The beermeister gives Swanilda a stalk of wheat to test her love. Traditionally, if the wheat rattles when shaken, her love will be true. Swanilda and Franz dance with the wheat, but when she shakes it she hears nothing. Although Franz says he hears it, she refuses to believe him. The marriage appears to be off.
Dusk settles in and celebrates depart.
Dr. Coppelius emerges from his house, carefully locking the door and placing the key in his pocket. Some of the town bullies arrive on the scene and push Dr. Coppelius around and he drops the key. Swanilda and her friends appear, find the key and sneak into the house of the toymaker, Dr. Coppelius. Franz appears carrying a ladder that he pushes against the balcony of the house. As the curtain closes, Franz begins to climb up in search of Coppelia.