State Garden Show Upper Hesse 2027: Discover, experience, and visit Bad Vilbel.
From April 22 to October 3, 2027, Upper Hesse will become a grand stage for gardens, nature, culture, and regional diversity. The Upper Hesse 2027 State Garden Show is something very special: for the first time, a Hessian State Garden Show will not take place in just one location. Eleven towns and municipalities from the Wetterau district and Vogelsberg district are making the Upper Hesse 2027 State Garden Show an inter-municipal experience.
And even if Bad Vilbel itself is not a venue for the State Garden Show, a detour to the Spring City is particularly worthwhile.
165 Days of State Garden Show in Upper Hesse
From April 22 to October 3, 2027, the Upper Hesse State Garden Show invites visitors for 165 days to discover an extraordinary region. Participating towns include Büdingen, Echzell, Glauburg, Gedern, Hirzenhain, Kefenrod, Limeshain, Nidda, Ortenberg, and Ranstadt from the Wetterau district, as well as Schotten from the Vogelsberg district.
In total, 88 villages and more than 90,000 citizens belong to the State Garden Show. This makes the LGS 2027 not just a garden show, but a major regional project.
Upper Hesse showcases its full diversity: rivers and floodplains, traditional orchards, lakes, forests, and traces of a millennia-old history. Celts and Romans have left their marks, as has the Middle Ages. Added to this is the special landscape shaped by the region’s volcanic past.
Garden Diversity Meets Nature and a Spirit of Discovery
Naturally, flowers, plants, and gardens are at the heart of a State Garden Show. Inspiring show gardens, seasonal plantings, medicinal plants, and vegetable gardens offer numerous ideas for garden enthusiasts.
However, the Upper Hesse 2027 State Garden Show aims to be more than a classic garden show. New meeting places, hands-on activities, and educational programs make the LGS an experience for different generations.
Nature, culture, and history of the region are connected through so-called Discovery Routes and Discovery Stations. A dense network of cycling and hiking trails invites visitors to explore Upper Hesse beyond the central garden show areas.
This makes the State Garden Show an invitation to stay longer and discover the region as a whole.
Three Special Parks: Bad Salzhausen, Gedern, and Büdingen
Special focuses of the LGS 2027 are in Nidda-Bad Salzhausen, Gedern, and Büdingen. Three locations, three different concepts – and in all of them, green and experience spaces are being created that will remain even after the State Garden Show.
Bad Salzhausen: Spa Park with New Experience Areas
The 52-hectare spa park in Bad Salzhausen is being carefully further developed. Play and adventure islands for families and those seeking relaxation are being created among the old trees. The drinking cure facility, the Landgrafenteich pond, paths, springs, and sanitary facilities are also undergoing extensive renovation.
A multi-generational playground is intended to make the spa park a place for various age groups. The development is complemented by the planned new thermal bath with a hotel, wellness area, and gastronomy.
Gedern: From Castle Park to Lively Meeting Place
The terraced castle park is one of Gedern’s showpieces. Among other things, a kitchen garden is being created here, which will continue to be used as a school garden after the State Garden Show.
Barrier-free paths, a park promenade, historical and modern lighting, an adventure playground, an orchard, a boules court, and a climate garden create a versatile park. RV pitches, a new parking lot, and a festival and play meadow are also part of the development.
Büdingen: City Park with a Future
A new park is being created in the heart of Büdingen, combining leisure and climate adaptation. A central element are the so-called rain gardens, which store water and thus contribute to flood protection.
Future trees, a grove, play and sports areas, a streetball and calisthenics zone, and meeting points make the new city park a versatile place to stay. A special eye-catcher is the City Sofa – a stage, meeting point, and seating furniture all in one.
1,500 to 2,000 Events During the LGS
The Upper Hesse 2027 State Garden Show naturally also includes an extensive event program. A total of 1,500 to 2,000 events are planned.
From Monday to Thursday, culture is on the program from 2:30 PM to 4:30 PM on the core grounds. On Fridays, the stages are opened for various event formats. On weekends, guests can expect a varied program from 10:30 AM to 5 PM. Saturdays and Sundays each have their own theme.
Planned events include a flower festival, a Night-of-Light party to kick off the big light festival, performances by the State Youth Symphony Orchestra, floral competitions, young gardeners’ championships, a wine festival, a Celtic show, dragon and children’s festivals, readings, and a choir weekend.
A special highlight: children’s concerts are planned in all 88 districts. A large harvest festival is also part of the program.
Events are generally covered by the day or season ticket. Season ticket holders are also eligible for discounts at possible external events.
After the State Garden Show: Why a Detour to Bad Vilbel is Worthwhile
Those who visit the Upper Hesse 2027 State Garden Show should take the opportunity to discover the region a little longer. Because around the LGS there are numerous other excursion destinations – and Bad Vilbel is just a stone’s throw away.
The Spring City on the Nidda combines nature, culture, events, gastronomy, and shopping opportunities, making it an ideal destination for an additional day trip or a stopover.
Culture Under the Open Sky: the Bad Vilbel Castle Festival
From the State Garden Show, the journey continues to one of the region’s cultural highlights: the Bad Vilbel Castle Festival. An varied program of drama, comedy, musical, and children’s and youth theater is offered every year in the historic moated castle in the middle of the city.
The special atmosphere of the medieval castle makes a visit a unique cultural experience.
Concerts and Events in the VILCO
The VILCO Bad Vilbel also offers a diverse program throughout the year. Concerts, shows, comedy, readings, and other events ensure that a visit to Bad Vilbel is also worthwhile in the evening.
Those who explore the State Garden Show during the day and then want to experience culture can ideally extend their excursion.
Spring Festival at Pentecost
A special date in the event calendar is the Spring Festival at Pentecost. Bad Vilbel then transforms for several days into a large meeting point for visitors from the region.
Around the springs, Nidda, and city center, there are events, music, gastronomy, and numerous offers for the whole family.
Active on the Go at the Spring Run
Those who want to experience Upper Hesse and the region actively can discover Bad Vilbel at the Spring Run. The running event leads around the Spring City and offers different distances for runners and walkers.
So, if you’re looking for exercise after a day among gardens, parks, and Discovery Stations, Bad Vilbel offers a suitable opportunity.
Shopping, Strolling, and Enjoying
And of course, an excursion doesn’t always have to be associated with a big event. Bad Vilbel’s city center invites you to stroll, shop, eat, and linger. Small and large shops, gastronomy, cafés, and the paths along the Nidda make the Spring City a worthwhile destination for a relaxed outing.
Discover Upper Hesse – and Take Bad Vilbel With You
The Upper Hesse 2027 State Garden Show is an invitation to discover a diverse region anew or again. It combines garden art and nature with culture, history, movement, and regional identity.
Those who come to the Upper Hesse 2027 State Garden Show therefore do not have to limit their visit to the official garden show areas. The region offers numerous opportunities to extend your stay and get to know other places.
Bad Vilbel is a worthwhile destination for a detour. Whether it’s the Castle Festival, a concert in the VILCO, the Spring Festival, the Spring Run, shopping, or simply a relaxed stroll along the Nidda: a visit to the Spring City can be wonderfully combined with a journey of discovery through Upper Hesse.
Visit the 2027 State Garden Show, discover Upper Hesse, and experience Bad Vilbel – the region is worth a trip.
Further information and tickets for the 2027 State Garden Show can be found here: State Garden Show Upper Hesse 2027
