Pfifferdaj - Festival of the Minstrels
Alsace's oldest festival, a medieval tribute to the minstrels of Ribeauvillé
About Pfifferdaj
The Pfifferdaj: Six Centuries of Tradition in the Heart of the Alsatian Vineyard
The Pfifferdaj, literally "the day of the fifes" in Alsatian, is much more than a simple medieval festival: it is a living heritage dating back to the 14th century. Every first Sunday of September, the charming town of Ribeauvillé, nestled at the foot of the three castles of Ribeaupierre on the Alsace Wine Route, celebrates the memory of the minstrels—those traveling musicians, acrobats, and jugglers who roamed the roads of Europe in the Middle Ages.
The Heritage of the Lords of Ribeau Pierre
In the Middle Ages, the lords of Ribeau Pierre granted their protection to the brotherhood of Alsatian minstrels, which established its headquarters in Ribeauvillé in 1481. Each year, the musicians gathered there to elect their king and celebrate their art. This tradition, unique in Europe, has endured through the centuries and forms the basis of the Festival of the Minstrels today, with the first written record dating back to the 14th century.
The Grand Historical Procession
The highlight of the Pfifferdaj is the grand historical procession, which parades through the streets of the old town on Sunday afternoon. More than a thousand participants in medieval costumes—minstrels, jugglers, fire-eaters, dancers, knights, and ladies of the court—accompany decorated floats and brass bands, following a theme renewed each year, drawing from medieval history and legends.
The procession is a true journey back in time, punctuated by music, dances, and skits that bring the Middle Ages back to life in all its splendor. The public is invited to vote for their favorite floats, and the results are announced at a festive ceremony the following day.
A Weekend of Medieval Festivities
The festivities extend throughout the weekend. On Saturday, a medieval market is set up in the courtyard of the media library, offering arts and crafts, local produce, and Alsatian specialties. Medieval music groups entertain the streets throughout the day. In the evening, a torchlight procession illuminates the town before a ball and a festive evening under a marquee.
On Sunday morning, the minstrels of the Harmonie municipale Vogesia awaken the town from the Tour des Bouchers, before the festivities resume with the medieval market and street performances, in prelude to the grand procession in the afternoon.
A Unique Atmosphere on the Wine Route
The setting of Ribeauvillé, with its half-timbered houses, Renaissance fountains, and cobbled streets dominated by the silhouettes of the castles of Saint-Ulrich, Girsberg, and Haut-Ribeau Pierre, offers an exceptional natural backdrop for this medieval festival. It is also an opportunity to discover the great crus of the Ribeauvillé vineyard—Geisberg, Kirchberg, Osterberg—and to taste Alsatian gastronomic specialties in a warm and authentic atmosphere.
Pfifferdaj — edition 2026
The 636th edition of the Fête des Ménétriers (Pfifferdaj) takes place from Friday, September 5 to Monday, September 7, 2026 in Ribeauvillé, on the theme « The Pied Piper of Ribeauvillé ». The oldest festival in Alsace offers its grand historical parade on Sunday, September 6 at 2:30 PM, preceded by a weekend of medieval festivities: medieval market, street entertainment, torchlight procession, and ball under a big top. A funfair illuminates the Jardin de Ville at the foot of the castles from August 28 to September 13.
636th edition — September 5 to 7, 2026
The Pfifferdaj returns for its 636th edition from September 5 to 7, 2026, on the theme « The Pied Piper of Ribeauvillé ». The grand historical parade, the highlight of the festival, takes place on Sunday, September 6 at 2:30 PM, starting from Place de la République, with over a thousand costumed participants, decorated floats, and brass bands.
Saturday, September 5 — Pfifferdaj Nights
- 10 AM – 9 PM — Medieval market in the courtyard of the Médiathèque
- 11 AM – 6 PM — Street entertainment by the Skadefryd company
- From 7 PM — Ball and catering under a big top in the Jardin de Ville
- 8:30 PM — Torchlight procession, starting from Place de la République, followed by brass band parades in the Grand'rue
Sunday, September 6 — the grand parade
- 9 AM — Wake-up call by the Ménétriers of the Harmonie municipale Vogesia at the Tour des Bouchers
- 10 AM – 7 PM — Medieval market and musical entertainment in the Grand'rue and on the squares
- 1:30 PM — Gathering of the Ménétriers d'Alsace and parade of brass bands
- 2:30 PM — Grand historical parade « The Pied Piper of Ribeauvillé », starting from Place de la République (Haute Ville)
- After the parade — Wine fountain and ball under a big top
Monday, September 7
- 5 PM — Musical serenade, announcement of the float competition results and prize-giving
Around the festival
The funfair sets up in the Jardin de Ville, illuminated at the foot of the Ribeaupierre castles, from August 28 to September 13, 2026. The pilgrimage procession to Notre-Dame de Dusenbach takes place on Sunday, September 13 at 9 AM.
Programme Pfifferdaj 2026
Highlights Pfifferdaj 2026
- 636th edition of the Fête des Ménétriers — theme « The Pied Piper of Ribeauvillé »
- Grand historical parade on Sunday, September 6 at 2:30 PM, over a thousand costumed participants
- Torchlight procession on Saturday evening at 8:30 PM
- Medieval market in the courtyard of the Médiathèque (Saturday and Sunday)
- Funfair from August 28 to September 13 at the foot of the Ribeaupierre castles
Prices Pfifferdaj 2026
Practical information — Pfifferdaj
Practical Information
Access and Transport
By car: Ribeauvillé is accessible via the A35 motorway (exit 20), then the D106. Parking lots are available on the outskirts of the town during the festival. Allow 45 minutes from Strasbourg and 15 minutes from Colmar.
By train: Colmar station (15 km), then shuttle or bus to Ribeauvillé.
Prices
Adult and youth ticket (12 years and +): €10, child (6-12 years): €5, free for children under 6. Entrance tickets do not include reserved seating for the procession (supplementary charge).
Opening Hours
Saturday: Medieval market from 10 am to 9 pm, street entertainment from 11 am to 6 pm, torchlight procession at 8:30 pm. Sunday: Medieval market from 10 am to 7 pm, grand historical procession at 2:30 pm.
Food and Drink
On-site catering with stands offering Alsatian specialties (tarte flambée, choucroute, pretzels) and terraces of restaurants in the old town.
Contact
Ribeauvillé Town Hall. Tel: 03 89 73 20 04. Website: www.ribeauville.fr
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Where does it take place — Pfifferdaj
Centre historique de Ribeauvillé
Centre-ville, 68150 Ribeauvillé