above all, an impressive variety of honey products. From classic flower honey to honey candy, mead (honey wine), beeswax candles and honey soap – there's something for everyone. Exhibitors use the best local ingredients.

🏆 Crowning the "Honey of the Year"

The highlight on Sunday: a jury awards the region's best honey. The winners receive a prestigious title, and their honey is celebrated as "Honey of the Year" throughout the following year – a real draw for honey connoisseurs. New for 2026: the jury's tasting takes place publicly in front of the stage for the first time – you can watch live as the "Honey of the Year" is chosen.

🎵 Music, Culture & Walk Acts

Live music runs throughout the festival – from hunting-horn players at the opening, to brass bands, folk dancing and charming walk-about performers. On Saturday evening, DJ Mona Milaj keeps the dance floor going at the Honey Festival party. Another crowd favourite is the traditional "Dorfwette" (village bet) – a highlight full of local colour.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Children's Area & Flea Market

Around the churchyard, younger visitors will find a colourful children's area with hands-on activities and games. In 2026, the kids' flea market takes place on Sunday from 11am – children and teenagers who want to sell their own things can reserve a pitch in advance by calling Wietzendorf Touristik on 05196 2190.

🌙 Traditional Lantern Procession

On Saturday evening, a picturesque lantern procession winds through Wietzendorf – a lovely, low-key experience for the whole family.

🐝 The Festival Mascot: Polli

For 25 years, the festival's friendly bee mascot "Polli" has been part of the celebrations – the familiar face of the Wietzendorf Honey Festival, and a hit with younger visitors.

🍽️ Food & Drink

Alongside honey and honey products, regional food and drink are available throughout the festival grounds – no need to plan meals around it, you can simply eat there and relax back at the cottage afterwards.

🌞 What to Expect Weather-Wise

September is a good month for outdoor events in the region – typically mild and often sunny, comfortable for a day spent mostly outdoors.

🌿 The Lüneburg Heath & the Honey Festival

Wietzendorf sits at the heart of the Lüneburg Heath, a region with a long tradition of beekeeping and honey production. The heathland's flowering plants and wild herbs make it an especially rich habitat for bees – the source of the region's distinctive heather honey. The festival is as much a celebration of this landscape as it is of honey itself.

🍯 A Regional Specialty: Heather Honey

Heather honey from the Lüneburg Heath is known for its intense flavour and amber colour. Many local beekeepers bring their own varieties to the festival – well worth seeking out if you're curious about local honey.

📞 More Information

Wietzendorf Touristik (local tourist office)
Kampstraße 4, 29649 Wietzendorf, Germany
Phone: +49 5196 2190
www.wietzendorf-touristik.de/honigfest

Further information also available at:
www.lueneburger-heide.de

Programme flyer & children's area flyer to download:
Programme flyer (PDF)
Children's area & flea market flyer (PDF)

🎉 In Short

The Wietzendorf Honey Festival is more than a market – it's a celebration of tradition, community and the sweeter side of life. If you're staying at Ferienhaus Heidefee in late September, it's an easy, no-planning-required addition to your week: no tickets, no long drive, just a pleasant afternoon in the town centre. Book your stay in good time and enjoy an unforgettable festival weekend – whether with family or friends.

See you at the Honey Festival! 🍯✨

If your visit timing allows, the Honey Festival pairs wonderfully with the heather bloom – both fall in the same season. For the days around it, our Top 10 attractions list has more ideas.

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