Altötting Hofdult

Over 640 Years of Market Rights and Volksfest

The Altötting Hofdult is one of Bavaria's oldest documented Volksfests. Its roots trace back to 1383, when Altötting received market rights and a Pentecost market was established. The word "Dult" comes from the Old High German "tult" — a festive period, a time of rest. According to the organizers' philosophy, the Dult remains a "time out" from everyday life to this day.

Two Beer Tents: Hell and Detter

Unlike most Volksfests in Bavaria, the Altötting Hofdult features two independent beer tents, both operated by long-established innkeeper families: Family Hell and Family Detter. Both establishments have been connected to the Hofdult for generations. Live music plays daily in the tents (brass bands at midday, party bands in the evening), serving classic Bavarian tavern dishes — roast pork, roast beef, pork knuckle, Kasspatzen, bratwurst — and beer from regional breweries.

The Dult Procession

One of the highlights is the traditional Dult procession on the first Saturday at 2 PM — a festive parade through Altötting's town center with traditional costume groups, brass bands, horse-drawn carriages, and the festival hosts. The route leads from the town center to the Dultplatz.

Themed Days Over the Ten Festival Days

• Opening Day (Friday, May 29th) — Keg tapping at 5 PM
• First Saturday — Dult procession at 2 PM through the town center
• First Sunday — Volksfest Sunday, classic family day
• First Monday — Seniors' Afternoon from 2 PM
• First Tuesday — Children's Day 2 PM–8 PM with games and reduced ride prices, combined with the "Day of the District"
• Last Sunday (June 7th) — Brass Band Gathering from 12:30 PM at Kapellplatz, followed by a procession of the bands to the Dultplatz; Family Day and Dult finale

Dult Raffle and "Shop and Win"

From May 18th to June 7th, 2026, the traditional "Shop and Win" Dult raffle organized by the Altötting Business Association will take place — customers of Altötting shops receive raffle tickets, with the main prizes drawn at the Dult finale. A nice connection between downtown retail and the festival grounds.

Altötting — Pilgrimage and Volksfest in One

With the Black Madonna in the Chapel of Grace, Altötting is one of the most important pilgrimage centers in German-speaking countries (around one million pilgrims annually). The fact that such a traditional pilgrimage town also maintains a 640-year-old Volksfest tradition is part of Altötting's unique profile — sacred dignity and Bavarian conviviality side by side. Those who want to experience both will find it at the Hofdult.