Frankenthal (Pfalz): Straw Hat Festival, Water and City History

City Festival, Water and Walks

Every year in early summer, the Straw Hat Festival transforms Frankenthal’s city centre into a large festival area. It is considered the Palatinate’s largest street festival and attracts around 250,000 visitors from Frankenthal and the surrounding region. Since the dates vary from year to year, it is worth checking the specific event dates if you want to plan your trip around the festival.

There are also plenty of reasons to spend time outdoors outside the festival period. Frankenthal’s StrandBad covers an area of 168,000 square metres, with mature trees, a swimming lake and large pools for swimmers and non-swimmers. Outside the bathing season, the grounds offer walkers and recreational athletes a place to relax and exercise. Petersau is part of Frankenthal’s municipal area and is a popular destination for walks along the Rhine. StrandBad and Petersau offer different ways to enjoy the outdoors: a complex with a lake and pools, or a walk by the river.

Architecture, Porcelain and Events

Frankenthal’s buildings offer a range of architectural points of interest. The ruins of the former Augustinian monastery in Frankenthal feature a magnificent Romanesque portal dating from the 12th century. The Church of the Holy Trinity is Baroque, while the Church of the Twelve Apostles is Neoclassical. Speyer Gate is considered a landmark of Frankenthal. Those interested in architecture can compare a Romanesque portal, two churches in different styles and a prominent city gate.

The Erkenbert Museum’s collection includes Frankenthal porcelain dating from 1755 to 1800. The permanent exhibition on the city’s history is currently closed during renovation. The former collegiate church serves another cultural purpose today: it hosts concerts and the open-air cinema run by Frankenthal’s Lux cinemas. If you would like to attend one of these events, check in advance which events are scheduled during your stay.

Plan Your Market Visit and City Tours

Frankenthal’s weekly market is held on Tuesdays and Fridays at Rathausplatz. It offers a wide range of goods, mostly regional products. If you plan to visit the market, you can combine the market days with your other activities; it is worth checking the current market regulations before your trip.

The 2026 city tour programme includes a guided city tour every Saturday at 2 p.m. from April to October; there is no tour in June because of the Straw Hat Festival. Participation is free, but registration is required. If you are travelling in a later year, check the programme in effect at that time.

Choose Your Travel Dates Based on Your Interests

If one of these experiences is important to you, check the specific dates before making your booking. This will help you plan your stay around the things that interest you most.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Neustadt An Der Weinstraße, Zweibrücken, Speyer, Worms, Mainz.

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