Altstadtfest Hersbruck

Three days of Old Town in exceptional state

The Altstadtfest Hersbruck is the highlight of the Hersbruck summer. On the first weekend of August, the entire historic old town becomes a festival mile: courtyards, squares, and alleys around the Oberer Markt fill with catering stands, stages, and thousands of visitors from the town and the entire region. Beer, Franconian and international specialties, music, and entertainment are the focus.

Opening, Stages, and Frühschoppen

The festival opens on Friday at 7 p.m. with the traditional beer tapping ceremony at the Oberer Markt and the Hersbrucker Stadtmusik. On the following days, bands play on several stages in the old town. Sunday begins with an ecumenical church service at the Oberer Markt with a brass choir, followed by the convivial Frühschoppen in the courtyards and inns of the old town.

The Donkey Race

A Hersbruck specialty is the donkey race on Sunday afternoon – a humorous competition that traditionally attracts many spectators and has long been a firm trademark of the festival. For families, there is also a children's program, including a bouncy castle and hands-on activities.

Hersbruck — Gateway to the Hersbrucker Alb

Hersbruck is located in the Nürnberger Land district in the state of Bavaria, east of Nuremberg on the Pegnitz river. The town is the starting point for hikes into the Hersbrucker Alb and is known for its well-preserved medieval townscape – the ideal backdrop for a festival that makes the old town itself the venue.