Name: Burgfest Hilpoltstein 2026
Start: 2026-07-31T00:00:00+00:00
End: 2026-08-03T00:00:00+00:00
Location: Altstadt und Festwiese Hilpoltstein

Burgfest

About Burgfest

The Burgfest Hilpoltstein is one of the most traditional Volksfeste in the Roth district of Middle Franconia. Since 1927, the town has commemorated the entry of Countess Palatine Dorothea Maria, who took up residence in Hilpoltstein Castle in 1606 as a widow, with a grand pageant and a historical procession. On the festival Sunday, the entire old town transforms into a backdrop of the early 17th century: hundreds of citizens in historical costumes march to the festival grounds. In addition, a large flea market, the castle play in the castle ruins, the tub race, the Burgfest run, a beer tent, and an amusement park attract visitors from all over the region.

Dates 31 Jul — 03 Aug 2026

Venue Hilpoltstein (09576)

Prices Free

Status Confirmed

Edition 2026

Burgfest — edition 2026

The Burgfest Hilpoltstein 2026 will take place from July 31 to August 3, 2026, in the old town and on the festival grounds. The highlight is the historical procession on festival Sunday in honour of Countess Palatine Dorothea Maria. The castle play in the castle ruins will feature Neil Simon's comedy "The Odd Couple" in 2026. In addition, there will be a flea market, tub race, Burgfest run, beer tent, and amusement park.

The 2026 edition of the Burgfest spans four days. It kicks off with the flea market, amusement park, and beer tent, while the festival Sunday features the grand pageant and the historical procession through the old town to the festival grounds. Hundreds of participants in costumes from the early 17th century celebrate the entry of Countess Palatine Dorothea Maria. In the castle ruins, Neil Simon's comedy "The Odd Couple" will be performed in 2026. Sporting highlights include the traditional tub race and the Burgfest run with several distances.

Highlights Burgfest 2026

Historical pageant and procession in honour of Countess Palatine Dorothea Maria on festival Sunday, castle play "The Odd Couple" in the castle ruins, traditional tub race, large flea market, and Burgfest run.

Programme Burgfest 2026

Friday, July 31

Opening of the Burgfest with beer tent and amusement park
Castle play in the castle ruins: "The Odd Couple" by Neil Simon

Saturday, August 1

Large flea market in several streets of the old town (approx. 40 stalls, approx. 9:00 AM–4:00 PM)
Tub race
Castle play in the castle ruins

Sunday, August 2

Craft market with handmade goods, jewellery, wood carvings, and regional specialities
Grand pageant and historical procession in honour of Countess Palatine Dorothea Maria – the entire old town in costumes from the early 17th century, procession to the festival grounds
Burgfest run with several distances

Monday, August 3

Winding down in the beer tent and on the festival grounds
Castle play in the castle ruins

Prices Burgfest 2026

Admission to the old town, flea market, and festival grounds is free. Tickets are required for the castle play in the castle ruins; prices and advance booking via hilpoltstein.de or Tourist-Info (Tel. 09174 978-505).

Practical information

Practical information — Burgfest

Getting There

Hilpoltstein is located in the Roth district between Nuremberg and Roth. By car via the A9 (Allersberg exit) or the B2. Hilpoltstein can be reached by train via the Gredl Railway from Roth.

Admission

Admission to the old town, flea market, and festival grounds is free. Admission fees apply for the castle play in the castle ruins. Current information at hilpoltstein.de.

Tips

The historical procession takes place on the festival Sunday – those who want to experience this highlight should choose their visiting day accordingly. The large flea market traditionally takes place on Saturday.

Almost 100 Years of Living History

The Burgfest Hilpoltstein is one of the oldest and most atmospheric Volksfeste in Middle Franconia. Since 1927, the town in the Roth district, in the state of Bavaria, has celebrated the memory of Countess Palatine Dorothea Maria. In 1582, she married Count Palatine Ott-Heinrich of Palatinate-Neuburg and received Hilpoltstein along with the offices of Heideck and Allersberg as her widow's seat. Two years after her husband's death, the then 44-year-old widow moved into Hilpoltstein Castle in 1606 with her three daughters – an event that is reenacted annually to this day.

The Pageant and the Historical Procession

The centrepiece of the Burgfest is the grand pageant followed by the historical procession. On the festival Sunday, "an entire town" dons costumes from the early 17th century to worthily celebrate the magnificent entry of the Countess Palatine. In historical costumes, the participants march through the old town to the festival grounds, which were once laid out by the Countess herself. The procession is considered an emotional highlight and is accompanied by music bands and traditional costume groups.

Castle Play in the Castle Ruins

Since 1946, amateur actors have been performing the traditional castle play against the backdrop of the castle ruins. The 2026 production will be the comedy "The Odd Couple" by Neil Simon. The performances in front of the historical ruins are among the regular programme items of the festival week.

Flea Market, Tub Race, and Volksfest Atmosphere

Around the pageant, the Burgfest offers a diverse programme: A large flea market with around 40 stalls stretches across several streets, offering crafts, textiles, books, and food. On the festival Sunday, a craft market complements the offerings with handmade goods, jewellery, wood carvings, and regional specialities. Popular highlights include the traditional tub race, the Burgfest run with several distances, as well as an amusement park with rides and a well-attended beer tent. Thus, the Burgfest Hilpoltstein combines vibrant historical preservation with exuberant Volksfest atmosphere.