The modest onion is the main focus of this famous market, held every October in Weimar, Thuringia. Onions of all shapes and sizes are plaited together in a traditional way and decorated with dried flowers of various colours before being displayed at different stands throughout the weekend.
Over 500 stands and stalls are set up in the city centre during the Onion Market (Weimarer Zwiebelmarkt), where vendors offer different types of onions, onion braids and onion garlands, as well as onion-related German dishes, German beer and more! Next to onions, visitors can also shop local handicrafts, souvenirs, vegetables, fruit and spices.
Visitors can also apply to become this year's Onion Market Queen and receive the privilege of representing Weimar and its famous festival. Next to featuring everything onion, different stages are set up across the market, where a variety of artists will be performing during the weekend.
Here are the opening hours:
The music and fun go on much later than the market itself, so you can bank on making a whole day of it.
The oldest and most popular festival in Thuringia, the first Onion Market took place in 1653 as a “market for beasts and onions.” Over the years the market expanded, becoming a major onion purchasing hub for central Germany during the nineteenth century. The World Wars led to a decline of the market in the early twentieth century, but interest was renewed in the 1950s, and by 1971 a record 200.000 visitors were attending each year.
In the 1990s the Onion Market was extended to become a three-day event once more, and since then it has grown exponentially, attracting 350.000 visitors annually.
The best way to get to the Onion Market, if you’re not staying overnight, is via public transport. If you do drive to the festival, then the closest parking area is by the Kaufland supermarket.
For all the details on the Onion Market, head on over to the official Weimar tourist website.