Drachselsried Kirwa
One of the largest Kirchweih festivals in the Bavarian Forest — 52nd edition
About Drachselsried Kirwa
Travel to this festival
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One of the Largest Kirwas in the Bavarian Forest
The Drachselsried Kirwa is a folk festival that stands in a class of its own in the Bavarian Forest. It is one of the largest and most traditional Kirchweih festivals in the region — the Zellertal with its villages has a particularly intense folk festival culture, of which Drachselsried hosts the largest event. Hundreds of visitors come from all over the Bavarian Forest and beyond, with over 150 market vendors offering their goods on Saturday.
52nd Edition on the Last Weekend of August
In 2026, the 52nd edition will be celebrated — four days of festivities from Friday, August 28, to Monday, August 31. The festival is organized by the market community of Drachselsried and local associations, who have been organizing the event in this form for over five decades. The date on the last weekend of August has been fixed for a long time.
Friday Evening — Beer Tapping and Parade
The festival begins on Friday evening, August 28, with a concert by the Spielmannszug Zellertal on the village square. Afterwards, the brewery wagon parade forms with a festively decorated brewery wagon, traditional costume groups, and music bands, which enters the festival hall. This is followed by the traditional mayor's beer tapping and the start of the festival.
Saturday — Patronal Feast of St. Aegidius and Large Market
Saturday, August 29, is the highlight of the festival week. At 9:00 AM, the festive church service for the patronal feast of St. Aegidius, the patron saint of the Drachselsried parish church, begins — Aegidius is the patron saint of hermits, travelers, foresters, and nursing mothers, a central saintly figure in the forest landscapes of the Bavarian Forest. Afterwards, parish processions move through the village. All day long, the large market with over 150 vendors runs — one of the largest market events in the region with craftsmen, food vendors, artisans, and traditional costume items.
Sunday — Festival Operations and Family Day, Monday — Nachkirwa
On Sunday, August 30, festival operations run all day with a morning pint, an afternoon for seniors, a family program, and live music in the festival tent. Monday, August 31, is the traditional Nachkirwa — the quieter, more intimate end of the festival, where the locals of Drachselsried celebrate their own festival day.
Drachselsried and the Zellertal
Drachselsried is a market community with just under 2,400 inhabitants in the Regen district, idyllically located in the Zellertal valley between Großer Arber and Kaitersberg. The Zellertal is one of the most beautiful valleys in the Bavarian Forest, with dense forests, clear streams, and a strong club culture. Visitors to the Kirwa should combine their stay with a hike to the Arber, a tour to the Hohenbogen, or a visit to the Drachselsried glassworks.
Drachselsried Kirwa — edition 2026
The 52nd Drachselsried Kirwa 2026 starts on Friday, August 28, from 5:00 PM with a concert by the Spielmannszug Zellertal on the village square. Afterwards, the traditional brewery wagon parade forms with a festively decorated wagon, traditional costume groups, and music bands, which enters the festival hall. There, the mayor's beer tapping follows.
Saturday, August 29: Festive church service for the patronal feast of St. Aegidius at 9 AM in the parish church, followed by a parish procession. All day long, the large market in the center of Drachselsried with over 150 vendors. In the festival tent: live music and festival beer.
Sunday, August 30: Morning pint, senior afternoon, family program, and festival evening. Monday, August 31: Traditional Nachkirwa with the end of the festival.
Programme Drachselsried Kirwa 2026
52nd Drachselsried Kirwa August 28–31, 2026
Friday, August 28, 2026 — Festival Kick-off
- Late Afternoon — 5:00 PM Concert by the Spielmannszug Zellertal on the village square
- Following — Brewery Wagon Parade with festival floats, traditional costume groups, and music bands, entry into the festival hall
- Festival Kick-off — Mayor's Beer Tapping, opening of the festival tent operations
Saturday, August 29, 2026 — Patronal Feast of St. Aegidius and Market
- 9:00 AM — Festive Church Service for the Patronal Feast of St. Aegidius in the parish church, followed by a parish procession through the village
- All Day — Large Market with over 150 Vendors: Craftsmen, food vendors, handicrafts, traditional costume items
- Lunch and Evening — Festival tent with live music, festival beer, and snacks
Sunday, August 30, 2026 — Festival Day and Family Program
- Morning — Morning pint with folk music
- Afternoon — Senior afternoon and family program
- Evening — Grand festival evening in the festival tent
Monday, August 31, 2026 — Nachkirwa
- Traditional Nachkirwa with the end of the festival
- Festival evening with brass music and dance groups
A detailed program will be announced in advance by the market community of Drachselsried and local associations on the community website and at arberkultur.de.
Highlights Drachselsried Kirwa 2026
Prices Drachselsried Kirwa 2026
Practical information — Drachselsried Kirwa
Getting There
Drachselsried is located in the Regen district of the Bavarian Forest, about 130 km north of Munich. By car via the A92 (Deggendorf exit), then the B11 to Bodenmais and continue into the Zellertal. Limited train access: nearest train stations are Bodenmais or Bayerisch Eisenstein, from there by bus or taxi. Parking available in the town center and at the festival grounds.
Admission
Admission to the festival grounds, tent, and market is free. Food and drinks at folk festival prices, festival beer on tap at usual prices. Individual live concerts may have separate admission fees.
Tips
Saturday with the market is the busiest day — arrive early, especially for parking. Friday evening with the brewery wagon parade and beer tapping offers the most emotionally intense start to the festival. Sunday morning with the morning pint is quieter and ideal for families. Monday's Nachkirwa is more for locals, but very atmospheric for tourists.
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Travel to this festival
Reserva tu tren o autobús para llegar a Drachselsried Kirwa al mejor precio.
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Where it takes place Drachselsried Kirwa
Dorfplatz und Festhalle Drachselsried (Bayerischer Wald)
Dorfplatz und Festhalle Drachselsried, 94256 Drachselsried