See the starry night sky over the Rhine River come alive with a thousand lights and flames this fall, as the annual firework show, Rhine in Flames (Rhein in Flammen) take place once more. The grand, musically-synchronised firework display has been drawing thousands of visitors to the city of Oberwesel since 1977.

What is Rhine in Flames?

Between May and September, selected cities, significant monuments and castles across the river Rhine are lit up with stunning firework displays on five separate evenings. Traditionally the first event of the year occurs in Bonn and is followed by further firework shows in Bingen / Rüdesheim, Spay-Koblenz, Oberwesel and St. Goar / St. Goarshausen.

The Rhine in Flames firework display in Oberwesel offers visitors the chance to enjoy a spectacular firework display, synchronised to music, from land, or from 50 festively-decorated special river cruise ships. With the medieval city acting as the ideal backdrop, you will experience a wonderful view as castles, palaces and the banks of the Rhine are illuminated by the spectacular fireworks show.

Programme for Rhine in Flames in Oberwesel 

The event organisers have made an extensive programme for this year's Rhine in Flames, which includes outdoor illumination, a wine market, music and - of course - fireworks!

• 1 pm - The wine market, located in the market square, opens with a gun salute. Set to run from September 13 to 16, local wineries offer their best vintages from traditional stands together with regional dishes. 
• 2.30 pm - The open-air concert begins, following by an afternoon of stage programming.
• 4.30 pm - 7.30 pm  - The river cruise ships begin boarding.
• 8.15 pm - The river cruise ship begins its procession to the legendary Lorelei rock. A Bengal fire is lit by the rock, as the ships sail past.
• 9.20 pm - As the ships cruise up the Rhine to Oberwesel, the convoy passes the “seven maidens”, a rock formation in the bed of the river, where the illumination begins. 
• 9.30 pm - The synchronised firework display, which is harmonised with a special selection of music, begins, lighting up the entire city. 
• 10 pm - The display over, the river ships sail back to their starting point while live music continues on at the fairground.  

Attending Rhine in Flames Oberwesel

Ready to board one of the illuminated river ships to enjoy a romantic cruise along the Rhine? Or keen to explore the city of Oberwesel while watching the firework display from land? For more information on this stunning event, and to purchase any tickets, head over to the Rhein in Flammen website.

All photos: © Dominik Ketz