Celebrate one of Luxembourg’s favourite autumn festivals. The Veiner Nëssmoort (Vianden Nut Market) returns on Sunday, 12 October 2025, from 10:00 to 19:00. 

Every second Sunday in October, the medieval town of Vianden transforms into a paradise for nut lovers. The Veiner Nëssmoort is one of the country’s largest and most beloved autumn markets, attracting up to 20,000 visitors. It was first held in 1935 and at the start of the 1900s, Vianden was home to nearly 20% of Luxembourg’s walnut trees. 

After a wartime pause, the market resumed in 1970 and has flourished ever since. Local associations harvest walnuts using both modern machinery and traditional wooden sticks. The nuts are “shaken, peeled, washed and dried,” then offered alongside a rich variety of nut-based treats: walnut liqueur (“Nëssdrëpp”), cakes, oils, pâtés and more. Live music, medieval scenery and family-friendly activities make this festival a highlight for all generations. 

Nut trees are deeply rooted in regional life. Old family tales claim that Vianden’s farmers could predict the severity of winter by counting their walnuts. Local legends even speak of a hidden stash of magical walnuts in Vianden Castle – said to grant wisdom to anyone who finds them at midnight during the market.

Up to 20,000 people visit the Veiner Nëssmart on the second Sunday in October. Photo: @Visit Éislek-HYPE.

Language Fun: Word of the week 

• Nëss (Luxembourgish / phonetic: [nɛs]) – meaning nuts

Example sentence: At the Vianden Nut Market, you can taste delicious Nësstaart ([nɛstaːʀt], walnut tart). 

A taste of tradition: Luxembourg walnut tart (Nësstaart)   

Walnuts feature in many traditional autumn recipes across Luxembourg, but the star of the market is the walnut tart, known as “Nësstaart”. This classic dessert combines a rich walnut filling with caramel and buttery pastry – a true taste of the Vianden Nut Market! 

Find the original recipe here: Nësstaart on Sou schmaacht Lëtzebuerg 

Ingredients

• 200 g flour 
• 100 g cold butter 
• 80 g icing sugar 
• 1 egg yolk 
• Pinch of salt 

For the filling

• 200 g walnuts, roughly chopped 
• 150 g sugar 
• 50 ml cream 
• 1 tbsp honey 
• 1 tbsp butter 

Full preparation steps and photos are available on the official recipe site above. 

For Kids: “Wooow!!! Luxembourg”   

For curious young readers, the book “Wooow!!! Luxembourg” by Keong-A Song and Thomas Schoos is a colourful exploration of Luxembourg’s culture, sights and traditions. Charlotte and her owl Monsieur Hibou discover the country’s most beautiful places and legends, making it the perfect read to spark local pride and curiosity during autumn. 
The book is available in Luxembourgish, German, French and English editions. 

I hope this edition brings a little joy to your autumn days, and perhaps a new word, a new recipe, or a new melody to share. 

– Isabelle Frisch-Koopmans 

• This article is part of our “Inside Luxembourg” series, celebrating the stories, flavours and traditions that shape our local culture.