Bad Bodenteich Castle Festival and Spectacle
28th Castle Festival at Bodenteich Castle with Walpurgis Night, Maypole Raising, Medieval Market, and Jousting Tournament
About Bad Bodenteich Castle Spectacle
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28 Years of Castle Festival at Bodenteich Castle
Since 1998, the Castle Festival and Spectacle has annually transformed the medieval moated castle of Bad Bodenteich into a journey through time. The 28th edition in 2026 takes place from April 30 to May 3 and spans four days with different thematic focuses. The castle itself, one of the few surviving moated castles in Lower Saxony, provides the ideal backdrop: massive walls, the moat, the castle courtyard, and the surrounding meadows give the festival its special authenticity.
Walpurgis Night to Kick Off
Thursday evening (April 30) opens with the Walpurgis Night and Beltane celebration from 5:00 PM to midnight. This Celtic-Germanic transitional rite between winter and summer is celebrated with bonfires, drum music, and dances. The atmosphere is mystical and dark – witches, druids, and shadowy figures move across the castle, flames illuminate the night. An experience that sets a special mood for the opening.
May Festival on Friday
Friday, May 1 (11:00 AM–9:00 PM) is dedicated to the May Festival with the traditional raising of the Maypole in the castle courtyard. Dancing, music, and spring customs accompany the ceremony. While the Walpurgis Night marks the dark transition, May Day celebrates the victory of light and growing nature.
Medieval Market and Jousting Tournament
On Saturday (1:00 PM–10:00 PM) and Sunday (11:00 AM–6:00 PM), the full spectacle unfolds. An international jousting troupe from Bohemia presents spectacular jousts and show fights. Falconers demonstrate the art of bird of prey training with peregrine falcons, buzzards, and owls. Jesters, fire-eaters, and musicians entertain the castle, while over 50 craftsmen and traders offer their wares: blacksmiths, leatherworkers, potters, wool spinners, bow makers.
Medieval Cuisine and Music
Food is served in period style: roasted suckling pigs and wild boar hocks, mead and beer from tankards, bread from wood-fired ovens, flatbreads, and cheese. Music groups with hurdy-gurdy, bagpipes, shawms, and drums provide the acoustic accompaniment – from quiet monastic chants to powerful market melodies.
Children's Program
A special program is prepared for children: archery, coin striking, face painting as knights or princesses, hands-on crafts, and campfire stories. This makes the Castle Spectacle a multigenerational family festival.
Bad Bodenteich Castle Spectacle — edition 2026
The official Bodenteich Castle website and medieval market portals (mittelaltermarkt.online, volksfeste-in-deutschland.de) confirm the four-day structure and program points for 2026. The Walpurgis Night and the May Festival are fixed components, and the Bohemian knightly troupe is a long-standing program highlight.
Programme Bad Bodenteich Castle Spectacle 2026
Thursday, April 30, 2026 — Walpurgis Night and Beltane
- 5:00 PM–12:00 AM: Mystical opening festival with bonfires, drum music, dances
- Druids, witches, light shows, and campfires on the castle grounds
- Medieval food and mead
Friday, May 1, 2026 — May Festival
- 11:00 AM–9:00 PM: May Festival in the castle courtyard
- Solemn raising of the Maypole
- Dancing and spring customs, music groups with bagpipes and hurdy-gurdy
Saturday, May 2, 2026 — Main Festival
- 1:00 PM–10:00 PM: Medieval market with over 50 stalls (blacksmiths, potters, leatherworkers, wool spinners)
- Knightly Troupe from Bohemia: Jousting and show fights
- Falconry Display: Peregrine falcons, buzzards, owls
- Jesters, fire-eaters, musicians
- Camp life with historical catering
Sunday, May 3, 2026 — Closing
- 11:00 AM–6:00 PM: Last market day with all demonstrations
- Children's program: Archery, coin striking, face painting
- Family program and farewell tournament in the afternoon
Highlights Bad Bodenteich Castle Spectacle 2026
Prices Bad Bodenteich Castle Spectacle 2026
Practical information — Bad Bodenteich Castle Spectacle
Location
Bodenteich Castle, Burgstraße, 29389 Bad Bodenteich (Samtgemeinde Aue, Uelzen District).
Date 2026
Thursday, April 30: 5:00 PM–12:00 AM (Walpurgis Night/Beltane). Friday, May 1: 11:00 AM–9:00 PM (May Festival with Maypole). Saturday, May 2: 1:00 PM–10:00 PM. Sunday, May 3: 11:00 AM–6:00 PM.
Admission
Free admission. Food and market goods are paid for on-site.
Getting There
Bad Bodenteich is located on the B 191 between Uelzen and Wittingen. By car via the A 39 (Wittingen exit) and country roads. Bad Bodenteich train station on the Uelzen–Stendal line is within walking distance.
Note
Medieval attire is welcome but not mandatory. Individual program items may be adjusted in case of extreme weather.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Bad Bodenteich Castle Spectacle al mejor precio.
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