Name: Bürgerfest 650 Years of Grafenau Town 2026
Start: 2026-05-14T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-05-14T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Stadtplatz Grafenau und KurErlebnispark BÄREAL

650 Years Grafenau

About 650 Years Grafenau

On May 14, 1376, Emperor Charles IV granted Grafenau town rights – exactly 650 years later, the Bear City in the Bavarian Forest celebrated this anniversary with a grand citizens' festival. A historic procession with 44 floats and groups, tracing the epochs of the town's history from medieval salt traders through town fires to the present day, a festive church service, two stages at the Stadtplatz and in the KurErlebnispark BÄREAL, and the opening by Minister President Markus Söder made May 14, 2026, the highlight of an entire anniversary year.

Dates 14 May — 14 May 2026

Venue Grafenau (09272)

Prices Free

Status Finished

Edition 2026

650 Years Grafenau — edition 2026

On May 14, 2026 – exactly 650 years after being granted town status – Grafenau celebrated its grand citizens' festival. A historic procession with 44 floats and groups retraced the town's history, Minister President Markus Söder opened the festival at the Stadtplatz, complemented by a festive church service, two stages, a children's program, and the premiere of the new town anthem.

May 14, 2026, marked the highlight of the anniversary year "650 Years of Grafenau Town." A festive church service in the town parish church, the historic procession with 44 themed groups from the school center through the town, and the opening by Minister President Markus Söder in the honorary carriage characterized the day. Music and cultural programs were presented on two stages at the Stadtplatz and in the KurErlebnispark BÄREAL, along with street artists, a children's program, and culinary stations. The entire town center transformed into a festival mile.

Highlights 650 Years Grafenau 2026

Historic procession with 44 floats, opening by Minister President Markus Söder in the honorary carriage, premiere of the new town anthem by Marco Schober, Folk Rock'n'Roll Party, bands TILT and Richie & The Elevators, children's program in the KurErlebnispark BÄREAL.

Programme 650 Years Grafenau 2026

Thursday, May 14, 2026 — Festival Day

09:00 AM — Festive church service in the town parish church
11:00 AM — Grand historic procession with 44 themed groups and floats, starting at the school center through the town (medieval salt traders, town fires, modern times)
12:00 PM — Official opening at the Stadtplatz by Minister President Markus Söder and Mayor Jonas Höcker
following — Premiere of the new town anthem, sung by Marco Schober
Stage program Stadtplatz — Folk Rock'n'Roll Party with Andreas Gabalier Double, salute by the Bürgerwehr (citizens' guard), pyrotechnic surprises, band TILT, band "Richie & The Elevators"
Stage / BÄREAL — Bärtl Bär and Woid-Rap, XXL games, magic shows, bouncy castles, info stations, museum family program, puppet theater, street artists
all day — Numerous culinary stations in the town center and KurErlebnispark BÄREAL

On the previous evening, May 13, 2026, a ceremonial act for invited guests took place.

Prices 650 Years Grafenau 2026

Admission to the citizens' festival was free. Food and drinks were offered at numerous culinary stations in the town center and the KurErlebnispark BÄREAL.

Practical information

Practical information — 650 Years Grafenau

Getting There

Grafenau is located in the Freyung-Grafenau district, near the Bavarian Forest National Park, accessible via the B85 and by the Waldbahn railway (Grafenau station). The festival activities are concentrated on the Stadtplatz and the KurErlebnispark BÄREAL in the town center.

Admission

Admission to the citizens' festival is free. Food and drinks are available at the culinary stations on site.

Tip

The 2026 anniversary year offers numerous events beyond the citizens' festival – salt trader festivals, concerts, and exhibitions. The town's event calendar is continuously updated.

650 Years of Town Rights for the Bear City

On May 14, 1376, Emperor Charles IV elevated Grafenau to a town – the settlement had become an important hub and trading post for the salt trade, the "white gold" that was considered an expensive spice and preservative at the time. 650 years later, the municipality known as the "Bear City" in the Freyung-Grafenau district of the Bavarian Forest celebrated this anniversary with a grand citizens' festival.

The Historic Procession

The centerpiece of the celebration was an impressive procession with 44 themed groups and floats, which paraded through the town from the school center. The groups brought the epochs of Grafenau's history to life: from medieval salt traders through the periods of town fires to modern times. Clubs, music bands, and historical groups from the region participated.

Opening by the Minister President

Bavarian Minister President Markus Söder rode in the honorary carriage alongside Mayor Jonas Höcker and opened the citizens' festival around noon at the Stadtplatz. Söder emphasized that the "soul of Bavaria" lies in rural areas and praised the voluntary commitment without which such a festival would not be possible.

A Festival for the Whole Town

A festive church service in the town parish church, several stages with music and cultural programs, street artists, children's activities with bouncy castles, puppet theater, and magic shows, the premiere of a new town anthem by singer Marco Schober, and culinary stations transformed the town center and the KurErlebnispark BÄREAL into a festival mile. The entire year 2026 is dedicated to the anniversary – with concerts, salt trader festivals, historical exhibitions, cabaret evenings, and partner city meetings.