42nd Old Town Festival Bad Staffelstein

42 Years of Town Festival in the Obermain Jura

The Altstadtfest Bad Staffelstein is one of the most traditional town festivals in Upper Franconia. 2026 marks the 42nd edition. The small town on the Upper Main – birthplace of Adam Ries, the 16th-century master of arithmetic – transforms into an open stage for medieval times, music, and children's entertainment for one July weekend. People from the entire Lichtenfels district and surrounding regions come to the festival, along with tourists from the spa facilities in the Adam Ries town.

Medieval Times on the Market Square

The core of the festival is the medieval program on the market square. Craftsmen in authentic costumes present various traditional trades – blacksmiths, turners, basket weavers, potters, leatherworkers. Musicians roam the alleys, camp followers serve mead and beer, and a camp life shows medieval times you can touch. The historical atmosphere is complemented by dance and music performances, show fights, and medieval culinary delights.

Parade and Fashion Show

The highlight on Saturday is a colorful parade in front of the town hall with traditional costume and medieval garb groups, followed by a grand fashion show of historical costumes. The town showcases how many local clubs and guilds participate in the festival – from medieval associations to the town band.

Music Program – and the Night Run

Parallel to the medieval program, rock and cover bands play on several stages. Friday evening kicks off with a big open-air concert on the market square, combined with the Adam Ries Night Run – a city run through the historic alleys, for which amateur athletes from the region register. The weekend concludes on Sunday evening with an impressive fire show set to medieval music.

Bad Staffelstein and the Gottesgartenland

Bad Staffelstein is located in the Lichtenfels district in Upper Franconia (Bavaria), in the middle of the so-called Gottesgarten am Obermain – a region with the Vierzehnheiligen Basilica, Banz Abbey, and the Staffelberg hill. Visitors to the Altstadtfest can combine their stay with hikes to the Staffelberg, a visit to the Basilica, or a spa treatment at the thermal baths.