Discover Eppelheim: Water Tower, Theatre and Festivals

Eppelheim showcases its distinctive local history, a season programme ranging from theatre to music, and festivals with a long tradition. There are also plenty of reasons to spend time outdoors together: you can picnic in the town park, and there is a skate park at the Capri-Sonne Sports Centre. You can shape your stay around your interests, choosing between architecture, performing arts, local traditions and leisure activities.

Water Tower and Local History

Eppelheim’s water tower was handed over to the municipality, as it was then, by the company Stephan und Schneider in 1907, after almost a year of construction. Its brickwork, contrasting sandstone plinth and replica arcade define its appearance. At 47.6 metres, it remained Eppelheim’s tallest structure until the 1970s. The water tank held 220 cubic metres; its natural drop provided the necessary pressure in the local water pipes. Today, the listed tower is considered a landmark of the town and houses a wedding room. The first German Rabbit Museum opened on the ground floor in 2009.

The Pauluskirche offers another historical detail: its Late Gothic tower portal dates from the 15th century and is the oldest part of a building in Eppelheim. The water tower and church portal bring two different chapters of local history into view—from the former water supply to an architectural testament to the Late Gothic period.

Theatre, Traditions and Festivals

The Rudolf-Wild-Halle offers an annual season programme featuring classical and modern theatre, comedy, cabaret, regional dialect and music for all ages. Individual performances and dates vary; check the programme for your planned visit.

The Sommertagszug is an old custom that symbolically drives winter away for good. It proceeds on the second Sunday after Easter from the town hall to the festival site in the car park of the Rhein-Neckar-Halle. For generations, the Eppelheim Kerwe street festival has been celebrated on the first weekend in October. Tents and stalls offer food from the region and the twin towns. If you are travelling for a particular festival, check the announced dates.

At the Eppelheim Christmas Village, you can discover Christmas crafts and delicacies over two days. At the same time as festivities take place in the forecourt of the Rudolf-Wild-Halle, a craft market is held inside the hall. In front of the hall, kindergartens, schools, associations and other performers put on a stage programme; programme content may vary. Unlike the Kerwe, with its offerings from the region and the twin towns, the Christmas Village also puts crafts and stage performances centre stage.

Leisure in the Town Park and at the Skate Park

The town park offers a lawn where you can picnic, as well as a play area with a pirate ship. It combines a relaxing stay in green surroundings with a dedicated play area for children. The skate park at the Capri-Sonne Sports Centre has three ramps of varying gradients and sizes. If you plan to use it, check its current availability on site before your visit.

The Gisela-Mierke-Bad offers regular swimming for the general public. Check the latest opening details before your visit. The town park, skate park and swimming pool offer different kinds of leisure activities; which ones suit your stay depends on whether you plan to picnic, skate or swim.

Historical Highlights in the Rhine-Neckar District

The wider Rhine-Neckar district also has its own historical highlights: the Electoral Palace of Schwetzingen has a Rococo theatre and a world-famous park. In the historic centre of Ladenburg, large parts of the townscape still reflect the Middle Ages and, in some places, Roman times. These regional examples add further themes to Eppelheim’s local history without conflating the different places.

Discover more destinations: Reichartshausen, Schriesheim, Meckesheim, Heiligkreuzsteinach, Neckargemünd, Hemsbach, Hilsbach, Rauenberg

Back to the regional travel overview: Rhine-Neckar district.