Name: 170 Years MRK Pappenheim — Anniversary Festival 2026
Start: 2026-07-31T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-08-02T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Festplatz auf der Lach

170 Years MRK Pappenheim

About 170 Years MRK Pappenheim

The Military and Reservists Association (MRK) Pappenheim is celebrating its 170th anniversary in 2026 with a four-day festival on the Lach. From July 31st to August 2nd, the program includes a soldier's oath ceremony in the castle courtyard, an opening evening with the Reservists Bigband Baden-Württemberg, a ceremonial act with Vice-Minister President Hubert Aiwanger, a concert by Dorfrocker, and a final Schafkopf tournament. In the 15x39-meter festival tent with Hofmühl beer.

Dates 31 Jul — 02 Aug 2026

Venue Pappenheim (09577)

Prices —

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

170 Years MRK Pappenheim — edition 2026

From July 31 to August 2, 2026, the Military and Reservists Association Pappenheim is celebrating its 170th anniversary with a three-day festival on the Lach. Friday features a soldier's oath ceremony in the castle courtyard and an opening concert with the Reservists Bigband Baden-Württemberg, Saturday includes a ceremonial act with Vice-Minister President Hubert Aiwanger and a Dorfrocker concert, and Sunday concludes with a Schafkopf tournament and festivities with the Schützenkapelle Meinheim.

The 170th Anniversary Festival of MRK Pappenheim takes place from Friday, July 31st, to Sunday, August 2nd, 2026, on the Lach festival grounds. The organizer is the Military and Reservists Association Pappenheim. Hofmühl beer will be served in the 15x39-meter festival tent.

Highlights 170 Years MRK Pappenheim 2026

Public soldier's oath ceremony in Pappenheim Castle Courtyard
Reservists Bigband Baden-Württemberg on Friday
Ceremonial speech by Vice-Minister President Hubert Aiwanger on Saturday
Concert with Dorfrocker on Saturday evening
Schafkopf tournament on Sunday
15x39 m festival tent with Hofmühl beer
170 years of MRK club history since 1856

Programme 170 Years MRK Pappenheim 2026

Program 170 Years MRK Pappenheim 2026

Friday, July 31, 2026
- Afternoon — Public oath ceremony for soldiers in Pappenheim Castle Courtyard
- Evening — Festival opening in the tent, member honors
- Concert with the Reservists Bigband Baden-Württemberg (Swing, Rock, Pop, vocal performances)
Saturday, August 1, 2026
- Morning — Musical walk through the old town
- 10:30 AM — Ecumenical service
- 1:00 PM — Ceremonial act with a speech by Vice-Minister President Hubert Aiwanger
- 8:30 PM — Concert by Dorfrocker
Sunday, August 2, 2026
- 10:00 AM — Schafkopf tournament (Bavarian card game)
- Afternoon — Festival finale with the Schützenkapelle Meinheim

Prices 170 Years MRK Pappenheim 2026

Festival tent operations generally with free admission. For the Dorfrocker concert on Saturday evening, an admission fee may apply; current prices are available on the festival website or from MRK Pappenheim.

Practical information

Practical information — 170 Years MRK Pappenheim

Getting There

By car via the B 2 (Augsburg–Nuremberg), turn off for Pappenheim. By train to Pappenheim (Treuchtlingen–Weißenburg line). The festival grounds on the Lach are on the western outskirts of town and are about a 15-minute walk from the train station.

Parking

Parking on the Lach is closed from July 24th to August 7th, 2026. Alternative parking in the town center.

Admission

Admission to the festival tent is generally free, except for special events with headline artists (the Dorfrocker concert may be ticketed). Exact prices can be found on the festival website.

A Reservists Association Since 1856

In 2026, the Military and Reservists Association (MRK) Pappenheim looks back on 170 years of club history. Founded in 1856 — during the Kingdom of Bavaria — it is one of the oldest military tradition associations in Middle Franconia. Its mission today: fostering camaraderie among reservists and veterans, preserving traditions, participating in memorial days and remembrance culture, and engaging socially in the town of Pappenheim.

Soldier's Oath Ceremony in the Castle Courtyard

A highlight of the festival week is the public oath ceremony for soldiers in the historic Pappenheim Castle Courtyard. The castle of the Counts of Pappenheim is one of the most impressive Renaissance castles in the Altmühltal valley. The oath ceremony in this historical setting is a deliberately staged gesture of connection between the Bundeswehr, reservists, and the town.

Festival Tent on the Lach

The main festivities will take place on the Lach festival grounds. A large festival tent measuring 15 by 39 meters will be erected, along with shooting galleries, food stalls, and beer from the local Hofmühl brewery. Parking on the Lach will not be possible from July 24th to August 7th, 2026, due to setup and dismantling.

High-Caliber Program

The MRK Pappenheim has put together a program for its anniversary that is attracting attention beyond the region:

Reservists Bigband Baden-Württemberg — a diverse program with Swing, Rock, and Pop, featuring vocal performances on the opening evening
Vice-Minister President Hubert Aiwanger — keynote speaker on Saturday
Dorfrocker — one of the most famous Bavarian-Franconian party bands on Saturday evening
Schützenkapelle Meinheim — musical accompaniment on the festival Sunday
Schafkopf tournament — a traditional Bavarian card game to conclude the festival

Pappenheim in the Altmühltal

Pappenheim is located on the Altmühl river, about 25 km south of Weißenburg in the Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen district. The town is the ancestral seat of the Counts of Pappenheim, whose castle and fortress shape the historical silhouette. It is part of the Altmühltal Nature Park and a popular starting point for cycling tours along the Altmühl, hikes in the Jura region, and visits to the nearby Limes UNESCO World Heritage sites. A festival visit can be ideally combined with a city tour and a castle tour.