Freisinger Palmdult

Freisinger Palmdult — when spring arrives

When the cathedral sparrows circle loudly over the Domberg again and the first pussy willows bloom, it's time for the Palmdult in Freising. The name refers to the pussy willows (Upper German "Palm") as a symbol of spring — the Dult traditionally marks the final stretch before Easter and has been part of the Freising annual calendar for generations.

Freising — Episcopal City in the Freising District

Freising is the capital of the district of the same name in the state of Bavaria and is located north of Munich, at the intersection between Munich's commuter belt and the Hallertau hop-growing region. The city, with its distinctive Domberg (cathedral hill), the Episcopal Palace, and the Weihenstephan brewery (the oldest still existing brewery in the world), is one of the most traditional civic cities in Old Bavaria. It is precisely in this historic cityscape that the Palmdult takes place — an important piece of city centre identity.

Assortment and Stalls

Around 50 stalls are set up on Marienplatz and Obere Hauptstraße during the Dult. The assortment is a classic Southern German Dult mix:

• Household and kitchenware (pans, pots, knives, kitchen gadgets)
• Textiles and socks
• Jewellery, leather goods, handicrafts
• Sweets (Magenbrot, candied almonds, gingerbread)
• Food stalls with Dult bratwurst and steak rolls

There is a small children's carousel for younger guests. Aktive City Freising is simultaneously organizing the Easter Egg Haferl Market with crafts related to Easter.

Sunday Shopping

A special feature of the Palmdult is the simultaneous Sunday shopping event. Almost all Freising city centre shops are open on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. — the Dult thus becomes a vehicle for revitalizing the entire city centre and is one of the most important events for the local retail trade in spring.

Three Dult Dates in the Freising Year

The Palmdult is not the only Dult date in the city calendar. In summer, the Spring Dult follows, and in autumn, the Kirchweihdult (in 2026 from October 10th to 12th) — the trio is among the firmly established events organized by the city marketing in the Freising district.