Name: Arberkirchweih 2026
Start: 2026-08-23T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-08-23T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Arberkapelle, Großer Arber (1456 m)

Arberkirchweih

About Arberkirchweih

Every year on the second to last Sunday in August, pilgrims, traditional costume wearers, and hikers celebrate the Arberkirchweih on the 1,456-meter-high Großer Arber — the oldest mountain Kirchweih in the Bavarian Forest. A pilgrimage leads from the Arberebene mountain rescue hut to the small Arber Chapel near the summit, where the solemn mountain service takes place. Afterwards, guests head to the two mountain huts, Eisensteiner Hütte and Arberschutzhaus, where brass music, traditional dances, and folk songs characterize a convivial mountain Sunday.

Dates 23 Aug — 23 Aug 2026

Venue Lohberg (09372)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Arberkirchweih — edition 2026

The 2026 Arberkirchweih will take place on the second to last Sunday in August — August 23, 2026. As every year, the day begins with the pilgrimage from the Arberebene mountain rescue hut to the Arber Chapel (start 9:30 AM) and the solemn mountain service at 10:30 AM. Afterwards, the celebration continues in the Eisensteiner Hütte and Arberschutzhaus mountain huts with brass music, traditional dances, and East Bavarian delicacies.

The 62nd consecutive Arberkirchweih will take place on the summit of the Großer Arber. As every year since 1965, pilgrims, hikers, and traditional costume wearers from the entire Bavarian Forest and neighboring Bohemia gather to celebrate the region's highest mountain together.

The mountain service is traditionally celebrated by the priest from Lam and musically accompanied by the male choir and a brass band from the Lamer Winkel. In good weather, this takes place outdoors in front of the chapel; in case of rain, it is held inside the chapel and in the surrounding area.

After the service, festival guests hike to the mountain huts near the gondola lift's mountain station. There, the convivial part begins with brass music, traditional dances, and lively get-togethers — well into the afternoon.

Highlights Arberkirchweih 2026

Mountain service against the backdrop of the Bavarian Forest at an altitude of 1,437 m, traditional costume pilgrimage, traditional costume and brass music in the mountain huts, panorama extending to the Alps and Bohemia in clear visibility.

Programme Arberkirchweih 2026

Sunday, August 23, 2026

9:30 AM — Pilgrimage with cross procession from the Arberebene mountain rescue hut to the Arber Chapel
10:30 AM — Solemn mountain service at the Arber Chapel (Parish of Lam)
from approx. 12:00 PM — Mountain festival at the Eisensteiner Hütte and at the Arberschutzhaus with brass music, traditional music, and folk dances
afternoon — Wind-down with traditional music and delicacies from the Bavarian Forest

Organizers: Municipality of Lam, Parish of Lam, and Lam Mountain Rescue. In case of bad weather, the service will be held in the chapel; the event takes place regardless of the weather.

Prices Arberkirchweih 2026

Free admission. Round trip on the Arber Gondola Lift approx. €19 (one way) to €22 (round trip). Food and drinks in the mountain huts at usual hut prices (snack from approx. €8).

Practical information

Practical information — Arberkirchweih

Getting there

By car: A 3 exit Wernberg, B 22/B 85 to Lam, then continue to Lohberg/Brennes (paid parking at the valley station of the gondola lift). By train: Train connection to Bayerisch Eisenstein, then bus or hike.

Ascent to the chapel

Comfortably with the Arber Gondola Lift from Brennes (open from approx. 8:30 AM) to the mountain station, from there a few minutes to the chapel. Hikers can ascend via the Arberebene mountain rescue hut (~1 hour ascent).

Admission

Free admission. Round trip on the gondola lift costs approx. €19–€22 (mountain + valley). Tips for the brass bands are welcome.

Weather tip

On the Großer Arber, it can be noticeably cool, foggy, or rainy even in August. Sturdy footwear and weatherproof clothing are essential. In case of bad weather, the service will be moved to the chapel.

The oldest mountain Kirchweih in the Bavarian Forest

Since 1965, the Arberkirchweih has been celebrated on the summit of the Großer Arber, the highest mountain in the Bavarian Forest. The small Arber Chapel, located not far from the mountain station of the gondola lift, is the venue for one of the region's most traditional religious festivals. The mountain Kirchweih is organized by the municipality of Lam (Cham district) and the Lam mountain rescue service in cooperation with the local parish.

Pilgrimage, Mountain Service, and Sociability

The day begins at 9:30 AM with the traditional pilgrimage from the Arberebene mountain rescue hut up to the chapel. At 10:30 AM, pilgrims celebrate the solemn mountain service together with the priest from Lam against the backdrop of the Bavarian Forest. In good weather, the view is breathtaking: to the south, it extends to the Alps; to the north, deep into neighboring Czechia.

Folk festival at 1,400 meters altitude

After the service, the event moves to the two mountain huts, Eisensteiner Hütte and Arberschutzhaus, both located near the gondola lift's mountain station. Here, the Kirchweih becomes a convivial mountain festival: traditional brass music from the Bavarian Forest and neighboring Bohemia, folk dances in traditional costume, and Franconian and Bavarian delicacies. The colorful traditional costumes of the folk dance groups from the Lamer Winkel and the Kötztinger Land create a special spectacle.

The Großer Arber — Holy Mountain of the Bavarian Forest

The Großer Arber is considered the king of the Bavarian Forest. The small Arber Chapel was built in the 19th century and is a pilgrimage destination for believers from the entire Lamer Winkel, neighboring Bohemia, and beyond. The mountain Kirchweih uniquely combines Catholic piety, pilgrimage tradition, and East Bavarian folk culture.