From 13 to 16 August 2026 the Cuxhaven wine festival takes over the Kurpark in Döse – four days of wine under large chestnut trees, with free entry. A wine festival on the North Sea coast sounds like a contradiction at first. That is exactly the appeal: German winegrowers pour their wines, with live music on the open-air stage.
Here are the dates, times and routes – plus the point many people think about too late: how to get back if you actually want to taste.
At a glance
| Dates | Thursday 13 to Sunday 16 August 2026 |
| Times | Thu–Sat 13:00–00:00 · Sun 13:00–19:00 (status: July 2026) |
| Location | Kurpark Döse, Strandstraße 80, 27476 Cuxhaven – square in front of the open-air stage |
| Entry | free, children's programme included |
| Stallholders | 10 to 15 winegrowers |
| Thursday | children's and games festival in the afternoon, small festival of lights in the evening |
| Parking | paid car parks at the Messeplatz and the Kugelbake-Halle (access via Nordfeldstraße) |
| From Nordseezimmer | around 20 km, roughly half an hour by car |
| More information | Winzerfest at Nordseeheilbad Cuxhaven |
What happens at the wine festival
For four days the Kurpark in Cuxhaven-Döse turns into a wine garden. 10 to 15 winegrowers are on site, with wines from various German growing regions. That is what makes it different from a drinks stall: you ask the people who made the wine, right there at the stand. All details in this article come from the event page of Nordseeheilbad Cuxhaven GmbH, as of July 2026.
Everything is set up on the square in front of the open-air stage, under large chestnut trees. There is live music on the stage every day, kept danceable. If wine is not your thing: beer, soft drinks and alcohol-free wine are available too. One note on who runs what, because the two are easily confused: the wine festival is staged by a company specialising in wine festivals, not by the city, which lists it in its tourism calendar.
Dates, times and entry
The festival runs from Thursday 13 to Sunday 16 August 2026, 13:00 to 00:00 on Thursday to Saturday and 13:00 to 19:00 on Sunday. Entry is free, and so is the children's programme – you only pay for what crosses the counter.
Two days stand out: Thursday brings the programme for children, and Sunday is the only day that closes as early as 19:00. If you want to stay until midnight, Thursday to Saturday are your days. Because event times can still shift, a quick look at the official page before you travel does no harm.
Otterndorf is around 20 km from the Kurpark Döse – quiet residential area, private parking space, self check-in around the clock even if you arrive late. Bookable from one night, no single supplement, WiFi, visitor's tax and coffee included.
Check 13–16 AugustWhat there is to eat and drink
The stalls serve food to go with the wine – cheese, ham and olives as snacks, plus specialities such as flame-grilled salmon, winegrower's steak from the swinging grill and crêpes. That is enough for a whole evening, so you do not need to eat beforehand.
Going with children? Then pick the Thursday
The first day is the most family-friendly one. Thursday afternoon brings a children's and games festival in the Kurpark, organised by the Fun Team, and the evening a small festival of lights with hundreds of candles. Entry is free and so is the children's programme. For families that is the obvious combination: games in the afternoon, candles in the park in the evening, and the adults still get their glass.
Getting there, parking and the journey home
From Otterndorf it is around 20 kilometres to Cuxhaven-Döse, roughly half an hour by car. Parking is paid, at the Messeplatz and the Kugelbake-Halle, reached via Nordfeldstraße, plus five disabled parking spaces. By bus, lines 1006 and 1010 stop at Kugelbake.
And now the point an article about a wine festival should not skip: tasting wine and driving yourself home do not go together. If you want to taste, sort out the journey home first – one person in the group drives, or you check bus, train and taxi in advance. There is a direct rail connection between Otterndorf and Cuxhaven with a short journey time; how late it runs in the evening depends on the day and the timetable year, so check the current timetable rather than relying on this page. If the festival runs until midnight and you want to stay to the end, that is not a side issue.
What else to do around it
The festival only starts at 13:00, so half the day is free for something else. One obvious stop is the Kugelbake, the wooden navigation mark that gives its name to the bus stop for the festival and to the Kugelbake-Halle. A good second stop in Cuxhaven is the Alte Liebe – our article explains why the viewing platform is worth the detour.
One note, because it keeps causing confusion: if you find a fish market in the Seekurpark announced online for that weekend – it no longer exists. Our article explains where to buy fresh fish in Cuxhaven and Otterndorf instead. And if you are planning the weekend as a couple, you will find more ideas in a romantic weekend on the North Sea.
If you can choose, take the Thursday: the children's and games festival runs in the afternoon, and the small festival of lights with hundreds of candles follows in the evening – neither happens on any other day. And if you prefer a short visit, come on Sunday: it closes at 19:00, so you are back in Otterndorf early.
Back to the Nordseezimmer
After four hours of chestnut trees, music and conversations with winegrowers, a quiet night is the best thing that can follow. Both Koje and Koi have their own bathroom, a large 180×200 bed and free WiFi. Handy for festival visitors: self check-in via key box works around the clock – however late it gets, nobody is waiting up for you.
Frequently asked questions
When is the Cuxhaven wine festival 2026?
From Thursday 13 to Sunday 16 August 2026 in the Kurpark Döse: 13:00 to 00:00 on Thursday to Saturday, and 13:00 to 19:00 on Sunday. These times come from the event page of Nordseeheilbad Cuxhaven GmbH, as of July 2026 – worth a check there shortly before you travel.
How much is entry to the wine festival?
Entry is free and so is the children's programme. You only pay for what you eat and drink at the stalls.
Where exactly is the wine festival held and where can I park?
In the Kurpark Döse, Strandstraße 80, 27476 Cuxhaven – on the square in front of the open-air stage, under large chestnut trees. Parking is paid, at the Messeplatz and the Kugelbake-Halle, reached via Nordfeldstraße, plus five disabled parking spaces. By bus, lines 1006 and 1010 stop at Kugelbake.
Is the wine festival suitable for families?
Yes, especially on the Thursday: there is a children's and games festival in the Kurpark on the first afternoon, organised by the Fun Team, and a small festival of lights with hundreds of candles in the evening. Alongside wine, the stalls also serve beer, soft drinks and alcohol-free wine.
Wine festival in Döse, quiet night in Otterndorf
Two rooms in a quiet residential area, around 20 km from the Kurpark. Self check-in 24/7, private parking space, everything included. Bookable from one night, no single supplement.
Check availability in August View rooms9.4 / 10 on Booking.com · Catharinenweg 4, 21762 Otterndorf