Even though it doesn't really feel like spring, I've got my fingers crossed that the snow will finally stop over the next couple of weeks so that we can see some sun and nice weather. With that hope in mind, here are the culinary happenings in the area during March and April to look forward to.
March 31st to April 3rd Markt des Guten Geschmacks -- This "slow food conference" at the Stuttgart Messe features "regional, sustainable, and artisanal" food from dairy, fruits, and sausages to wine and herbs. Tickets start at 13€ for the day. Though I haven't yet been, A Sausage Has Two has a great blog post on the event from last year that I'm using to prepare myself for this year.
April 2nd Lange Nacht der Museen -- I've done the "Long Night of the Museums" three times now and loved it every time. This is the night when all of Stuttgart's museums stay open late, and when all the little art galleries around the area open up to the public all at once. What makes this "culinary"? The many drinks that you can (and should) drink along the way, of course. You have to buy a ticket online or at once of the kiosks, but for just 17€ you can get into some of the most interesting, out-of-the way places in the city. I've had the chance to explore the underground bunker/abandoned hotel beneath the Rathaus, take a brief cruise up the Neckar, hear a Gregorian chant in a Mausoleum, drink champagne in an old train car, tour the inside of the Neues Schloss, view the inner workings of a hydroelectric turbine, and much more. Be sure to plan ahead and get your tickets early so that you can start seeing the museums right when they open at 7:00 pm if you want to beat the crowds.
April 2nd-3rd Esslinger Frühling -- According to Ami im Schwabenland, this spring festival in Esslingen features "a rubber duck race in the Neckar canals, a Wohnmesse (home exhibition?) in the Rathaus, and all kinds of gardening displays around town". She also says that some of the shops are even open on Sundays!
April 8th to 9th Lange Nacht der Weine -- This is a new event for Stuttgart that according to the website found success in Cologne last year. The event promises wine tasting from over 80 German wineries for the cost of the ticket (just 15€!) starting around 5 pm at the Nordbahnhof. After 9 pm, they say, is when the DJ starts playing. It's on my calendar!
April 16th to May 8th Stuttgarter Frühlingsfest -- Like the Wasen in September, the spring festival is just as big and just as fun, perhaps even more so because there are usually fewer tourists. You can go enjoy the (expensive) rides and games, or find a table in one of the tents to sing and Prost! the night away. They always have an extensive selection of food around the tents, too, from Döner to Currywurst, though you can also chow down on roasted chicken in the tents (but be forewarned that the food is a big more expensive there). The festival goes on for a good three weeks, so you've got plenty of time to say "Goodbye" to the winter blues and give a proper "Hello" to spring.
April 23rd Craft Beer Festival -- Another new event for Stuttgart, this one promises to bring together craft breweries from all over Germany for a day of tasting at Im Wizemann. According their Facebook page, streetfood and live music will also be on offer. We've already bought our tickets, so I'll let you know how it goes!
Do you know of any other events that I've missed that are in and around Stuttgart these next two months? Please share them in the comments below.