Nuits du Pfifferdaj

When the Fête des Ménétriers Lights Up

While the Pfifferdaj is famous for its grand historical procession on Sunday, the festival truly begins on Saturday evening, when the medieval streets of Ribeauvillé are lit by torchlight. The Nuits du Pfifferdaj are the nocturnal and festive side of Alsace's oldest festival, offering a magical and enchanting atmosphere that only the exceptional setting of this wine-growing town at the foot of the three castles of Ribeau Pierre can provide.

The Torchlight Procession

The most emblematic moment of the Nuits du Pfifferdaj is the torchlight procession, which starts at 8:30 PM from Place de la République heading towards the Jardin de Ville. Hundreds of participants carrying flaming torches parade through the narrow streets of the old town, casting dancing shadows on the half-timbered facades and wrought-iron signs. The luminous procession, accompanied by music and songs, creates a striking spectacle that transports spectators to a timeless atmosphere, between the Middle Ages and contemporary magic.

Fanfare Parades and Ball Under a Marquee

After the torchlight procession, the festivities continue in the Grand'rue with the fanfare parades that liven up the streets with their brass sounds and lively rhythms. The musicians stop in front of the terraces of the winstubs and restaurants, creating spontaneous moments of connection with the public. In the Jardin de Ville, a large marquee hosts the popular ball from 7 PM, with food – tarte flambée, grilled meats, Alsatian specialties – and dancing until the heart of the night.

The Funfair at the Foot of the Castles

Throughout the Pfifferdaj, a funfair is set up in the Jardin de Ville, illuminated by a thousand lights at the foot of the majestic silhouettes of the castles of Saint-Ulrich, Girsberg, and Haut-Ribeau Pierre. Rides, game stalls, and fairground attractions complete the festive offering, making the Nuits du Pfifferdaj a family and nocturnal event. The funfair is open for about fifteen days, from late August to mid-September.

The Medieval Market at Night

On Saturday evening, the medieval market set up in the courtyard of the Médiathèque extends its hours until 9 PM, allowing visitors to stroll among the stalls of artisans and producers by candlelight and lamplight. Medieval jewelry, worked leather, mead, spices, and old-fashioned treats make up an authentic artisanal offering, in a remarkable heritage setting.

Ribeauvillé, an Exceptional Nocturnal Setting

Night reveals a different, more intimate and mysterious Ribeauvillé. The 15th and 16th-century half-timbered houses, the Renaissance fountains, the Tour des Bouchers, and the illuminated castle ruins create a fairytale backdrop that enhances the nocturnal festivities. It's also an opportunity to discover the great wines of the Ribeauvillé vineyard – Geisberg, Kirchberg de Ribeauvillé, Osterberg – served in the winstubs and terraces that stay open late for the occasion.