German-American Volksfest Hohenfels

Volksfest on the Training Area

The German-American Volksfest Hohenfels is one of Bavaria's most unusual folk festivals: it takes place on the festival grounds within the Hohenfels Training Area – one of Germany's largest military training areas, spanning around 160 km², operated by the US Army Garrison Bavaria. Every year, a part of the otherwise restricted area transforms into an open festival ground for a celebratory weekend, where US soldiers, their families, and the population of the Upper Palatinate celebrate together.

2026: Double Anniversary 250 + 75

The 51st edition in 2026 will exceptionally take place in early July – not at the usual time in late April. The reason is a double anniversary: 250 years of US Independence (July 4, 1776) and 75 years of expansion of the Hohenfels Training Area. The US Army Garrison has deliberately scheduled the festival for the weekend around July 4th, the US national holiday. The festival is organized by the Morale, Welfare and Recreation department of the US Garrison.

Program and Attractions

Classic elements of a Volksfest meet American festival character: an amusement park with carousels, a roller coaster, and showman's booths, a large festival tent offering Bavarian and American cuisine (draft beer, pretzels, but also BBQ and burgers), live music, a stage with German and US-American acts, and – as a special feature – bus tours across the training area, making normally inaccessible areas open to the public. Additionally, there are exhibitions by the US Army and the Bundeswehr with military vehicles, equipment, and information stands.

History and Cultural Significance

The German-American Volksfest in Hohenfels has been celebrated for over 50 years and is a symbol of the close connection between the US Army and the Upper Palatinate population. Alongside the German-American Volksfest in Grafenwöhr, it is one of the two major examples of this unique festival culture within Germany: it combines Bavarian Volksfest traditions with the character of an American Independence Day celebration and represents a neighborly relationship that has grown over decades.

What to Expect

• Amusement park with carousels, showman's and game booths
• Festival tent with Bavarian and American cuisine, draft beer, and live music
• Bus tours across the otherwise restricted training area
• Exhibitions by the US Army and Bundeswehr with military vehicles
• Stage with German and US-American bands
• Double anniversary in 2026: 250 years of US Independence and 75 years of training area expansion