Dorffest Obersöchering

Assumption Day – Festival Day in Upper Bavaria

In Upper Bavaria, Assumption Day (August 15) is a public holiday in predominantly Catholic communities – and thus a typical date for village festivals. Obersöchering, a small municipality in the Weilheim-Schongau district in the Pfaffenwinkel, celebrates its village festival annually on this day, organized by the local costume association. In 2026, August 15 falls on a Saturday – meaning double the festive atmosphere.

Costumes and Traditions

Costume and preservation associations are the custodians of village traditions in Upper Bavaria. They organize parades, maintain traditional costumes, practice Schuhplattler (a traditional Bavarian folk dance) and Boarischer Tanz, and manage club life. The Obersöchering village festival is a typical example: a festive church service, a parade, catering in the festival tent, and folk entertainment elements characterize the day.

Pfaffenwinkel – the Catholic Pre-Alpine Landscape

The Pfaffenwinkel is a traditional Catholic region in southern Upper Bavaria, characterized by numerous churches, monasteries, and pilgrimage sites (Wieskirche near Steingaden, Rottenbuch, Andechs not far away). The tradition of Assumption Day has particular depth here – the St. John's wort is collected, the churches are festively decorated, and the villages celebrate.

Obersöchering – a Pfaffenwinkel Village

Obersöchering has around 1,500 inhabitants and is located in the rolling pre-Alpine landscape between Murnau and Weilheim. The view of the Ammergau Alps, the quiet location, and the active club life (costume association, marksmen, fire brigade) make the place a typical Pfaffenwinkel village. The village festival on the feast day of Mary is the central social event of the year.